What’s the best tea for digestion? 5 herbal remedies to try
Herbal teas are a warm, gentle, and effective way to support your overall health. When chosen wisely, brewing certain herbs can release active compounds, delivering therapeutic benefits known to support various ailments.
In particular, certain herbs have potent benefits for digestive health, including the ability to soothe reflux, alleviate bloating, reduce digestive pain, improve digestion, and enhance gut motility. Hoping to heal your stomach naturally? Read on to discover the best teas for digestion that you can sip on this evening.
5 of the best teas for digestion
Your body is busy during the digestive process, and sometimes, it needs support. Thankfully, there are several herbal teas proven to aid digestion and soothe your stomach. Try sipping on one of these after meals, or as part of your evening wind-down routine.
#1: Peppermint
Peppermint actively soothes your gut muscles, having a positive effect on your gastrointestinal tract. It also offers microbial and anti-inflammatory effects, aiding with bloating and gas, making it an all-round excellent choice. Avoid peppermint tea if you’re already feeling cold or dry, as it has a cooling effect. But if you’re feeling heat or tension, it’s one of the best teas for digestion.
#2: Lemon Balm
As one of the most historically trusted herbal teas, lemon balm can help support digestion. Additionally, some studies suggest that lemon balm can also help soothe stomach ulcers and provide anti-inflammatory benefits. And since it works on the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis to calm the nervous system, it’s also a soothing choice for people whose gut issues are stress-related.
#3: Fennel
In some cultures, people eat fennel as a post-meal snack, due to its digestion-friendly properties. Studies have also shown that fennel seed extract improves the barrier function of the gastrointestinal tract.
But most importantly, fennel tea is gentle and balancing. Already feeling unwell or heavy? The flavours alone are enough to provide a lift. So, as one of the best teas for digestion and bloating, fennel can be powerfully effective.
#4: Ginger
Featuring a warm and full-bodied flavour, there’s nothing nicer than sipping on a ginger herbal tea when you’re feeling tired or cold. Additionally, ginger is recognised for its ability to soothe nausea and upset stomachs, one of its most well-documented benefits. It can also promote efficient digestion, facilitating the movement of waste through your gut. So, if you’re feeling sluggish or too heavy after meals, it should be your go-to.
#5: Dandelion Root
Dandelion root has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to improve digestion and treat constipation. Thanks to its prebiotic fibre contents, it promotes the movement of food through your digestive system, which can be especially helpful if yours feels sluggish.
How to brew the perfect cup of tea
You can feel the benefits of herbal tea almost instantly after taking the first few sips. For the tastiest and most healing cup, we recommend loose-leaf tea, as it contains more bioactive compounds and fewer microplastics. Follow these steps to make a delicious brew.
Choose your desired blend and add the recommended amount to a tea infuser. Place it in your mug.
Bring water to just before boiling point (too hot and it can kill some of the benefits).
Cover the mug and let it steep for 5 to 8 minutes. For stronger tea, you can leave the infuser in as you sip.
Sit and relax, take three deep breaths to settle your nervous system.
Sip slowly, rest and digest.
Sip your way to a calmer stomach
In addition to a host of digestive benefits, the simple act of sipping on a herbal tea is enough to promote feelings of calm. And with so many herbal teas to sample, there are all kinds of other benefits you could enjoy.
Taking care of your health and wellness starts with small daily choices. Discover simple, practical ways to shift how you feel on The Wellness Edit.
