In today’s fast-paced world, digestive issues are all too common, leaving many people searching for natural and effective remedies. Herbal teas are old and celebrated for their soothing properties and digestive benefits! From chamomile to lemon balm, here are all the benefits of herbal teas for digestion!
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea is a traditional remedy for various digestive troubles. It has numerous perks because of the interesting compounds in its content.
First things first, peppermint contains menthol, which has antispasmodic properties. This means it relaxes the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, reducing spasms and cramping. By doing so, peppermint tea allows gas to pass effortlessly, thereby alleviating bloating and discomfort.
Having this in mind, the tea is terrific for soothing menstrual cramps and overall discomfort. Menthol has one more important function, and that is stimulating the flow of bile from the gallbladder. Boosted bile flow aids in the digestion of fats, making the process more efficient and reducing the symptoms of indigestion.
As said above, by relaxing the muscles in the intestines, peppermint tea reduces the formation of gas, helping with bloating and gas pain. This tea has anti-inflammatory properties, as well, meaning it soothes the lining of the belly and intestines.
It will reduce irritation and inflammation, which are triggering factors for digestive issues and discomfort. Tea is one of the best natural cures for nausea, as it has calming effects on stomach muscles.
Preparation
- 1 tbsp of fresh peppermint leaves or 1 tsp of dried peppermint leaves
- 1 cup of boiling water
- Steep for 5-10 minutes.
It is best to drink it after meals to soothe digestion and alleviate symptoms of indigestion. The best thing is to consume it regularly, one cup after a meal or at least once daily.
Ginger Tea
Ginger tea is another star of folk medicine, and for a good reason. Ginger contains two very special compounds that are amazing for digestion – gingerol and shogaol. Actually, gingerol is the primary bioactive compound in fresh ginger, while shogaol forms when you dry or cook it (e.g., for the tea).
Both of them have incredibly potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, plus they stimulate the production of digestive enzymes. This means they enhance the breakdown and absorption of nutrients, boosting digestive process and blocking symptoms of indigestion.
On the other side, ginger (more specifically gingerol and shogaol) is well-known for its anti-nausea effects. Whether it’s motion sickness, morning sickness during pregnancy, after chemotherapy, or post-surgery nausea, ginger tea will do the best job of calming your stomach and reducing those feelings.
Ginger tea speeds up the emptying of the stomach, which is especially beneficial for people with chronic indigestion – dyspepsia. It actually enhances gastric motility, meaning the tea pushes food through the stomach and intestines more quickly, preventing gas buildup and bloating.
Preparation
- 1-2 inches of fresh ginger root or 1 tsp of ginger powder
- 2 cups water
- Steep for 10-15 minutes or longer if you want it extra strong.
Drink the tea about 20-30 minutes before or after meals to stimulate digestion and prevent bloating and gas. A cup daily is enough to keep its benefits consistent.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is probably the most famous for its soothing traits, as one cup before bed helps you relax and sleep faster. This herb is loaded with flavonoids – apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin. These compounds have antispasmodic effects, relaxing the smooth muscles of the digestive belt, reducing spasms and cramps.
They will provide relief from abdominal pain, cramps, and even discomfort associated with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Besides flavonoids, chamomile contains three very intriguing compounds: chamazulene, bisabolol, and matricin. These blends block the production of inflammatory mediators, soothe the lining of the gut and intestines, and reduce inflammation and irritation.
Read Also: Research Says Eating This Supplement Reduces Anger by Up to 28%
Similar to peppermint tea, chamomile tea also contains compounds that relieve indigestion. By stimulating the making of digestive enzymes and bile, sesquiterpenes from chamomile are chief for breaking down food efficiently. The mild bitter taste of chamomile actually triggers digestive secretions, boosting digestion.
Back to chamomile’s prime properties, flavonoids and essential oils in its content are responsible for calming the stomach. Besides, they soothe the gastric lining, chamomile cuts back the production of stomach acid. This protective effect averts and relieves symptoms of heartburn and gastritis, so it’s suitable for people with sensitive stomachs.
Flavonoids offer relaxing traits, as well. They bind to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain, responsible for relaxation and reducing anxiety. Lowering stress levels positively affect digestive health, as stress provokes gastrointestinal issues.
Tannins and polyphenols are key elements of chamomile tea and they have fascinating qualities. These compounds tighten and tone the tissues in the digestive tract, so they reduce fluid secretion and diarrhea.
