It’s happened to us all at one time or another. We have eaten too much or eaten the wrong type of food (for you). Sometimes there is no immediate understanding of why our digestive system gets upset. But when it does we can draw from the power of tea and herbs.
My son went through a phase of heartburn and acid reflux for months. We used the power of teas and herbs to give his system a rest and ease his distress. Finding the best teas for his digestion issues was a learning experience that I can share with you today.
The digestive system is incredible. It is can also be sensitive and the microbiome needs to balance. Call in nature and the healing power of tea and herbs. Here are ten of the best teas and herbs for digestion.
What causes those stomach issues?
There are several reasons for stomach indigestion. The digestive system contains more than the stomach. There are other organs to consider. The gallbladder, liver, intestines, pancreas, and esophagus. Those symptoms can be constipation, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and indigestion. The cause of these symptoms can vary.
Stress – Stress is a huge factor in our health both physical and mental. You can feel somewhat of a butterfly feeling in your stomach. The stress can be overwhelming or over-excited. This affects the stomach causing an upset feeling.
Food poisoning – always try to remember what you ate. Food poisoning can linger and not affect you for a couple of days. But, when it does! You can feel an upset stomach, gas, bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Indigestion – is one of the most common causes of an upset stomach. Foods that are high in fat, eating too fast, smoking, drinking, and alcohol can cause indigestion. You will feel a burning sensation, acid reflux, bloating, gas, belching, or pain.
IBS – Irritable bowel syndrome is something that will happen on a more regular basis. It’s chronic and long-term. Conditions like cramping, bloating, gas, and constipation can all be symptoms of IBS.
Gastroparesis – While most causes are hard to determine the fact that the digestion is upsetting. The condition is chronic but can be diagnosed. Symptoms include nausea, heartburn, vomiting, and a full feeling.
Food allergies – are caused by your body’s system reacting negatively to something you ate. Some allergies are hereditary and others are great surprises. Food allergies cause the stomach to have difficulty digesting the food, causing an upset stomach.
There are many other issues that can cause stomach upset. Things that are more serious in nature and not for this article.
How do teas and herbs aid digestion?
Can you imagine that a simple cup of tea could bring calm to the upset digestive system? Drinking certain herbs before eating can help stop a problem before it starts.
Like a vaccine to the immune system so is a cup of tea for digestion. Drinking one cup of tea or a few brings a bountiful amount of healing. Healing in the form of hydration, antioxidants, polyphenols, and more.
Hydration helps the flow of food through the digestive system. It also adds water to the bowel allowing the passing of stool to move faster and more efficiently.
Some teas add to the microbiome of the stomach. The world is all about a healthy microbiome and is very aware of the need for pro and prebiotics. The polyphenols in tea act as a prebiotic. This feeds the good bacteria living in the digestive tract. When the stomach gets out of balance it affects the entire body and digestive system. Good gut health (healthy bacteria) creates a good digestive system. The perfect balance, immune support, and elimination.
The healing teas, herbs, and spices
Green tea – Green tea is the overall digestion aid. Green tea is rich in antioxidants, catechins, and polyphenols. Easing digestion in the area of gastrointestinal disorders.
Gokyuzyo translates literally to "The Highest Grade" in Japanese. One of the best green teas from a favorite in my cup.
Ginger tea– helps with nausea and cramps. Ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. Full of many health benefits. Helps heal sore throats, upset stomachs, or even morning sickness. Ginger also helps to decrease the absorption of starches.
Ayurvedic practitioners have used ginger and Vasaka as a way of activating the body's internal energy to help regain balance and harmony.
Peppermint tea – Eases upset stomach and is a powerful digestive aid. Peppermint also eases pain in the gastrointestinal tract with its analgesic prosperities. The number one herb that is found in many herbal medicine cabinets. Very soothing and has been shown to help people with IBS.
So fresh and so minty! Our peppermint herbal tea is bright, tingling, light, and yet boldly flavored. We promise, you can drink this tea anytime you feel like it, but it’s particularly great after meals (especially if you took ‘treat yo’self’ a little too far).
Black tea – makes a powerhouse to calm digestion.
Fat and strong leaves, slightly curly, dark brown, and shiny in color
Taste soft and sweet, potato and floral aromas intertwined, with a special "cong” flavor
Licorice root – Eases stomach pain and ulcer pain. Licorice root is used to sweeten a lot of herbal tea infusions. In moderation, licorice root can be used to ease stomach upset and digestive problems.
Called “sweet stalk” in Sanskrit and “sweet herb” in Chinese, licorice is loved around the world. Not only is it perfectly sweet, but licorice root benefits include soothing the digestive tract and supporting the respiratory system.
Oolong tea – neutralize stomach acid. Oolong is somewhat oxidized and full-bodied. Drinking oolong tea helps to increase metabolism and burn fat. Moving the cycle and helping ease digestive issues.
