Upset stomach? Try sipping a warm cup of tea to reduce your digestive issues and improve your long-term gut health. Let’s take a look at some of the best-recommended teas for digestive issues.
Ginger Tea
Originally from Southeast Asia, the ginger root has been used as a “tonic” by Ancient Chinese and Indian cultures for as long as 5,000 years and continues to be sipped as a tea today.
Shagoals and Gingerols are compounds within the ginger root that have evidence to help stimulate stomach contractions and emptying. Because of its carminative effect, ginger tea helps to reduce flatulence and nausea. Studies have been conducted that have found that ginger tea can be a harmless option for a reduction in nausea and vomiting.
How do you prepare ginger tea? Slice a few pieces of fresh ginger and pour boiling water over it. Let it steep for 3 to 5 minutes before taking a sip. If the ginger taste is too strong for you, try adding a teaspoon of honey after it has steeped to sweeten the flavor.
Pre-packaged ginger tea bags may offer some relief but may not be as strong as making your own from fresh ginger.
Peppermint
If you have the flu, peppermint tea may be just what you need since it boasts reducing nasal congestion as well as improving nausea. The minty plant, native to Europe, has been used as flavorings and teas for hundreds of years.
In a 2017 Pediatrics study, evidence was found that peppermint oil was effective in reducing the frequency and severity of abdominal pain in children.
Menthol, an organic compound in peppermint, maybe the key player in helping with digestive issues, and peppermint tea may also help improve symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
To steep a cup of peppermint tea, place some fresh or dried peppermint leaves in a tea strainer, and steep in hot water for a couple of minutes. Afterwards, not only will your stomach be happier, you’ll have the freshest breath as well! You can purchase peppermint tea bags as well.
Dandelion Root
The next on the list of teas to help improve gut health and digestion you might know as a yellow-flowering plant, referred to as a weed, that seems to crop up even in the cracks of sidewalks. What you might not know is how effective the dandelion root can be at stimulating digestion.
Dandelion root is a nice alternative in the afternoon to a cup of coffee; its slightly bitter taste is reminiscent of coffee without having the caffeinated effects and can be comforting after a heavy lunch. If you’re looking for a fruitier tea, try having dandelion root with hibiscus.
While you could go and dig up the root of the dandelion plant, then dehydrate or roast it, and then grind it up, all to put in a teabag, the easiest option is to simply purchase dandelion root tea bags. There are a variety of options available. When purchasing this tea, make sure to pick one out that clearly states it is dandelion root, not the leaves, which have different health benefits of their own.
Since dandelion root can create an increase in stomach acid, avoid drinking it if you have acid reflux or have been diagnosed with an ulcer.
Senna Tea
If you’re looking for short-term digestive improvement, Senna tea can be a good option. Senna tea, produced from the senna or Cassia plant, which is a genus of flowering legumes, has been used for centuries for laxative purposes, first notably sipped by the ancient Egyptians.
Due to its efficacy, rely on the professionals to batch this one into tea bags for you. To make a cup of tea, toss one of these into a mug, fill with hot water, and top with a bit of honey. It is primarily used as a laxative, and will not be beneficial to gut health long-term, but can be a great short-term option.
Do not drink senna tea longer than a few days. While it is great for a short-term solution, it can cause laxative dependence, with some evidence that it can cause liver damage. If you are constipated regularly, there may be a larger issue at play that requires medical attention.
Pu-erh
The fermented tea of Pu-erh, first produced in Yunnan Province, China, enhances digestion by balancing bacteria in the stomach and intestines.
In parts of China and Southeast Asia, Pu-erh has been consumed for centuries to provide optimal gut health and healthy digestion. Since it is fermented, Pu-erh provides micro-organisms that help break down fatty foods. It’s an ideal sipping tea after a large meal.
Pu-erh is one of the more unique options of teas that help digestion and gut health as it is a product of microbial fermentation, rather than just a plant-based tea. Additionally, when it is brewed, you do not drink the first steeped cup. Instead, you should either rinse the Pu-erh first, or steep it briefly, and then simply discard that water. You can then steep a regular cup of tea with the rinsed Pu-erh, but be quick! You only need to steep it for about 10 seconds for the first cup you sip. You can continue to re-use the leaves for several cups after, adding a few seconds each time you steep the tea. You can purchase Pu-erh tea at most tea shops, or online.
So, there you have it- the top five best teas to help with any digestive issues you may be experiencing. There are many other teas that may help with digestion and gut health, with chamomile being noted to help with relaxing the muscles that move through the intestines, angelica root stimulating the release of digestive acids, and marshmallow root stimulating mucus production in the digestive tract; For a balanced digestive tract, consider alternating between these teas as well, simply to improve gut health. Pro tip: If you’re not keen on the taste of some of the teas, you can add a pinch of cinnamon to them; it’s been known to lower the temperature of your stomach during digestion, which can help reduce bloating and gas.
