Black Tea Health Benefits

| Modified on Dec 01, 2021
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Black Tea Cures

A soothing drink, black tea is a known remedy for a variety of conditions. With a plethora of beneficial nutrients and components, the tea is effective for supporting overall health and preventing disease. Black tea is quite versatile and can be drunk hot or cold with the same healthful benefits.

What Is Black Tea?

Derived from the Camellia sinesis bush, black tea comes from the leaves of the plant. Black tea gets its characteristic name and color from a process called oxidation. During this process, the tea leaves are exposed to moist, oxygen-rich air, which allows the leaves to oxidize and turn from green to a dark brownish-black color.

A tea often selected for its health benefits, black tea offers an assortment of nutrients. Full of health components known as polyphenols, the tea is an effective antioxidant that protects the cells from damage. The tea also possesses a number of vitamins and minerals including riboflavin, folate, magnesium, potassium, copper and manganese.

Health Benefits of Black Tea

With its array of nutrients and antioxidants, black tea is effective for treating a variety of conditions and promoting health. Most beneficial when sipped without milk or sugar, black tea is highly concentrated and delivers a powerful punch of health benefits.

As the tea contains a respectable amount of caffeine and the stimulating substance theophylline, black tea is often used as an energy-booster and fatigue reducer. It also helps prevent several types of cancer and may reduce the risk of heart attack. Black tea can also be used to regulate diabetes, high cholesterol, kidney stones, Parkinson’s disease, osteoporosis and lung cancer. The active compounds in the tea also help treat sore eyes, stomach ache, menstrual cramps, vomiting and diarrhea.

With its wide range of health benefits, black tea is more than just a regular refreshment. It is a beneficial health aid and supplement.


Side Effects

2 User Reviews
1 star (2) 
  100%

Posted by Faith (Philadelphia, PA) on 05/09/2007
★☆☆☆☆

I think Black Tea is probably a good remedy for various things, however for me it always upsets my stomach. It either acts as a laxative, gives me terrible gas that feels like I swallowed a bag of knives, or both. Take a small dose to see how it affects you before trying it as a remedy.

Replied by Margie
(Oklahoma)
09/30/2015

I found it does bother my stomach as well but I found if I sprinkle a bit of ginger into my tea and use a cold brew kind the stomach issue is either limitied or gone.. I love it instead of coffee in morning and it doesnt seem to affect my arthritis and actually gives me nice even energy and mood enhancing.. too much of a good thing however is not advised..


Side Effects
Posted by Steph (Jacksonville, FL) on 10/17/2006
★☆☆☆☆

I'm responding to the claim that black tea cures an upset stomach. Whenever I drink black tea, I always develop painful gas and bloating and sometimes diarrhea. My grandmother said she has the same problem and that it may be caused by tannins in the tea. Maybe some people just aren't able to break down the chemicals? What does help me when i get a "gas attack" is to get on my knees and stick my butt in the air, focusing on relaxing my abdominal muscles. The posture is a bit ridiculous, but it does help expel the gas after a couple minutes. For an upset stomach, i make a tea of grated ginger, mint, chamomile, or a combination. to that i add organic milk and honey.


Sleep

2 User Reviews
5 star (2) 
  100%

Posted by Mesem (Toulon, France) on 02/12/2011
★★★★★

I have always found that a hot cup of tea (no milk) and not particularly strong helps me to sleep. Perhaps its just the warmth. Same if you wake in the middle of the night.


Sleep
Posted by John (Kanab, Utah) on 02/11/2011
★★★★★

One side effect of drinking a long-brewed cup of black tea (a good side effect) is it makes you sleepy and induces deep slumber. A tea bag of black tea should steep for 10 minutes in a cup of very hot water to get the sedative effect. The tea undergoes a chemical change when brewed for 10 minutes. Most people only brew the tea for 3 minutes which creates a stimulating effect. I usually dream in my sleep after drinking a long-brewed cup. Dreaming is the sign of a deep sleep. The soporific effect of long-brewed black tea is well-known to marathon runners.


Sore or Itchy Eyes

4 User Reviews
5 star (4) 
  100%

Posted by Julie (Fort Wayne, IN) on 12/01/2021
★★★★★

My eyes were sore and scratchy this morning, when I woke up, and I used Adrian's Black Tea remedy from 2008 in both eyes, and also mixed some black tea with saline, and used an eye cup and it felt so good! Within minutes, my eyes felt soothed and the whites of my eyes weren't red anymore. This really does work!!


Sore or Itchy Eyes
Posted by Adrian (Dayboro, Queensland, Australia) on 07/06/2008
★★★★★

If you suffer from sore itchy eyes, make a cup of tea using a tea bag and when the tea bag cools down, place the tea bag on your open eye (two if both eyes) and let sit there for a minute or so. Problem gone. This is an old Aboriginal remedy used by our Indigenous people.

Replied by Nim
(Toronto, Canada)
12/28/2010
★★★★★

Hi Adrian,
My grand mother (originally from India) also said the same. The remedy really does work!

Replied by Jp
(Onalaska, Tx, Usa)
02/10/2012
★★★★★

Yes it does work for itchy eyes and many more problems.


Stomach Ache and Menstrual Cramps

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Mabel (Kampala, Uganda ) on 03/05/2009
★★★★★

Hi, first and foremost i would like to thank EC, am so greatful for this website, it's such a blessing! Black tea has always been my remedy for stomachach and menstrual cramps. One just needs to boil a cup of water, add tea bag and take it hot(not very hot though) with no sugar (sour but helps) or add 1 tsp of honey if you cannot stand the taste. This will solve your stomach problems!


Vomiting, Menstrual Cramps, Diarrhea

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Kristina (Waukesha, WI) on 03/20/2007
★★★★★

Hi, my grandma used to make us drink strong black tea each time we had the flu, as it would stop vomiting and help settle the stomach. I have tried it with green tea as well and it works the same, and usually you don't need more than a few sips before it starts working. Now I don't even wait for the vomiting to start--I go straight for the tea upon first symptoms of the flu. I have also used this remedy for severe menstrual cramps and diahrrea and those times when painful gas gets in the way of elimination. One time I even tried it for a headache and it went away. Works wonders!