When you are struggling with your digestion or experiencing gut issues, a soothing cup of herbal tea after a meal is a gentler and more enjoyable remedy than over-the-counter medicines. Here are 7 of our favourite herbal teas for digestion.
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Herbs are a great way of naturally supporting a healthy gut. Many have been used for thousands of years to treat digestive issues – anything from constipation and bloating to nausea and diarrhoea. Plus, there’s increasing scientific evidence that these natural remedies effectively alleviate gut issues.
Herbal teas are a delicious way to get more herbs into your diet. They also help you reach your daily fluid intake goals. Dehydration can cause gut issues, so making sure you get plenty to drink is crucial when you are experiencing problems.
Here are seven of the best herbal teas for digestion and gut health.
1. Peppermint
A cup of peppermint tea is a refreshing end to any meal. It also has plenty of benefits for your digestive health. It is no surprise that peppermint has been used as a remedy for indigestion since the time of the Ancient Egyptians.
Peppermint contains a compound called menthol. It is this active ingredient that seems to make peppermint tea such an effective remedy for digestive issues. Peppermint helps to reduce abdominal pain and other symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Peppermint also relaxes the oesophagus and intestine, helping to prevent indigestion and nausea.
We combine peppermint with raspberry leaves in one of our most popular flagship teas. Brilliant for anyone suffering from menstrual pains or who is currently pregnant, this tea is also a great choice for those with digestive issues.
2. Ginger
Fiery ginger is a favourite herb in Ayurveda, the traditional holistic healing system that originated in India. This is because the gut is a major focus in Ayurvedic medicine, which aims to keep the digestive fire – agni – strong and healthy.
Ginger has plenty of benefits for our digestion. It is often taken during the first trimester of pregnancy, where it helps to soothe nausea and prevent vomiting. You don’t have to be pregnant to find ginger useful though. It helps with many forms of stomach upset, including motion sickness, indigestion, and nausea as the result of chemotherapy.
We use ginger in several of our teas, both for its benefits and because of its delicious flavour. For digestive support, find ginger with other helpful herbs in our NutraCleanse and NutraTrim teas. You could also try our Ginger and Ginseng flagship tea.
3. Fennel
Fennel has many uses, including soothing digestive complaints. As an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, fennel tea helps restore the balance in your gut and encourage healthy digestion.
Fennel is effective against many harmful forms of bacteria, including those that cause digestive issues like diarrhoea and indigestion. It also reduces the symptoms of IBS, including abdominal pain.
Fennel adds a lovely taste to any herbal tea blend, which is another reason we like to include it in many of our teas. It’s a crucial ingredient in our NutraTrim tea, where we combine it with other herbs to promote digestive health and curb cravings.
4. Dandelion Root
You may know dandelions best for their cheerful yellow flowers, but their roots are a traditional herbal remedy for many health conditions, including digestive issues.
The active components in dandelion root promote healthy digestion by helping food move smoothly through our digestive tracts. As a rich source of antioxidants, dandelion root also helps combat inflammation, which is often the cause of gut issues.
If you are feeling bloated, dandelion root tea is a great choice. It is an effective diuretic, meaning it can relieve water retention and bloating.
We use dandelion root in our NutraCleanse tea to support digestion, aid kidney function, and help your liver remove toxins. It is also a vital ingredient in our NutraTrim and NutraRelease teas.
5. Artichoke
Artichoke is well-known for supporting our livers and helping us detox after a period of overindulgence. It has other benefits for our health too, especially when it comes to digestion.
Artichokes contain a type of fibre called inulin, which is a prebiotic. Unlike probiotics, which contain beneficial bacteria that our digestive systems need, prebiotics are a source of food for the good bacteria already in our guts. This helps to maintain a healthy balance and keeps our digestion running smoothly.
Taking artichoke extract regularly also helps to improve the levels of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Our NutraCleanse tea uses artichoke for healthy digestion and to support your liver.
6. Liquorice
Naturally sweet, liquorice (Licorice) is a tasty addition to any herbal tea. It also helps to support your gut health and has been used as a herbal remedy for many centuries.
Like artichoke, liquorice is great for protecting your liver and keeping it working well to keep your body free from toxins. Liquorice is an effective remedy for indigestion and helps to calm acid reflux and heartburn too.
Our Liquorice and Cinnamon flagship tea is a delicious and warming blend that is both grounding and energising. We also use liquorice in our NutraCleanse tea, where it’s combined with other herbs that help the digestion.
7. Turmeric
Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric is another herbal tea ingredient that we recommend for anyone wanting to maintain their digestive health.
Like ginger, turmeric is one of the core herbs used in Ayurveda. Western medicine is also catching up to the benefits of this powerful ingredient.
The main active component in turmeric is curcumin. This antioxidant can help reduce the symptoms of many digestive conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome and Colitis.
Supplementing with turmeric can improve our gut flora, helping us to digest our food and avoid issues.
We’ve combined turmeric with cinnamon to make one of our favourite warming flagship teas.
