Whether it’s because we overindulged at dinner, ate things that disagree with our body (those Thai hot chicken wings sounded like a good idea…until they weren’t), have a sensitive digestive system, had a bad day at work, or lost our cell phone, we all get upset stomachs from time to time. The good news? Tea can help!
People have turned to tea for help with tummy troubles and other ills for centuries. A cup of tea after a meal is a great idea for any number of reasons: to aid with digestion, as a calming activity, and because it tastes wonderful. While tea is not a treatment for serious illness, it is helpful in taming digestive distress.
Certain types of teas are especially adept at calming stomach aches, nausea, and bloating and promoting digestive health. The next time you feel nauseous or lose a round against a spicy bowl of chili, turn to one of these teas to help put the fire out.
1. Peppermint
Used as an herbal medicine for thousands of years, peppermint is well known for its ability to soothe an upset stomach and improve digestion. Even people with issues like IBS can find symptom relief by ingesting peppermint thanks to menthol, a compound in peppermint that improves digestive problems. If your stomach issues are caused by stress, there’s just something about a cup of peppermint tea that is calming, helping reduce anxiety and the physical ailments that can come along with it.
Some peppermint teas:
- Peppermint Herbal
- Organic Peppermint
- Mint Verbena
- Chocolate Mint
- Organic Moroccan Mint
- Garden Therapy Herbal Tea (a trifecta of helpful digestive ingredients: peppermint, chamomile, and lemon)
- Tilleul Mint
- New York Blend (another winning threesome for your gut health with peppermint, chamomile, and ginger root)
2. Ginger
A true superpower in the world of herbal and Ayurvedic medicine, ginger’s weapon against digestive issues is its anti-inflammatory properties. A cup of ginger tea is many a pregnant woman’s go-to for nausea and morning sickness, and it’s a friend to those who suffer from motion sickness as well.
Some ginger teas:
- Organic Ginger Lemon
- Peaches & Ginger
- Organic Ginger Turmeric
- Organic Hibiscus Ginger - Tune Up
- Green Tea with Coconut, Ginger and Vanilla
- Ginger’s Oolong
- Organic Ginger Powder
- Lunar New Year 2022
3. Chamomile
From helping you relax and sleep to helping calm a churning, burning stomach, chamomile is well known for its beneficial properties to both your physical and mental well-being. Plus, it makes a wonderful cuppa!
Some chamomile teas:
4. Lemon
It is said that the sour element in lemon is said to stir up your “agni,” which in Samskrita means “fire.” In Ayurvedic medicine, “agni” is the entity that is responsible for all digestive and metabolic processes in humans. In other words, lemon is the trigger for setting good things in motion! In addition to helping to keep you moving, you’ll boost your vitamin C levels with more lemon in your diet.
Some lemon teas:
5. Licorice Root
One of the variety of health benefits that licorice root is known for is promoting digestive health and easing the symptoms of digestive problems. Another good reason to drink it after dinner? It’s sweet taste. We offer a Ginger Liquorice tea that has the one-two digestive punch of licorice root and ginger.
6. Pu-erh
The fermentation process that makes pu-erh a unique tea also imparts it with antimicrobial properties, which act much like yogurt cultures, serving as a probiotic to enhance digestive health. It’s a great idea to drink Pu-erh teas after having especially rich or fatty foods to help improve digestion.
Some Pu-erh teas:
- Pu-erh
- Golden Pu-erh
- Ripe Pu-erh Balls
- 2019 Shu Pu-erh
- Lao Ban Zhang Pu-erh
- 2015 Nuo Mi Pu-erh
- 2007 Shu Pu-erh
- Pasha Pu-erh Old Tree Raw 2020
7. Dandelion
That’s right. That “weed” growing in your yard is one of the most insanely nutritious plants around, on par with kale and spinach for nutrition density. Dandelions are packed with a host of minerals and vitamins, and all parts of a dandelion are edible. Just make sure to source your dandelions from areas that have not been treated with chemicals. This little yellow flower that could has been used for centuries in herbal medicine to improve digestion, fight colds and improve health in general. Next time you get out your weed whacker, think twice about how you treat those dandelions!
You can steep dandelions in hot water and strain to make a straight-up dandelion tea. Or, for more flavor, you can steep them in other teas that also have digestive benefits. In addition to the ones listed above, studies have shown that oolong teas aid in digestion. Green teas, already superstars in the health benefits category, can also help soothe a tummy ache. And finally, good ol’ black teas, which contain thearubigins and theaflavins – both of which act as antioxidants – provide additional digestive benefits such as helping prevent bloating, upset stomachs and could provide some protection against stomach ulcers.
All of those teas that are good for your digestive health? That’s what we call Tea-L-C for tummy aches!
