Many fragrant herbs work against bloating, gas, and stomach upsets. Chamomile, from all these herbs, has proven to be the most effective for these health problems.
As I said in my article about chamomile, it can solemnly be found in nature lately.
Consumption of foods such as beans causes bloating and stomach upset.
Mint and chamomile tea are some of the most effective tea mixes to relieve these symptoms.
Chamomile tea is also effective for people with chronic diseases of the digestive tract. In traditional medicine, this tea is given to babies who have cramps and abdominal pain.
In this article, I will cover two aspects of which teas can improve digestion. First, I will share mixes of teas that have been used and written about in folk medicine. The second part will be teas for which there are scientific studies that really work on these health problems.
Table of Contents
How to make chamomile tea to improve digestion?
- Put a tablespoon of dried chamomile in a clean bowl and pour over 2dl of boiled water.
- Cover and let stand for 1 hour. If you want stronger and lighter tea, leave it for 2 hours or longer. Then drain and drink.
- Unsweetened tea is drunk before a meal, and sweetened after a meal.
- For children, a smaller amount is placed as compared with adult dosage, but it all depends on age.
- For sweetening, add honey if desired.
Traditional Tea Mixes That Improve Digestion
These tea mixes have not only been used in ancient times but have also been recognized by well-known pharmacologists.
More ingredients may be needed, but adding them can only improve the healing process.
1. Mix of Teas That Improve Digestion
If you are uncomfortable with the smell of chamomile, make this mix which is also effective.
- Mix equal amounts of chamomile tea, mint and lemon balm tea.
- Put 1 tablespoon of the tea mixture in 2 dl of boiled water.
- Cover and let stand for 1 hour. If you want stronger and lighter tea, leave it for 2 hours or longer. Then drain and drink.
- Unsweetened tea is drunk before a meal, and sweetened after a meal.
- For children, a smaller amount is placed as compared with adult dosage, but it all depends on age.
- For sweetening, add honey if desired.
2. Mix of Teas That Improve Digestion
Mix an equal amount of the following teas:
- Chamomile
- Mint
- Lemon balm
- Thyme
- White horehound
Put 1 tablespoon of the tea mixture in 2 dl of boiled water.
3. Mix of Teas That Improve Digestion
Cumin is also known as a remedy for bloating and gas. It is consumed alone, or in combination with other good medicinal herbs such as fennel and anise. Coriander can sometimes be added to this mixture.
The healing ingredients of these fruits are deep inside. Therefore, it is necessary to mash them well before use.
Pour boiling water over it, cover, and leave for 2-3 hours.
4. Mix of Teas That Improve Digestion
Mix an equal amount of the following teas:
- Common centaury
- White horehound
- Lemon balm
- Mint
- Common hop
Pour one tablespoon of the mixture from these teas with 200 ml of boiled water. Cook for 1-2 minutes in a covered bowl.
Leave for 15 minutes, drain, and drink unsweetened before a meal.
5 . Mix of Teas That Improve Digestion
Mix an equal amount of the following teas:
- Anise
- Thyme
- Horsetail tea
- Wormwoods
Pour one tablespoon of the mixture from these teas with 200 ml of boiled water. Cook for 1-2 minutes in a covered bowl.
Leave for 15 minutes, drain, and drink unsweetened before a meal.
6 . Mix of Teas That Improve Digestion
Mix an equal amount of the following teas:
- 30 grams dried fennel
- 30 grams cumin
- 30 grams dried coriander
- 10 grams garden angelica dried root
Mash 3 tablespoons of the mixture from these teas until they become powder.
Take as much bean from the powder after a meal. In addition, drink chamomile tea prepared following the first recipe.
If you do not have all the ingredients, to simplify the recipe and also be effective, you can only use:
- 1 tablespoon dried fennel
- 1 tablespoon dried coriander
The procedure is the same.
All of these teas not only reduce gas, but also increase appetite and boost immunity.
Normally, you should pay attention to your diet when consuming these teas. Avoid foods that are difficult to digest if you have a more serious problem.
And once again, unsweetened teas are drunk before eating and sweetened if drunk after the meal.
Scientifically Proven Teas That Improve Digestion
In this section, simpler teas will be easier to find and easier to prepare. Modern scientific research has been done for them as well.
