For the time being, I am taking a great deal of meds, primarily Prednisone. I'm being extremely careful about the food I eat, but it's just occurred to me that perhaps there's something in a tea that would interfere with or enhance any med. Any discussion would be greatly appreciated so this illness can pass and I don't have to ask questions like this.
Thanks very much,
Caringb
(still running and dancing...
only in my mind, for now,
and I'm very, very good)
Caringb,
As far as counterindications of tea and meds, I agree with Marlene. In fact, your pharmacist can be helpful in that, too.
If you're drinking herbal teas, be particularly aware of what herbs are in them to make sure they don't change the effectiveness of any meds. For example, Black Cohash: while some women use it to counter effects of menopause, it unfortunately can "speed up the clock" of time release meds (like blood pressure medicine) thus making the med ineffectual before the end of the day. Or Ginsing: it might help with memory loss, but it's also a blood thinner.
If Prednisone is giving hot flashes/sugar rush shortly after taking it, you might cool off with some chamomile and/or mint tea (if there's no allergy with flowers and your meds).
And if the prednisone gives you a huge energy drop off in the early/midafternoon, you might level it off with a cup of tea with lighter caffeine (I love White Peach).
Caffeine in tea is far less than found in coffee or soda. Plus, it's a water-soluble caffeine and leaves your body much more quickly. But please check with your doc if caffeine's an issue.
And all the extra liquid you have with drinking tea -- helps with the bloating prednisone causes.
Lots of other threads on this site, especially under Green Tea and White Tea, on benefits of tea. I take a handful of meds everyday myself, so I hope that you're feeling stronger soon.
As far as counterindications of tea and meds, I agree with Marlene. In fact, your pharmacist can be helpful in that, too.
If you're drinking herbal teas, be particularly aware of what herbs are in them to make sure they don't change the effectiveness of any meds. For example, Black Cohash: while some women use it to counter effects of menopause, it unfortunately can "speed up the clock" of time release meds (like blood pressure medicine) thus making the med ineffectual before the end of the day. Or Ginsing: it might help with memory loss, but it's also a blood thinner.
If Prednisone is giving hot flashes/sugar rush shortly after taking it, you might cool off with some chamomile and/or mint tea (if there's no allergy with flowers and your meds).
And if the prednisone gives you a huge energy drop off in the early/midafternoon, you might level it off with a cup of tea with lighter caffeine (I love White Peach).
Caffeine in tea is far less than found in coffee or soda. Plus, it's a water-soluble caffeine and leaves your body much more quickly. But please check with your doc if caffeine's an issue.
And all the extra liquid you have with drinking tea -- helps with the bloating prednisone causes.
Lots of other threads on this site, especially under Green Tea and White Tea, on benefits of tea. I take a handful of meds everyday myself, so I hope that you're feeling stronger soon.
"Top off the tea... it lubricates the grey matter."
(Jerry Ledbetter, "Good Neighbors")
(Jerry Ledbetter, "Good Neighbors")