Do you wake up on a winter morning with stiffness, fatigue, or swelling?
If that’s a yes, then you have to pay attention to your joint health.
With changes to the weather upon us, there may be moments when you feel a little bit more sore.
Even if you don’t fall into the category of the 10 million UK citizens with joint conditions like arthritis, there’s a likelihood of you potentially experiencing aches and pains in the cold weather. Learn how to lower the risk of stiffness with our top tips and our favourite types of herbal tea for joints to drink this winter.
Why do joints become stiff in winter?
There’s a reason your joint health significantly deteriorates in the winter, and that’s not just because of one factor but a combination of factors. The main reason is that your body works harder to protect essential organs and keep them warm. When that happens, less blood flow circulates to your joints, preventing reduced lubrication of synovial fluid and, therefore, increasing the pain in your joints.
However, it can also be due to the following factors:
- Nerve and blood vessel constriction: In cold weather, nerves and blood pressure constrict. Diminished circulation can make joints stiffer, as they receive less nutrition and oxygen, increasing pain and discomfort.
- Changes in barometric pressure: A drop in barometric pressure, which is highly common in winter, can cause swelling in tissues around your joints. The swelling can increase pressure, triggering stiffness and discomfort.
- Reduced exercise: Another factor is that if you exercise less during the winter or are more sedentary outdoors, the muscles around your joints can weaken, causing joint pain and stiffness.
- Vitamin D deficiency: With less sunlight in the winter, there’s a likelihood of you experiencing lower vitamin D levels. This deficiency can increase joint pain and make symptoms worse.
5 herbal teas for joints
If you experience joint pain this winter or want to reduce the likelihood of it, then there are a range or ways to lubricate your joints. One area to explore is consuming herbal tea for joints, with blends containing natural ingredients that support joint health, especially in the winter.
To get you started, here are 5 of our favourite types of joint support tea:
1. NutraJoint
NutraJoint is a top-rated joint care tea. It only contains three ingredients: curcumin, green tea, and piperine. Curcumin is a compound found in turmeric that has strong anti-inflammatory properties, supporting joint flexibility and joint health.
Research reveals that curcumin may be more beneficial in treating joint conditions like osteoarthritis than anti-inflammatory drugs. Green tea also supports healthy bones; piperine supports your body’s integrity and helps with turmeric absorption. Overall, NutraJoint is a great tea to drink to provide extra support for joint health this winter.
2. NutraUric
Second, NutraUric is an herbal tea completely free from caffeine and supports healthy joints. This herbal tea contains cherry dry, nettle, turmeric, banaba leaf, piperine and orange peel. Turmeric and nettle in this tea help support joint flexibility, muscles and tendons. It’s also high in antioxidants, which help protect your joints and tissues from oxidative stress. NutraUric makes a great gout tea, helping reduce symptoms of inflammation and supporting overall joint health.
3. NutraBone
NutraBone does exactly what it says in its name: it provides bone support. This herbal tea is high in naturally occurring antioxidants, which protect cells and tissues from oxidation. Moreover, NutraBone has nettle, liquorice, willow bark, devil’s claw, and turmeric, which help strengthen your body’s locomotor system. It also helps maintain flexible joints, muscles and tendons. Green tea also helps rejuvenate your body and mind, making you feel fresh and energetic and less tired and stiff.
4. Turmeric & Cinnamon
Our flagship herbal tea, Turmeric & Cinnamon, is a complementary tea to drink to support your joints this winter. Caffeine-free, supports blood circulation and discourages nerve and blood vessel constriction. Turmeric supports joint and bone health and helps with immune health—a must in winter! Cinnamon also supports blood circulation, heart health, and body strength.
5. Ginseng & Ginger
While not primarily a joint support tea, Ginseng and Ginger can help you feel more invigorated this winter. This flagship tea can give you an extra energy boost after getting out of bed on a cold British morning.
Ginseng helps maintain feelings of stamina, vitality, and energy, fighting winter fatigue and stiffness. It also supports your immune health, lowering the likelihood of feeling weak and stiff from other conditions. Ginger is high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, reducing soreness.
What else can I do to support my joints in the cold weather?
In addition to drinking herbal tea for joints, you can try some activities and lifestyle behaviours to reduce stiffness and pain. Try doing the following this winter:
- Dress up warm: Layer up to prevent feeling cold. Try to opt for clothing that will make you feel insulated.
- Stay active: Exercise to manage joint flexibility and support muscle strength. If you can’t do it outdoors, join your local gym, try yoga and even swim in a heated pool.
- Live a healthy lifestyle: Be consistent with having a balanced diet, exercise, sleep well and manage stress this can help with joint health.
Stay Active
Overall, winter is a time when your joints need nourishing that little bit more! Due to cold weather changes, a more sedentary lifestyle, and changes to barometric pressure, even if you don’t have a joint condition, there’s a chance you might experience stiffness and some soreness.
To lower your risk of joint stiffness and soreness, try staying active this winter, layering up, maintaining a healthy diet, and even trying some of our herbal tea for joints. If you want more support, learn 5 exercises to help keep your joints mobile this winter.
