Our bodies have a variety of safeguards in place in order to protect us. When faced with invading foreign matter (such as bacteria or viruses) that could damage our cells, our immune systems heed the call and triggers a process call inflammation to protect us from infections. At its core, inflammation is a good thing, and it’s one of the ways in which we’re built to survive.

But sometimes, inflammation in our bodies can happen when we’re not being threatened. When it becomes a chronic recurrence, inflammation has been linked to several major diseases, including arthritis, cancer, heart disease and diabetes. However, you can reduce and fight off inflammation with wholesome, anti-inflammatory foods.

Foods for Inflammation

In general, a diet rich in green leafy vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fatty fish and fruit will naturally reduce levels of inflammation in the body. However, some plants and spices are better than others, containing powerful compounds that can fight the damage to your cells, as well as relieve the pain caused by the condition.

One of the easiest ways to add these herbs and spices to your diet is to drink it as part of your morning or evening tea; it’s a soothing, relaxing way to make sure that your body is keeping healthy. Some of the best teas for inflammation include:

Turmeric Tea

Turmeric is a superfood, and this warm golden-yellow powder has been used for thousands of years in ancient Asian medicinal practices such as Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine. Curcumin, the main active compound in turmeric, is responsible for the many healthy effects of the spice, including its beneficial effect on heart health and brain function and the way it boosts your metabolism. It’s also a significant anti-inflammatory, and has been studied for the way it can relieve arthritic joint pain.

However, curcumin has a low bio-availability, which means that our bodies find it difficult to absorb on its own. The Hot Turmeric Brew tea sachets available from Nature’s Rare are packed with organic Ceylon turmeric and organic black pepper; the pepper contains a bioactive compound called piperine, which helps the body absorb the curcumin. Harvested from the island of Sri Lanka, this organic tea contains no preservatives or added sugar, and is an excellent way to fight off inflammation.

Turmeric and Green Tea

Green tea is another great option for fighting inflammation. Readily available in most supermarkets as both tea bags and as loose tea leaves, green tea has been shown to work well against the symptoms of some inflammatory diseases like Crohn’s disease, as well as against heart disease and some cancers.

However, unlike turmeric tea, green tea contains caffeine. While it’s not nearly at the levels of caffeinated beverages like coffee, it’s enough to keep you awake when you need it. If you’re looking for a healthy energy boost, why not mix the two? Rather than detracting from each other, turmeric and green tea are said to boost each other’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Simply add half a teaspoon of powdered matcha green tea to your cup of Hot Turmeric Brew, and you’ve got a powerful drink to fight inflammation.

Turmeric and Ginger Tea

Ginger is another heavyweight in the world of anti-inflammatory foods. With more than 50 different antioxidant compounds to its name, this root crop is another staple in Asian cooking that has long been known as a solution for anything from nausea to indigestion. Studies have shown that patients who used ginger to treat their osteoarthritis (a condition that causes joints to degenerate) found it to significantly reduce the pain they faced.

To enjoy a turmeric ginger tea at home, steep half a tablespoon of grated ginger with your mug of Hot Turmeric Brew or add a bag of Nature’s Rare Pure Ginger Brew to the Turmeric Brew. Add a dash of lemon for some zing, or honey for sweetness, strain the mixture, and enjoy.