People have been drinking tea to help treat digestive issues and other illnesses for thousands of years. Type of Teas That Can Improve Digestion.
A few home grown teas have been appeared to help with sickness, clogging, heartburn, and the sky is the limit from there. Luckily, the greater part of them are generally accessible and simple to make.
Here are 9 teas that can improve your digestion.
- Peppermint
Peppermint, a green herb from the Mentha piperita plant, is well known for its refreshing flavor and ability to soothe an upset stomach.
Animal and human studies have shown that menthol, a compound in peppermint, improves digestive issues.
Peppermint oil is now and again used to improve peevish inside disorder (IBS), a fiery condition that influences the internal organ and can cause stomach torment, swelling, gas, and other disagreeable side effects.
A 4-week study in 57 people with IBS found that 75% of those who took peppermint oil capsules twice per day reported improvements in symptoms, compared with 38% of those in the placebo group (6Trusted Source).
Peppermint tea may provide benefits similar to those of peppermint oil, although the tea’s effects on human digestion have not been studied.
To make peppermint tea, soak 7–10 fresh peppermint leaves or 1 peppermint tea bag in 1 cup (250 ml) of boiled water for 10 minutes before straining and drinking it.
- Ginger
Ginger, scientifically known as Zingiber officinale, is a flowering plant native to Asia. Its rhizome (underground part of the stem) is popularly used as a spice worldwide.
Compounds in ginger, known as gingerols and shogaols, can help stimulate stomach contractions and emptying. Thus, the spice may help with nausea, cramping, bloating, gas, or indigestion .
A large review found that taking 1.5 grams of ginger daily reduced nausea and vomiting caused by pregnancy, chemotherapy, and motion sickness (9Trusted Source).
Another study in 11 patients with indigestion found that taking supplements containing 1.2 grams of ginger significantly shortened stomach emptying time by nearly 4 minutes, compared to a placebo.
Research contrasting the impacts of ginger tea and ginger enhancements is restricted, however the tea may give comparable advantages.
To make ginger tea, boil 2 tablespoons (28 grams) of sliced ginger root in 2 cups (500 ml) of water for 10–20 minutes before straining and drinking it. You can also steep a ginger tea bag in 1 cup (250 ml) of boiled water for a few minutes.
- Gentian root
Gentian root comes from the Gentianaceae family of flowering plants, which grows worldwide.
Different varieties of gentian root have been used to stimulate appetite and treat stomach ailments for centuries.
The effects of gentian root are attributed to its bitter compounds, known as iridoids, which can increase the production of digestive enzymes and acids (13Trusted Source).
What’s more, one study in 38 healthy adults found that drinking water mixed with gentian root increased blood flow to the digestive system, which may help improve digestion (14Trusted Source).
Dried gentian root can be purchased from a natural food store or online. To make gentian root tea, steep 1/2 teaspoon (2 grams) of dried gentian root in 1 cup (250 ml) of boiled water for 5 minutes before straining. Drink it before meals to aid digestion.
- Fennel
Fennel is an herb that comes from a flowering plant scientifically known as Foeniculum vulgare. It has a licorice-like taste and can be eaten raw or cooked.
Animal studies have shown that fennel helps prevent stomach ulcers. This ability is likely due to the herb’s antioxidant compounds, which can fight damage associated with ulcer development.
It may also help relieve constipation and promote bowel movements. However, it’s not understood exactly how and why fennel acts as a laxative.
One study in 86 elderly adults with constipation found that those who drank a fennel-containing tea every day for 28 days had significantly more daily bowel movements than those who received a placebo.
You can make fennel tea by pouring 1 cup (250 ml) of boiled water over 1 teaspoon (4 grams) of fennel seeds. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes before pouring through a sieve and drinking. You can also use freshly grated fennel root or fennel tea bags.
- Angelica root
Angelica is a flowering plant that grows all over the world. It has an earthy, slightly celery-like taste.
While all parts of this plant have been used in traditional medicine, angelica root — in particular — may aid digestion.
Animal studies have shown that a polysaccharide in angelica root may protect against stomach damage by increasing the number of healthy cells and blood vessels in the digestive tract.
For this reason, it may also help fight intestinal damage caused by oxidative stress in those with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory condition that causes sores in the colon.
What’s more, one test-tube study on human intestinal cells found that angelica root stimulated the secretion of intestinal acids. Therefore, it may help relieve constipation.
These outcomes propose that drinking angelica root tea may advance a sound stomach related tract, however no human examinations have affirmed this.
To make angelica root tea, add 1 tablespoon (14 grams) of fresh or dried angelica root to 1 cup (250 ml) of boiled water. Let it steep for 5–10 minutes before straining and drinking it.
