Food allergies, fast food, digestive tract issues, or illnesses—everyone has experienced indigestion at some point, and resolving the problem can be frustrating. The best solution is often to identify the underlying cause, but if you want to quickly alleviate the pain, you can try a warm cup of tea for your stomach.
There are several types of stomach teas that can help soothe pain and come in a wide range of flavors, from sweet and floral to even spicy. To help you feel better, we have compiled a list of the best teas to calm your stomach and temper painful symptoms.
Recommendations for teas that soothe stomach pain associated with digestive issues
Many teas alleviate symptoms of nausea, pain, and excess gas when treating chronic conditions such as acid reflux and chronic gastritis. Whether you want to combat nausea or treat and prevent stomach ulcers, there is a stomach tea for every condition. Keep this guide handy so you know exactly which tea to choose to heal your stomach.
Ginger Tea
Ginger tea has been used for thousands of years as a remedy for nausea and digestive issues. It offers a variety of health benefits and healing compounds that alleviate stomach pain. Many people turn to ginger ale when experiencing stomach pain or nausea, but ginger tea contains higher concentrations of compounds that relieve these digestive issues, making it a better choice if you want to feel better faster.
This tea is made from fresh ginger root and has a strong effect when it comes to healing symptoms of indigestion. Ginger is a natural remedy for nausea and is often used to treat morning sickness in pregnant women and motion sickness caused by planes or boats.
In fact, a study conducted in Thailand examined pregnant women who had symptoms of morning sickness and found that 28 out of 32 patients noticed an improvement in their nausea when given a daily dose of 1 milligram of ginger root. As a general rule, a cup of ginger tea contains about 250 milligrams of ginger, so try to drink two to four cups of this tea to alleviate feelings of nausea.
Chamomile Tea Soothes Pain Associated with Heartburn
Chamomile tea is made from chamomile flowers. It is known worldwide as a soothing, relaxing drink and one of the best home remedies for stomach pain. Chamomile tea has carminative properties that help reduce feelings of gas and bloating that can cause stomach pain. Chamomile tea reduces abdominal gas, alleviating pain caused by stomach cramps. This tea also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe stomach conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome.
A scientific analysis from 2006 found that chamomile tea reduced gastric acid production, which can lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease if present in excessive amounts. Stress often exacerbates acid reflux along with other gastroesophageal diseases. Chamomile tea provides a natural calming effect that can help reduce stress and soothe an upset stomach.
Peppermint Tea Soothes Stomach Pain Associated with Indigestion and Diarrhea
Peppermint tea has been an integral part of alternative medicine for centuries. The leaves help alleviate pain associated with menstrual cramps and nausea, making it one of the best teas for the stomach. Peppermint has been shown to inhibit pain receptors originating from the colon, which cause severe pain in the stomach muscles.
The best part about peppermint tea is that you can easily grow these leaves right in your own kitchen to soothe stomach pain. Peppermint tea is a hardy, fast-growing crop that thrives well in most climates. To prepare the tea, simply add a few peppermint leaves to a cup of hot water. Let the mixture steep for 2 to 5 minutes.
One thing to note about peppermint tea: avoid it if you have acid reflux issues, as it can have unwanted side effects. While it is an excellent tea for alleviating pain associated with indigestion, it also relaxes the muscle that prevents bile from entering the esophagus from the stomach, thus worsening heartburn.
Basil Tea
Basil tea is not made from the same type of basil you add to pizza. Stomach pain basil tea is made from the plant Ocimum tenuiflorum and is commonly known as tulsi tea. This tea originates from Southeast Asia and is widely used in Indian medicine and Ayurveda. Studies have shown that basil tea has the ability to reduce acidity in the stomach and increase and extend the lifespan of mucosal cells that line the digestive tract and protect it from diseases. These studies have also shown that basil leaves can combat gastric ulcers, which cause severe discomfort and digestive disorders.
Fennel Tea to Reduce Gas and Bloating
Fennel tea is made from the seeds of the fennel plant, Foeniculum vulgare. The ancient Romans and Greeks believed that fennel increased the body’s strength and prolonged life. Researchers have found that fennel seeds and fennel tea can help stimulate gastric juice flow and reduce pain due to their antispasmodic and carminative properties. Traditional Chinese medicine has used fennel tea for centuries to treat gastroenteritis, indigestion, and hernias.
Scientists believe that fennel tea works by reducing gas and bloating, symptoms that can lead to stomach pain and chronic conditions such as colic in infants. To benefit from the soothing effects of fennel tea, add a teaspoon or a teaspoon and a half of fennel seeds to your tea each day. Fennel tea is generally considered safe, but consult a healthcare professional before giving it to infants or if you plan to consume it while breastfeeding.
Green Tea for Preventing Gastrointestinal Disorders
Green tea is widely researched for its health benefits. A study published in the European Journal of Pharmacology associates regular consumption of green tea with one of the best ways to prevent gastrointestinal disorders. The catechins in green tea are easily absorbed in the intestines, can accelerate the reduction of fat deposits, and stimulate metabolism, which can help heal certain digestive issues. Green tea can also help stimulate the production of gastric juices, including bile, which can help break down food more efficiently, leading to fewer cases of bloating and gas.
Research has shown that green tea can help alleviate colitis and chronic gastritis, two conditions caused by inflammation and irritation in the stomach that can affect digestion. Green tea contains catechins that help reduce inflammation and alleviate stomach pain.
We recommend consuming 2 to 3 cups of green tea per day to help improve digestion. Make sure to drink green tea after each meal and not on an empty stomach, as this can exacerbate stomach issues. Green tea contains natural caffeine, just like black tea, so limit your consumption of this tea before bedtime to prevent insomnia.
Black Tea Helps Alleviate Stomach Pain and Diarrhea
Black tea can help alleviate stomach pain and diarrhea due to the presence of tannins, which have an astringent effect on the intestinal mucosa. Diarrhea occurs when the intestinal lining is inflamed, and black tea reduces this inflammation to help restore digestive health.
In a randomized study conducted on patients aged 2 to 12 years, black tea effectively managed diarrhea that was not caused by bacteria. After 24 hours, patients who received black tea noticed a significant improvement in their diarrhea symptoms.
Black tea naturally contains caffeine, so it is best to avoid drinking this healthy stomach beverage before bedtime to ensure a good night’s sleep.
