Hydrangea Tea for Autoimmune Disease

Autoimmune disease is a difficult thing for those who have to face it, and can have a very significant impact on the quality of life. For people with autoimmune disease, finding something that may be able to help ease their difficulties would be of tremendous significance. Enter hydrangea, a plant well known for its vibrant and beautiful flowers. While most often used today in gardening and floral arrangements, hydrangea is also used in traditional Chinese medicine as an herbal remedy for fever and malaria. Native Americans also used it to promote kidney function. With a history of medicinal use, new research into this herbal tea has recently exposed another benefit – combatting autoimmune disease.

What is Autoimmune Disease?

An autoimmune disease is any disease resulting from the body’s abnormal response to normal  tissue in the body. An autoimmune disease may be isolated to a single organ, or may affect similar tissue throughout the body. The most common symptom of the disease is inflammation in the affected area. There are more than 80 types of identified autoimmune diseases, with more under investigation for possible autoimmune association. The cause of autoimmune disease is not yet known; however, it may somehow relate to genetics, as autoimmune disease may sometimes be seen passing through families. Women have a higher risk of autoimmune disease than men. No cure exists for autoimmune disease, though there are treatments for its symptoms. These may include anti-inflammatory medications to reduce the inflammation, or immunosuppressants  that weaken the immune system.

How Hydrangea Tea May Help

Hydrangea tea is by no means a cure for autoimmune disease. It may, however, provide a good deal of relief for those dealing with this condition. Researchers focused on halofuginone, a component found in hydrangea, and observed that halofuginone inhibits the creation of the inflammatory compound Th17. Essentially, halofuginone cancels the signal that prompts the formation of Th17, therefore preventing the inflammatory response. In doing so, hydrangea tea reduces the primary symptoms of autoimmune disease without suppressing the entire immune system. This beneficial property may prove hydrangea tea to be invaluable to those dealing with autoimmune disease, and researchers hope further studies will illuminate even more beneficial qualities for this remarkable herbal tea.