These include gentian root tea, senna tea, peppermint tea, angelica root tea, fennel tea, dandelion tea, ginger tea, black tea, and marshmallow root tea.
Ok, let’s start with a look at each one separately.
Gentian Root Tea
Gentiana are several species of plants that have had large flowers, mostly blue. They all belong to the gentian family and can be found almost anywhere in the world.
The root is most often used for tea and we will talk about it the most.
For tea, you need 2 grams of dried gentian root. Pour 250 ml of boiling water over it. Leave for 10-15 minutes and drain. Drink it before you start eating.
Drinking gentian root mixed with water improves digestion by increasing blood flow to that system. This has been proven in a study involving 38 healthy individuals.
The iridoids, or bitter components, are responsible for increasing the production of acids and digestive enzymes. This helps to reduce digestive disorders. A study based on the use of these roots by nomadic people of Siberia who have consumed mostly meat that is difficult to digest proves this.
Yes, gentian root in all variations was used in ancient times to stimulate the appetite and treat stomach problems, shows this study.
Senna Tea for Constipation
Senna are a genus of plants with yellow flowers and belong to the legume family.
To make senna tea, you need 4 grams, or a teaspoon, of dried senna leaves. Pour 250ml, or a cup, of boiling water over them, cover, and leave for 10-15 minutes. Drain and drink.
This type of tea is most effective against constipation.
Sennosides are chemicals that make up the senna plant. They allow muscle relaxation, bowel movements, and promote constructions.
This has been proven in a study of 60 respondents diagnosed with cancer. In their medical therapy, they used opioids that cause constipation. For the purposes of the study, they took sennosides for a period of 5-12 days. At the end of that period, as many as 60 percent of them reported bowel movement in the middle of that period.
The Senna plant has been shown to be effective in children and adults who have had constipation for other reasons. Furthermore, this study showed that it acts as a laxative in all groups.
Drink senna tea only when needed (i.e. when you have constipation). Drinking tea unnecessarily can lead to diarrhea.
Peppermint Tea
To make peppermint tea, you need 8-10 fresh, or dried, leaves. Pour 120 ml of boiling water over them and leave for 10-15 minutes.
It is well known that peppermint tea is drunk for upset or stomach pain. There are still no scientific studies done specifically on peppermint in the form of tea. But there is one which concerns itself with the oil from the same plant. The tea is thought to have almost the same benefits as oil.
Several studies have shown that the menthol contained in peppermint helps overcome digestive problems. These studies were made on humans and animals.
The studies I mentioned earlier on peppermint oil were made on how it affects the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is actually what it is most commonly used for. This condition causes inflammation of the large intestine, which in turn results with gasses, bloating, and abdominal pain.
People with IBS were treated with peppermint oil capsules twice daily for 4 weeks. After that period, 75% of respondents reported improvement in symptoms. The placebo group reported 38% for the same.
Angelica Root Tea
You can also find it as archangelica, Norwegian angelica, and garden angelica. It is known for its sweet stems and edible roots.
To make angelica root tea, you need 14 grams, or 1 tablespoon, of dried angelica root. Pour 250 ml of boiling water over it and leave for 10-15 minutes. Drain and drink.
This type of tea contains polysaccharide which increases healthy cells in blood vessels and thus protects the digestive tract from damage. This is the result of an animal study.
Because of this, angelica tea also helps with an inflammatory condition that causes sores in the colon called ulcerative colitis. That is, it restores damaged cells from oxidative stress.
On the other hand, studies on humans have shown that angelica root increases the secretion of intestinal acids and thus helps to overcome constipation.
Yes, angelica tea helps the digestive tract, but more studies are needed on humans to confirm its effect.
Fennel Tea
Fennel plant belongs to the carrot family. It is a plant that blooms with yellow flowers and can usually be found along the Mediterranean.
To make fennel tea, you need 4 grams, or 1 teaspoon, of dry fennel root. Pour 250 ml of boiling water. Leave for 10-15 minutes, drain and drink. You can do the same with fennel seeds.
Drinking fennel tea significantly increases the daily bowel movement. This is the result of a study in which 86 adults consumed this tea every day for 28 days.
