9 Best teas for digestion you should know [2021]

Teas for digestion are very familiar among people. Tea plays an important role in the day-to-day life of people. Some people drink tea as soon as they woke up in the morning. Tea is offered as a welcome drink to guests. Tea is full of caffeine.  It gives us instant energy. Some herbal teas are very popular and use for the treatment of constipation, indigestion, and so many other gut ailments.  Now we are discussing some of them.

Characteristics of herbal teas for digestion

People have been drinking tea since ancient times to obtain energy, treat digestive issues, and get rid of many other kinds of illnesses. Several herbal teas are available in the market which helps treat constipation, nausea, indigestion, and many other ailments.

Some popular herbal teas are such,

1. Peppermint tea

Teas for digestion, Peppermint is a green herb of the Mentha piperita plant, that is popularly known for its refreshing flavor and ability to soothe an upset stomach, such as acidity, etc. 

Studies show there is a compound named ‘menthol’ in peppermint that improves our digestive system.  It is used to improve irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), an inflammatory condition of the large intestine, which causes stomach pain, gas, bloating, constipation, etc. But more study on the human being is required on the benefits of peppermint tea. 

2. Ginger Tea

Ginger, a well-known ayurvedic herb, is used as a spice all over the world,  its scientific name is ‘Zingiber Officinal’.  It is a flowering plant. It is a  spice and beneficial in various gut ailments, such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, gas, cramps, cold, cough.

Compound available in ginger, known as gingerols and shogaols, help stimulate stomach contractions and emptying process. In a study, it is found that intake of 1.5 gm ginger daily reduced nausea, vomiting of pregnancy, and sickness.

• How to make ginger tea

Boil 15 gm ginger slice in 300 ml water for  20 minutes. Strain it and drink approximately 200 ml decoction.

3. Gentian root

Teas for digestion, Gentian root comes from the Gentianaceae family of flowering plants, which grows all over the world. Different varieties of gentian roots are being used as appetite stimulators and in the treatment of gut ailments. It increases the production of digestive enzymes and acids. It also helps increase blood flow to the digestive system.

• How to prepare gentian root tea?

Steep 2-gram powder or dried gentian root in a cup of boiled water for 5 minutes, stain thereafter drink it before a meal, it will aid digestion.

4. Fennel tea

Fennel is an herb and is also used as a spice.  Its taste is like licorice. It can be consumed raw or cooked. It helps prevent stomach ulcers. Its antioxidant action prevents the development of an ulcer. Fennel promotes bowel movement and relieves constipation.

A study was carried out on 86 elderly people who were suffering from constipation, and it was found that those who drank fennel tea daily for 28 days scored normal bowel movements than those who did not receive fennel tea or were given a placebo.

• How to prepare fennel tea?

Take boiled water in a cup, mix one tsp fennel seed in it, and keep them for 15  minutes in the cup before drinking.

5. Angelica root tea

Teas for digestion, Angelica is a  flowering plant, grown all over the world. Its taste is earthy slightly celery-like.   It is a herbal plant. Each and every part of this plant is used in traditional medicine, but the angelica root is particularly used to increase digestion.

Animals studies show that polysaccharides in angelica root may increase the number of healthy cells and blood vessels in the digestive tract and protect the stomach against damage. It also fights against intestinal damage caused by oxidative stress in ulcerative colitis. Angelica root also stimulates the secretion of intestinal acids and relieves constipation.  On the basis of these results, it is considered that angelica root tea is beneficial in the various ailment of our gut. So we must drink its tea.

• How to make a tea of angelica root?

Put approximately 15 gm dried angelica root in a boiled 250 ml water,  and drink after 15 minutes.

6. Dandelion tea

Teas for digestion, Dandelions are weeds from the Taraxacum family. It grows yellow flowers and is grown all over the world.

Studies in animals show that dandelion extracts contain compounds that stimulate contraction in the stomach and increase the flow of food from the stomach to the intestine. Dandelions extract fights inflammation of the stomach by decreasing the production of acid in it. Thus drinking dandelion tea may promote digestion.  However, more research on humans is needed.

• How to make dandelion tea?

Put one cup of dandelion flowers into  2 cups water and boil the same. Thereafter remove from the heater, steep for 10 minutes, strain it through a colander before drinking.

7. Senna Tea

Senna is an herb that comes flowering Cassia plants. It contains a chemical i.e. sennosides,  which break down in the colon and act on smooth muscle, enhancing contraction and bowel movements. Study shows that senna is a highly effective laxative for adult and children. So senna tea is the best to get rid of constipation.

• How to prepare senna tea?

Put 4 gm senna leaves in a cup of boiled water for 10 minutes,  strain, and drink.

8. Marshmallow root tea

Marshmallow root is taken from the flowering Althaea Officinalis plant.  

Marshmallow roots contain polysaccharides mucilage, stimulating the mucus-producing cell, that coated the digestive tract. In addition to the above, it contains antioxidants properties, that decrease the level of histamine and protect from ulcers. It is highly effective in preventing stomach ulcers. However, more research on humans is needed.

• How to prepare marshmallow tea?

Put 15 gm dried marshmallow root in 250 ml boiled water, remain steep for 10 minutes, strain, and drink the same.

9. Black tea

Black tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. It is brewed with other plants in varieties. This tea enhances several healthy compounds, improve indigestion and theaflavins, is antioxidants, and protect against stomach ulcer.

Study in mice suffering from stomach ulcer, 3 days treatment with black tea and theaflavins healed 80% of ulcer by suppressing inflammatory compound and pathways.

And another study in mice found that black tea improved delayed gastric emptying and indigestion caused by medication.  Thus drinking black tea improves digestion, protect against ulcer, but more research in human is needed.  

• How to prepare black tea?

Steep a black tea bag in a cup of boiled water for 10 minutes and thereafter drink the same.

Safety precautions to be taken

Herbal teas are generally considered safe but it is advised to be cautious before starting any new herbal tea.

Herbal tea may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea if consumed in excess quantity.  It should not be given to children and pregnant women.

At the end

Herbal tea may provide many digestive benefits, such as constipation, ulcers, and indigestion.

Peppermint, ginger, and marshmallow are effective and improve the digestion system. But it is suggested that do not take an excessive amount of tea, it may cause many ailments.

Frequently Asked Question About Teas For Digestion