A traditional Chinese medicinal tea, Chun-Yu-Ching-Hua-Yin, has shown potential in alleviating symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome, according to a recent study published in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases. The phase II pilot study evaluated the effects of the tea on tear production, ocular dryness, and sleep quality in patients with Sjögren's disease and dry eye syndrome (DES).
Improved Tear Production and Reduced Ocular Discomfort
The study involved 59 Sjögren's patients, 28 DES patients, and 10 healthy controls. Participants consumed a daily cup of Chun-Yu-Ching-Hua-Yin tea for eight weeks. Tear gland function was assessed using the Schirmer's test, which revealed significantly more tear production in Sjögren's and DES patients after four and eight weeks of tea consumption.
Sjögren's patients initially had a mean score of 55.39 on the ocular surface disease index (OSDI). After four weeks of tea drinking, the OSDI score significantly reduced to 50.24, and further decreased to 45.34 after eight weeks. Participants also reported reductions in eye sensitivity, grittiness, pain, and blurred vision.
Enhanced Sleep Quality and Reduced Reliance on Artificial Tears
Patients reported improvements in sleep quality, with significant reductions in the time taken to fall asleep and decreased use of sleep medication. Furthermore, the study observed a notable decline in the use of artificial tears among Sjögren's patients. Initially, patients used artificial tears nearly five times a day, which decreased to a mean of 2.53 times a day after four weeks and approximately once a day after eight weeks of daily tea consumption.
Safety and Future Research
Daily consumption of the tea was generally safe, with a few patients reporting mild side effects such as diarrhea and acid reflux. Researchers suggest that the efficacy of Chun-Yu-Ching-Hua-Yin in treating Sjögren's disease and DES stems from its molecular interactions targeting inflammation, autoimmunity, and tear secretion. Future studies will focus on testing the treatment against a matched placebo in large-scale, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials to assess the therapeutic potential of Chun-Yu-Ching-Hua-Yin definitively.
"These findings advocate for [Chun-Yu-Ching-Hua-Yin]'s comprehensive therapeutic value in [Sjögren's disease] emphasizing the need for further research to understand long-term effects and mechanisms," the researchers wrote.
