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Allergy Phoenix Cure: Black Tea

Can natural chemicals found in black tea help allergy sufferers get some relief? According to a new study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, compounds called theaflavins, found in black tea, could help in the treatment of certain types of allergies.

What are Black Tea Theaflavins?

Theaflavins are polyphenols naturally present in black tea but not in green tea. Like the polyphenols in green tea, black tea theaflavins have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may be effective for treating some types of allergies.

Can the Theaflavins in Black Tea Reduce Allergy Symptoms?

Researchers in Japan found that two black tea theaflavins protected mice against a type of allergy known as type 4 or delayed type hypersensitivity allergic reactions. An example of this type of allergic reaction is contact dermatitis, where the symptoms appear twelve to twenty-four hours after exposure.

When mice were fed theaflavins in black tea or injected with them, they didnt show the expected rise in inflammatory cells that would normally be seen with a type 4 allergic reaction. The black tea theaflavins these mice were given seemed to block the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines chemicals associated with allergic reactions.

Can Black Tea Theaflavins Treat Allergic Reactions in Humans?

Its hard to say whether black tea theaflavins can treat type 4 allergic reactions in humans, since this is one of the first studies to show this beneficial effect. If the same benefits are seen in humans, black tea theaflavins might prove helpful for treating the symptoms of an itchy contact dermatitis – or a bout of poison ivy.

Black Tea Theaflavins May Have Other Benefits Too

Black tea usually takes a back seat to green tea when it comes to health, but the unique theaflavins in black tea may have other health benefits as well. Some studies show they reduce cholesterol levels and may slow down the growth of some types of cancer. Theres ongoing research looking at the effects of theaflavins on various conditions as well as the benefits of drinking black tea.

The Bottom Line?

Black tea may not receive the same degree of fanfare as green tea, but it may very well prove to have some unique benefits of its own, and, possibly, play a role in treating allergies.

References:

Arch. Intern. Med. 163 (12): 144853