Herbal Teas for Better Digestion
Sipping on herbal tea throughout the day is a fantastic opportunity to help us stay hydrated and boost the phytonutrients in our diets.
Phytonutrients are those beneficial plant compounds that can have anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antioxidant, calming, invigorating, and/or immune-supportive effects. Every herb has very specific properties, so it’s important to use them in targeted ways depending on your needs!
Many teas can improve digestion, especially those made from carminative herbs. Carminatives work particularly well to relieve occasional gas and bloating around meals by supporting the natural movement of food through the digestive system. These include (but are not limited to):
- Peppermint
- Chamomile
- Fennel
- Anise
- Cardamom
- Cinnamon
- Ginger (can also alleviate nausea!)
Either you can find these in teabags to drink individually, or you can buy a blend. Chai tea, for instance, combines many of these herbs and can be found either in a base of caffeinated black tea or a caffeine-free rooibos tea.
Whichever carminative herbs you choose, they all tend to taste delicious, especially with a teaspoon of honey. Most people find the best results (i.e. relief from gas and bloating) by drinking one cup after a meal.
That said, every body is different, and carminatives are typically not a one-and-done solution for more chronic digestive issues, which require a comprehensive approach and detective work to find the underlying cause.
Finally, it’s important to note that peppermint is not for everyone. Although peppermint can be very effective for gas and bloating, people with acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) should NOT use the herb in tea or supplements, as it can exacerbate symptoms. Peppermint relaxes the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus, which can allow stomach acid to “backwash” into the esophagus and cause burning (yikes!).
Have you tried any of the carminative herbs listed here for digestive issues before? What was your experience?