- Dandelion
Dandelions are weeds from the Taraxacum family. They have yellow flowers and grow worldwide, including in many people’s lawns.
Animal studies have shown that dandelion extracts contain compounds that may promote digestion by stimulating muscle contractions and promoting the flow of food from the stomach to the small intestine.
A study in rats found that dandelion extract also helped protect against ulcers by fighting inflammation and decreasing the production of stomach acid.
Hence, drinking dandelion tea may promote healthy digestion. However, research in humans is limited.
Animal studies have shown that fennel helps prevent stomach ulcers. This ability is likely due to the herb’s antioxidant compounds, which can fight damage associated with ulcer development (15Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source).
It may also help relieve constipation and promote bowel movements. However, it’s not understood exactly how and why fennel acts as a laxative (15Trusted Source).
One study in 86 elderly adults with constipation found that those who drank a fennel-containing tea every day for 28 days had significantly more daily bowel movements than those who received a placebo (17Trusted Source).
You can make fennel tea by pouring 1 cup (250 ml) of boiled water over 1 teaspoon (4 grams) of fennel seeds. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes before pouring through a sieve and drinking. You can also use freshly grated fennel root or fennel tea bags.
- Angelica root
Angelica is a flowering plant that grows all over the world. It has an earthy, slightly celery-like taste.
While all parts of this plant have been used in traditional medicine, angelica root — in particular — may aid digestion.
Animal studies have shown that a polysaccharide in angelica root may protect against stomach damage by increasing the number of healthy cells and blood vessels in the digestive tract (18Trusted Source, 19Trusted Source).
For this reason, it may also help fight intestinal damage caused by oxidative stress in those with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory condition that causes sores in the colon (20Trusted Source).
What’s more, one test-tube study on human intestinal cells found that angelica root stimulated the secretion of intestinal acids. Therefore, it may help relieve constipation (21Trusted Source).
These outcomes propose that drinking angelica root tea may advance a solid stomach related tract, yet no human investigations have affirmed this.
To make angelica root tea, add 1 tablespoon (14 grams) of fresh or dried angelica root to 1 cup (250 ml) of boiled water. Let it steep for 5–10 minutes before straining and drinking it.
- Dandelion
Dandelions are weeds from the Taraxacum family. They have yellow flowers and grow worldwide, including in many people’s lawns.
Animal studies have shown that dandelion extracts contain compounds that may promote digestion by stimulating muscle contractions and promoting the flow of food from the stomach to the small intestine (22Trusted Source, 23Trusted Source).
A study in rats found that dandelion extract also helped protect against ulcers by fighting inflammation and decreasing the production of stomach acid (24Trusted Source).
Hence, drinking dandelion tea may promote healthy digestion. However, research in humans is limited.
To make dandelion tea, combine 2 cups of dandelion flowers and 4 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then remove it from heat and let it steep for 5–10 minutes. Strain it through a colander or sieve before drinking.
- Senna
Senna is an herb that comes from flowering Cassia plants.
It contains chemicals called sennosides, which break down in the colon and act on smooth muscle, promoting contractions and bowel movements (25Trusted Source).
Studies have shown that senna is a highly effective laxative in both children and adults with constipation from different causes (26Trusted Source, 27Trusted Source, 28Trusted Source).
One study in 60 people with cancer, 80% of whom were taking opioids that can cause constipation, found that more than 60% of those who took sennosides for 5–12 days had a bowel movement on over half of those days (28Trusted Source).
Thus, senna tea may be an effective and easy way to find relief from constipation. However, it’s best to only drink it on occasion so you don’t experience diarrhea.
You can make senna tea by steeping 1 teaspoon (4 grams) of dried senna leaves in 1 cup (250 ml) of boiled water for 5–10 minutes before straining. Senna tea bags are also available at most health food stores and online.
Safety precautions
While herbal teas are generally considered safe for healthy people, you should be cautious when adding a new type of tea to your routine.
Currently, there is limited knowledge regarding the safety of some teas in children and pregnant and lactating women (37Trusted Source, 38Trusted Source).
What’s more, some herbs can interact with medications, and herbal teas may cause unpleasant side effects like diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting if consumed in excess (39Trusted Source).
If you want to try a new herbal tea to improve your digestion, start with a low dose and take note of how it makes you feel. Also, be sure to consult your doctor first if you are taking medications or have a health condition.
The bottom line
Herbal teas can provide a variety of digestive benefits, including relief from constipation, ulcers, and indigestion.
Peppermint, ginger, and marshmallow root are just some of the many types of teas that may help improve digestion.
Related : 5 benefits of coconut
If you want to start drinking a certain tea to aid your digestion, be sure to confirm the appropriate amount to brew and how often to drink it.
