Imagine yourself at the end of a long day. Perhaps you are just getting home from work and are finally able to set aside your worries, change into your most comfortable clothes, and put your feet up while enjoying some relaxing music.
Yet, try as you might, it is difficult to convince your body to relax. All the tension, aches, and pains you brushed aside during the day refuse to be put to rest. So, what can you do?
Whether you are holding onto tension from a hectic day or are dealing with long-term aches and pains, a simple cup of a tea blend may be able to help soothe your muscle cramps and muscle soreness. Below, we have gathered our recommendations for 5 of the top muscle relaxing tea options to give you some relief.
#1 Turmeric Tea
Turmeric is a spice known for its vibrant yellow color. It comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant and has been used both as a culinary spice and medicinal dried herb for thousands of years. When steeped as in a tea bag, turmeric has a warm, earthy aroma and spicy-sweet flavor.
How, though, can a turmeric tea blend help to relieve your sore muscles? Research has suggested that curcumin, one of the main compounds found in turmeric, has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties that may abate symptoms of inflamed or sore muscles caused by exercise and arthritis.
In addition to diminishing your aches, turmeric is also thought to reduce anxiety, meaning this dried herb tea tea may deliver the perfect infusion of mental and physical relief.*
#2 Ginger Tea
Similar to turmeric, ginger tea is made from the root of a flowering plant, Zingiber officinale. Both ginger and turmeric also come from the Zingiberaceae plant family. If you are an admirer of this aromatic tea, you may be wondering if the similarities go even further. Can ginger tea provide the same benefits as turmeric?
Well, you will be relieved to know that this tea may be just as calming for your aches and pains as turmeric tea.* One study demonstrated that ginger may be effective when it comes to reducing muscle pain.
With a sweet, zingy flavor and slightly spicy aroma, a cup of ginger tea is also sure to brighten your day.
#3 Rooibos Tea
Curious about the various rooibos tea benefits? This herbal tea is produced from the leaves of Aspalathus linearis, a bush native to South Africa. Though most people are familiar with rooibos as a red tea, it actually comes in two different forms.
- Red rooibos – The most common form of rooibos tea, red rooibos, is made by fermenting the leaves of the bush. When steeped, the fermented leaves produce tea with a vibrant crimson color and a smooth, naturally sweet taste.
- Green rooibos – Made from the dried, unfermented leaves of the same plant, green rooibos has a slightly milder and more grassy flavor similar to other green teas.
Regardless of which form of rooibos you prefer, both are rich with the flavonoids aspalathin and nothofagin — antioxidants that are thought to be helpful in reducing muscle pain caused by inflammation. When you are looking to both lull your aches and please your palate, a cup of rooibos tea may be the balm you need.*
#4 Green Tea
Wondering is green tea good for you?Steeped from the dried leaves of the Camellia sinensis bush, green tea is a favorite among many tea drinkers around the world. It might come as a surprise to you, then, that this well-loved staple may also help alleviate aches and pains.
What does science tell us about the benefits of green tea for sore muscles?
Due to its plentiful supply of polyphenols, green tea is thought to provide anti-inflammatory effects and may even help with chronic inflammation. If your aches and pains are ongoing and you are seeking the comfort of a familiar flavor, green tea may be your perfect solution.*
#5 Peppermint Tea
One of the most popular herbal teas, peppermint tea, is steeped from the leaves of Mentha piperita L. With a cool, minty flavor and scent, a cup of peppermint tea can certainly help you feel more refreshed after a long day.
What, however, can it do to relieve and relax your muscle cramps and sore muscles?
Research has suggested that peppermint may provide anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving benefits.* If your aches and pains often involve your stomach, a cup of peppermint tea may be especially helpful in easing your ailment, as peppermint has been shown to reduce muscle spasms and pain associated with:
- Indigestion
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Other abdominal pain
Feel Your Best With The Republic of Tea
Once you finally have the time to wind down, calm your mind, and reset, the last thing you want is to have your relaxation interrupted by the aches and pains you carry with you each day. Fortunately, you can reach for a delicious and aromatic cup of tea to attain the rest and relaxation you deserve.
When seeking relief and relaxation, turn to The Republic of Tea. Our premium selection of calming, muscle-soothing teas can help your body and mind unwind so that you can start each new day feeling refreshed and rejuvenated whether it be with a chai tea or achamomile tea.
Sources:
PubMed. Curcumin: A Review of Its Effects on Human Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5664031/
PubMed. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) reduces muscle pain caused by eccentric exercise. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20418184/
PubMed. Studies of anti-inflammatory effects of Rooibos tea in rats. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19419525/
PubMed. Green Tea Extracts Epigallocatechin-3-gallate for Different Treatments. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5572593/
PubMed. Medicinal Plants of the Family Lamiaceae in Pain Therapy: A Review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5964621/
PubMed. A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea (Mentha piperita L.). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16767798/
