An upset stomach can ruin your day. Whether it’s uncomfortable bloating, nausea or abdominal pains, you’ll want to find an effective yet gentle solution – and fast.
Some healthy foods, such as legumes, dairy products and cruciferous veggies can actually make stomach pains worse. But, there are other foods and drinks which can help to ease stomach pains.
Herbal tea is one such remedy that can help your upset stomach. As well as a range of unique flavors, herbal teas contain many health benefits. Some can help to protect and repair the stomach. While others reduce abdominal pain by aiding digestion. But, some herbal teas work better than others for certain stomach problems.
Here we reveal the best tea for upset stomach depending on the cause of your discomfort and the exact symptoms you’re experiencing.
Chamomile Tea
Known as a calming tea, chamomile tea helps reduce anxiety and stress. But, it also helps to relieve the abdominal discomfort that these issues can cause.
The anti-inflammatory and carminative properties of chamomile tea mean that it works well as a tea to soothe stomach pains. Chamomile tea reduces gas and promotes relaxation, and it can help with indigestion. Chamomile can also help to relieve irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
As a gentle herb, chamomile is usually well-tolerated. But those with an allergy or sensitivity to chrysanthemums and ragweed should avoid drinking chamomile tea as it could bring on an allergic reaction.
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea has many curative properties, acting as a natural headache relief, as well as being widely recommended as a tea for upset stomach.
As well as helping to aid digestion and settle the stomach, peppermint tea can also help reduce nausea, flatulence, bloating and menstrual cramps. Peppermint tea works by soothing and relaxing the stomach muscles. It also encourages the release of bile from the gallbladder. This allows your body to digest fat more effectively and allows food to pass through the stomach at a faster rate.
Peppermint tea is also effective for those suffering from IBS. This is due to the way it helps suppress pain signals from the colon.
But, peppermint tea may not be suitable if you are suffering from heartburn due to the relaxing effect the tea has on the sphincter muscle. Also, people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) should not drink peppermint tea as it can worsen symptoms.
Fennel Tea
Although fennel tea is less well known as a tea for stomach ache than most other teas on this list, it is an effective treatment for digestive problems.
Thanks to the way fennel tea soothes the muscles of the gastrointestinal system, it can help to relieve the pain of trapped wind, bloating and menstrual cramps. It also helps to aid digestion, relieve nausea and heartburn.
And, fennel tea can even help to treat the muscle spasms caused by ulcerative colitis, IBS and Crohn’s disease.
Licorice Tea
As well as being great for sore throats, tea made from licorice root is also beneficial for your stomach.
In fact, drinking licorice tea can help to ease stomach ulcers. It also helps reduce the bloating, indigestion and abdominal pain they can cause. Or, if your stomach pain is due to food poisoning, licorice tea can help to restore balance and speed up repair. This is thanks to the protective effect licorice tea has on the lining of the stomach.
But, you should look for licorice that does not an extract called glycyrrhizin to ensure optimal effectiveness in the treatment of ulcers or food poisoning.
Spearmint Tea
With a sweeter, softer taste than peppermint tea, spearmint tea has a delicious flavor and is rich in antioxidants.
And, many people drink spearmint tea to ease the pain of stomach ache. Spearmint tea also helps to reduce bloating, gas, nausea and indigestion.
Ginger Tea
Ginger root has been used for its medicinal properties for thousands of years around parts of Asia.
As a tea that helps stomach aches, ginger tea can offer relief from bloating, nausea and indigestion. Ginger is also used as a common cure for motion sickness and the vomiting that can occur as a result.
Ginger tea reduces nausea and vomiting in pregnant women. And, it can even help to reduce the severity of nausea in patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Basil Tea
Drinking tea made of basil leaves might not be an obvious choice, but many people find it to be an excellent tea for an upset stomach.
In fact, it might be good to have some basil tea on hand during the holidays as it can help ease the pains and discomfort of overeating, and also offers relief from indigestion.
Rooibos Tea
Originally from Africa, rooibos is gaining more recognition around the world thanks to its unique flavor and health-boosting properties.
Also known as bush tea or red bush tea, rooibos is caffeine-free. Many people consider it to be a healthier alternative to green tea as it can help to treat allergies and improve circulation and bone health.
It’s also a great choice if you’re looking for a tea to settle stomach pains. As well as offering relief from even severe abdominal cramps, rooibos tea is good for heartburn, constipation, and can even help stomach ulcers.
Best Tea for Upset Stomach
Finding the best tea for upset stomach often depends on the cause of your pain and your particular symptoms. While some of the herbal teas listed above help a range of stomach complaints, others offer more specific gastrointestinal relief.
But, the good news is that, with so many different beneficial herbal teas to choose from, you’re sure to find one you love which also helps ease your stomach ache.
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