Grown in the hilltops of Nantou, Taiwan, Orchid Oolong tea brews a lilac flavor that is buttery and smooth with a fresh orchid finish. Oolong tea leaves are hand-picked and basket tossed in a process known as oxidization. The oolong tea leaves are then rolled into kernels that wait to unfold with flavor in your teapot.
Chamomile – Soothing and sweet. A great combination. Chamomile can calm the stomach upset as well as a bit of acid reflux. If bloating becomes an issue grab a cup of chamomile tea. Chamomile relaxes the body and allows the digestive system to work more efficiently.
Chamomile is characterized by its slight chrysanthemum aroma, soothing, mild, and pleasant. It is an ideal daily tea for both busy workers and older people due to its natural ability to reduce worry and stress.
Cinnamon – an ancient spice that has been used for centuries. Very similar to chamomile. Helps with stomach cramps, indigestion, nausea, gas, and diarrhea. Cinnamon can be drunk alone or added to different teas or herbs.
The sun has all the energy. Cinnamon is nature's suntrap. Bask in the spicy sweet-heat of the world's finest three cinnamons and feel her warm embrace filling you with life. Enjoy the warmth.
Fennel – helps with bloating, and constipation, and helps to promote bowel regularity. Fennel has a licorice taste and helps fight against the damage caused by an ulcer. By moving the bowels it can move the irritating substance through the system. Once gone it relieves the drinker of the digestive issues.
Fennel has anti-spasmodic properties and is a carminative - an agent that prevents the formation and helps the expulsion of gas in the gastrointestinal tract. It also stimulates the production of gastric juices. As a result, fennel assists in the dietary management of IBS symptoms and is exceptional for IBS bloating, gas, and abdominal pain.
Dandelion – used for centuries to improve digestion as well as fight colds. Dandelion has a pleasant earthy taste. The entire part of the dandelion plant can be used from root to flower. Dandelion can stimulate stomach contractions to help move food through the system.
Some think of dandelion as a common weed, but our herbalists know that its bitter taste stimulates digestion and supports your body’s natural detoxification process.
Add lemon to any beverage to calm the stomach. Lemons contain d-limonene which helps with an upset stomach. It can also be a diuretic to aid in the removal of toxins that can cause upset.
The power of the plant around the world
The power of a plant. People all over the world have known of the power of teas and herbs for centuries.
Iran – Studies have shown that in Iran green tea has been used to fight gastrointestinal disorders
China – has long been a supporter of herbal medicine for hundreds of years.
Egypt and China – having used cinnamon often as a cure for inflammation and nausea.
Greece – Milk thistle was a powerful antioxidant that protected the cells from free radicals. It was used to treat liver and gallbladder issues. Helps to stimulate bowel movement.
Asian folk medicine – talks about the benefits of mangosteen (the queen) in regards to Irritable bowel syndrome.
Amazon rainforest – relies on a bitter herb named Quassia. Used for centuries. The bitterness helps calm the digestive issues as well as viral and parasitic diseases.
Italy – using lemons to smooth stomach discomfort and upset. The acidity helps cleanse and balance the acids from the fats and alcohol consumed.
Precautions
While we have a list of teas to help with digestion. Tea can also be a culprit to an upset stomach. The tannins in tea, give it a dry bitter taste. Tannins can be astringent and irritate the stomach lining. This can lead to nausea and an upset stomach.
Tea on an empty stomach can also cause stomach upset. Moderation is always important when concerning yourself with teas and herbs.
Be cautious of medications and herbal complications. Some herbs can interact negatively with medications. This can cause upset stomachs, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Especially if consumed in excess amounts.
Use wisdom, start slowly, and build up to a healthy cup of herbal tea to help with your digestion. If you are still concerned contact your health care professional for medical advice.
As always with children and pregnancy errors on the side, caution. There are limited resources available on the topic.
Conclusion
Here’s to hoping you never have to deal with an upset stomach. Chances are you will. Living in our world with a number of issues and toxins not only in our food but in our air the chances are you will.
I’m thankful for the opportunity to share with you the helpful healing benefits of teas and herbs. When those digestion issues creep up you have the healing right in your cabinet.
2 thoughts on “Ten Of The Best Teas And Herbs For Digestion ”
Hi..what’s a good tea for GERDS? Thanks for sharing your knowledge. It’s appropriated. 👍🙏
Hello Deborah!!!
Thanks for asking. While I dont’ have a blog post (yet) on GERD and tea I do know from personal experience about it. A lot of people will think peppermint is the course of action to take, but peppermint actually can increase the problem. I’ve found licorice root is amazing and I love the sweet flavor. Chamomile is also another great tea to calm the acids in the stomach. Papaya is also an amazing fruit that can calm the stomach acids. While not so popular in teas it does an amazing job of calming the stomach and neutralizing acids. Please stay in touch and let me know how your journey goes. There is also marshmallow, ginger and of course specially created teas by companies for stomach ease. Personally I’d stick with one herb or tea at a time to find what works for you. Let me know!