For ASTHMA, green tea extract reduces inflammation and is a powerful antioxidant, addressing two major causes of reactive airway disorders. Green tea extract is rich with beneficial anti-inflammatory and broncho-dilatory properties that help to open the airways, improve air flow, ease chest tightness, and reduce mucus production and coughing. An extract of green tea supports overall respiratory health by protecting lung tissue from oxidative injury and inflammation.

Asthma is characterized by oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in the airways which occur when there is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants to neutralize them.

Green tea is full of antioxidants, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which belongs to a potent group of antioxidant compounds called catechins. In studies, EGCG has been shown to suppress the oxidative damage that contributes to airway narrowing.¹ By reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, green tea can decrease the sensitivity of the bronchial linings to triggers and reduce airway hyper-responsiveness. Studies have shown that green tea extract can lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, mediators that trigger inflammation, thus reducing inflammatory cell counts and oxidative damage in the airway and lungs.²

Oxidative stress occurs when free radicals exceed the body’s antioxidant capacity to neutralize them and cause damage to tissues. Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that either form naturally during normal metabolic processes, such as clearing cellular waste, exercise, mounting an inflammatory response; or result from external environmental sources such as processed foods, air pollutants, drugs, and industrial chemicals. These unstable oxygen molecules have split into single atoms with unpaired electrons. Since electrons like to exist in pairs, these free radicals roam the body to seek out other electrons to pair with. This attachment of rogue oxygen to the electrons of molecules in the tissues causes oxidative damage to cells, lipids, proteins, and DNA.

A balance between free radicals and antioxidants to neutralize them is necessary for healthy lung function. The body is mostly equipped to handle free radicals, but if their number is excessive, or if the body’s innate antioxidants become overwhelmed or are insufficient to disempower these unstable compounds, then the free radicals get the upper hand and can injure tissues. This is called oxidative stress.

Research confirms that antioxidants function by scavenging then binding up or neutralizing harmful free oxygen radicals, to protect against oxidative injury and cellular destruction. Given the weighty role of oxidative stress in asthma and the pathogenesis of many ailments, antioxidant treatment can dramatically improve lung function and positively change the natural history of major chronic degenerative diseases.

Beyond its antioxidant effects, green tea extract appears to alter inflammatory pathways; research suggests it can inhibit signaling molecules and certain enzymes that drive the inflammatory response. Inflammation is one of the core issues in asthma, leading to swelling and narrowing of the airways: thus, by directly affecting the inflammatory pathways, airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation can be reduced.

Green tea extract also helps to reduce the hyperproduction of mucus which is another common asthma symptom. Research using physiological tissue models of allergic asthma has shown that green tea extract significantly inhibits asthmatic inflammation and mucus over-secretion triggered by irritants like ovalbumin (OVA) inhalation.³

In addition, green tea extract can gently open bronchial passages to make breathing easier. Green tea contains caffeine, and caffeine has a chemical structure related to theophylline, a bronchodilator sometimes used in asthma treatment which helps to offer short-term relief from airway constriction.

In our clinic, we find that sufficiently high concentrations of the active constituents of green tea extract are needed to relieve asthma. Our asthma patients have reported significant improvements in the intensity and frequency of chest tightness, cough, wheezing, and mucus production, with a formula containing the therapeutic epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG at 45% or 165mg per capsule. This is equivalent to 3 cups of green tea but without the tea’s 120mg of caffeine. We prefer a formula that also brings the benefits of theanine, lignans, and chlorophyll with whole leaf green tea for extra antioxidant and lung benefits.

Although a nice warm cup of green tea does not offer useful doses of therapeutic ingredients, it can be soothing for a sore throat or congestion — plus staying hydrated is important for managing mucus.

Recommendation: Green tea extract 300 to 400 mg, including the medicinal compounds epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG at an ideal 45%, along with therapeutically potent polyphenols including catechin, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate, and proanthocyanidins, and whole green tea leaf. Take once or twice daily, with breakfast or lunch, or as directed by your health provider.

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