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Nutrition and daily life

Tea during treatment: comfort and safety

During treatment hot tea is a familiar comfort, in hospital, at home and with family. This section gathers in one place how to drink tea during chemotherapy, neutropenia, mouth sores and sleep problems.

Last updated: ~2 min read
Hot tea and a sealed tea bag on a hospital tray.
Figure 1.Fresh hot tea in hospital.

01Short answer

Tea is usually fine during treatment with simple rules: freshly boiled water, a fresh brew, drink it hot, and do not keep it for hours in a thermos. During neutropenia choose sealed bags. With mouth sores drink tea warm and weak, without lemon or hot spices. Switch to caffeine-free drinks in the evening. If your fluids are restricted, tea counts. Take extracts and capsules only with your doctor.

02Simple explanation

Freshly boiled water, a fresh brew.

During neutropenia: sealed bags.

With mouth sores: warm and weak.

Evenings: caffeine-free.

03Scientific explanation

NCI: with mouth sores, avoid very hot, acidic and spicy drinks and choose mild, warm ones.

LLS: for people with weak immunity, hot drinks made with boiled water are safer.

NCI: it has not been shown in people that tea prevents or treats cancer.

MedlinePlus: about 400 mg of caffeine a day is generally considered safe for adults; during treatment watch your sleep and heart rate.

04What happens in the body?

In hospital

Ask the nurse before using your own kettle on the ward; hot water is often provided.

Weak tea and a soft toothbrush by the bed.
Figure 2.Warm, weak tea with mouth sores.

Nausea and taste

Ginger or mint may help nausea (see “Ginger: warm support against nausea”, “Mint: freshness and relief from nausea”); weak tea with lemon may help a metallic taste if you have no mouth sores.

A clean kettle boiling in a kitchen.
Figure 3.Freshly boiled water every time.

Safe brewing

Freshly boiled water, a clean teapot and a fresh brew. During neutropenia avoid cold tea that has stood for hours.

Iron and medicines

Drink tea about an hour after meals; do not take extract capsules without your doctor.

05Brewing: four steps

Sealed pack, fresh brew, right temperature, drink hot.

Sealed pack — Dry place.1Sealed packDry place.
Fresh brew — Not old cold tea.2Fresh brewNot old cold tea.
Right water — Boiled.3Right waterBoiled.
Drink soon — Do not keep.4Drink soonDo not keep.
FlavourTradition.
FluidsA warm drink.
SafetyBoiled water.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
In hospitalAsk the nurse before using your own kettle on the ward; hot water is often provided.
Nausea and tasteGinger or mint may help nausea (see “Ginger: warm support against nausea”, “Mint: freshness and relief from nausea”); weak tea with lemon may help a metallic taste if you have no mouth sores.
Safe brewingFreshly boiled water, a clean teapot and a fresh brew. During neutropenia avoid cold tea that has stood for hours.
Iron and medicinesDrink tea about an hour after meals; do not take extract capsules without your doctor.

07Key terms

Mucositis
Inflammation of the lining of the mouth and gut.
Fluid balance
The balance between fluid taken in and passed out.
Caffeine
A stimulant.
Polyphenols
Antioxidant plant compounds.
Neutropenia
Low neutrophils.

08Key points

  • Fresh, hot tea.
  • Warm and weak with mouth sores.
  • Caffeine-free in the evening.
  • Brew with boiled water.
  • Capsules only with your doctor.

09Frequently asked questions

Can I take tea in a thermos?

Yes, but drink it the same day; during neutropenia do not keep it for hours.

How many glasses a day?

Agree your fluid and caffeine limits with your doctor.

Does this tea treat leukemia?

No. Tea is a pleasant drink, not a treatment.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Can I take tea in a thermos?

  2. How many glasses a day?

  3. Does this tea treat leukemia?

My questions

12Sources

  1. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Green Tea
  2. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — About Herbs. Green Tea
  3. MedlinePlus. Caffeine
  4. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Diet Guidelines for Immunosuppressed Patients
  5. National Cancer Institute. Diet and Cancer Risk
  6. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Nutrition in Cancer Care (PDQ®) – Patient Version
  7. NCCIH (U.S. NIH). Herbs at a Glance
  8. World Health Organization (WHO). World Hand Hygiene Day
  9. American Cancer Society. Preventing Infections in People with Cancer
  10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Safer Food Choices for People With Weakened Immune Systems
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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