White Tea in the Treatment of Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle cell anemia is a condition in which some red blood cells contain faulty hemoglobin. This results in open doughnut-shaped blood cells that bunch together in the blood vessels. These bunches can clog blood flow and create pain for the patient.

Why white tea works

• White tea, or Camellia sinensis, contains healing properties that other teas do not. White tea is young and concentrated and is minimally processed, leaving these properties "bioavailable" to the drinker. Bioavailable means that the body can more easily use and extract the nutrients in the tea. Young tea leaves may contain the most concentrated form of the healing extracts available. The process of fermentation used in black tea kills most of these healing properties.

Medical confirmation

• Milton Schiffenbauer, Ph.D., a microbiologist and professor in the department of biology at Pace University's Dyson College of Arts & Sciences and primary author of the research, states that the composition within white tea can heal many diseases in vitro, meaning they can heal a baby while it is still in the womb. Sickle cell sufferers can drink white tea as a way to assist their body in fighting this genetic anomaly. The components in white tea may kill the abnormal cells and leave only healthy cells behind. The components of this tea are polyphenols and catechins, which have an antiviral and antibiotic effect.

As a supplement

• Ingesting white tea is an easy way for sickle cell sufferers to add a healing supplement to their conventional health-care regimen. Drinking it as a hot morning beverage or as an afternoon refresher can be a simple way to use white tea.

Keep it pure

• Instead of relying on retail products and bottle teas for your daily white tea intake, make it yourself. Health food stores and grocery stores carry white tea bags and loose leaf tea to brew. According to Dr. Schiffenbauer, no matter which way you choose to brew it, the healthiest form is the natural loose leaf white tea.

Antioxidant benefit

• According to Jane Higdon, Ph.D., an LPI Research Associate, white tea's healing compounds are antioxidants that benefit the whole body. Antioxidants are preventive medicine for many conditions, including staph infections and viruses.