Preparation
- 1 tbsp of dried chamomile flowers
- 1 cup of boiling water
- Steep for 5-10 minutes.
It is best to drink chamomile tea after meals to soothe the digestive tract, but a cup before bedtime daily gives fantastic results.
Fennel Tea
Fennel tea is a famous herbal remedy for digestive troubles, due to its unique content. It is packed with essential oils – anethole, fenchone, and estragole, which have carminative properties. This means they expel gas from the intestines and reduce bloating by relaxing the gastrointestinal muscles.
The relaxation allows trapped gas to move through the digestive tract more effectively; thus, it is a standard practice to give it to colicky babies. Essential oils, primarily anethole and fenchone are responsible for the antispasmodic effects of the tea, reducing cramps and spasms.
On the other side, fennel skyrockets the production of gastric juices and digestive enzymes, making your organism digest and absorb food better. Just like the above-listed tea varieties, this one also reduces indigestion and has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
When it comes to indigestion, oils from fennel, like anethole and limonene, soothe the digestive tract. They reduce irritation in the stomach lining and encourage smoother digestion, thereby reducing symptoms of indigestion, such as nausea and discomfort.
Essential oils come hand in hand with antimicrobial activity, too. Because of that, fennel has traits that help keep a healthy balance of gut bacteria by blocking the growth of harmful microorganisms. As you can see, the tea works wonders in preventing infections and supporting overall gut health.
Preparation
- 1-2 tsp of fennel seeds
- 1 cup boiling water
- Steep for 5-10 minutes.
Drink the tea after meals to boost digestion, reduce bloating, and alleviate gas.
Dandelion Tea
Dandelion tea has a unique flavor, mild, slightly sweet, but still bitter, that’s why you will often find it blended with jasmine tea or vanilla, for example. As for the taste, it also has peculiar health benefits!
Dandelions contain sesquiterpene lactones – special compounds that stimulate the liver to produce bile. Bile is salient for the digestion and absorption of fats, so its increased production breaks them down super efficiently. This helps the body digest fats quickly and troubleless.
Dandelion tea is also stuffed with dietary fiber and polysaccharides that prop up regular bowel movements, making it a mild laxative. They add bulk to the stool and stimulate peristalsis – the wave-like contraction of intestinal muscles that move food through the digestive tract, which alleviates constipation and promotes regularity.
In dandelions, you can find bitter compounds, such as taraxacin, which enhance appetite. Their bitterness stimulates the production of digestive juices, including saliva, gastric acid, and bile. Because of that, they boost appetite and improve digestion, making it easier to consume and break down food.
This trait makes dandelion tea a terrific remedy for people who experience a lack of appetite due to digestive issues or illnesses.
What’s more, this tea has prebiotic benefits, too. It is rich in inulin, a type of prebiotic fiber that forwards the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. They play a salient role in maintaining a healthy digestive system, as a healthy gut microbiome is an epitome of efficient digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function.
Preparation
- 1-2 tsp of dried dandelion root or leaves
- 1 cup of boiling water
- Steep for 5-10 minutes.
Drinking this tea before and after meals stimulates digestion, reduces bloating, and alleviates indigestion.
Lemon Balm Tea
Besides the fact that essential oils in this tea provide a characteristic lemony scent, they also have carminative properties. This means they reduce gas and bloating, while tannins, special compounds, tighten and tone the tissues in the digestive tract. Together, they reduce inflammation and irritation in the gut.
Drinking lemon balm tea after meals alleviates feelings of fullness, bloating, and gas. By calming the digestive tract, the tea causes smoother and more efficient digestion.
Rosmarinic acid and eugenol (antispasmodic compounds) in its content are responsible for relaxing smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. They will reduce spasms and cramping, which are common in ailments like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Lemon balm tea showed amazing results in managing conditions like gastritis and colitis, as it reduces inflammation and discomfort. It supports the healing of already inflamed tissues in the digestive tract, especially the lining of the stomach and intestines.
Moreover, the tea is phenomenal for soothing stress-induced digestive problems like IBS, functional dyspepsia, and stress-related stomach discomfort. Thus, drinking lemon balm tea can be a calming ritual that will help you reduce your stress levels.
Preparation
- !-2 tsp of dried lemon balm leaves
- 1 cup boiling water
- Steep for 5-10 minutes.
Consume after meals for the best results.
image sources
- Ginger-on-Board: Julia Topp on Unsplash
- Herbal tea: Nikola Osmacho on Pexels