The fennel tea, with its antioxidant components, is also quite effective in the treatment and healing of ulcers. That is, antioxidants restore the damage done by the ulcer. This is the result of an animal-based study.
This tea helps with constipation and increases bowel movement. It is not yet known how fennel works as a laxative.
Dandelion Tea
Tea can be made from flowers, leaves, or roots. Put a teaspoon of any part of the plant. Pour 250 ml, or a cup, of boiling water. Leave for 10-15 minutes, strain and drink.
Dandelion extract reduces the secretion of stomach acid, reduces inflammation, and thus prevents ulcers.
The same extract increases muscle contractions and thus speeds up the transfer of food from the stomach to the small intestine. This is shown by a study of animals.
More studies on humans are needed to prove these benefits of dandelion.
Ginger Tea
Ginger is a plant that is native to Asia. It has a yellow flower, and the root is used for tea and spice.
To make ginger tea, you need 14 grams, or a tablespoon, of fresh ginger. Pour 250 ml, or a cup, of boiling water over the tea. Leave it to stand for 10-15 minutes while being covered. Drain and drink.
Eating 1.5 grams of fresh ginger a day reduces vomiting and nausea caused by chemotherapy, pregnancy and more. This was the result of a larger study in which ginger was the subject of research.
Taking supplements containing the same 1.5 grams of ginger inhibits gastric emptying 4 minutes faster than the placebo group. This study was performed on 11 patients with indigestion.
Ginger contains shogaols and gingerols. These components lead to increased contractions and faster emptying of the stomach. This helps reduce bloating, gas, nausea, discomfort and overall digestion, the study found.
Black Tea
Black tea is made from the Camellia sinensis shrub. Green, white, and oolong tea are made from the same herb, but with different levels of oxidation. Black tea, unlike the other three, is the most oxidized, the strongest, and has the most powerful taste. The most famous black teas are Earl Grey and English Breakfast.
We all know how to make black tea. 1 sachet in 250 ml of boiled water. Cover and let it stand for 10-15 minutes. Drain and drink.
Black tea contains thearubigins components that enhance theaflavins and indigestion. It acts as an antioxidant and prevents and treats ulcer damage, the results of this studies show.
Another study on the same topic this time was done on mice with ulcers. After 3 days of treatment with black tea, the ulcer receded to 78% -81%. That is, pathways and inflammation are reduced.
Black tea extract speeds up gastric emptying in constipation caused by medications, is shown by this study also performed on mice.
Marshmallow Root Tea
Marshmallow plants can be found along rivers because they love moist and sandy soil.
To make this tea, you need 14 grams, or one tablespoon, of dried marshmallow root. Pour 250 ml of boiling water over it and leave it covered for 10-15 minutes. Drain and drink.
Marshmallow root extract reduces the risk of ulcers caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This study was performed on animals.
Marshmallow root may decrease levels of histamine which is secreted during inflammation with its antioxidant properties. And this leads to the prevention of ulcers shows this study.
Polysaccharides contained in marshmallow root, like mucilage, stimulate the production of mucus-producing cells. These cells line the digestive tract, shows this studyy with a similar subject to the previous one.
Further research on the positive effect of marshmallow root tea on the digestive tract is needed.
Precautions
Teas are generally safe to drink, but bringing new tea into the body should be with a precaution.
Start with a smaller dosage, and see how you feel. If you feel that something is wrong, stop consuming it. If you feel better, continue.
Some teas may interact with other medications or cause nausea, dizziness, and weakness.
It is not yet sufficiently researched how all these teas work on children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers, so stay on the safe side and consult a doctor before consuming them or don’t consume them at all.
Final Words
The first part of tea mixes to improve digestive health and solve many digestive problems are used in folk medicine and are recognized by well-known pharmacologists. There are no scientific studies on them, but in the past, they have been shown to be quite effective. They may be a little more complicated and difficult to find the herbs, but the results can be worth it.
For the second part, teas have scientifically limited studies that show the positive effect of certain herbs on digestive problems, but further research is needed. These teas are simpler and easier to find, because they are present in everyday life.
Be careful when drinking any tea for the first time. Try a smaller amount if you feel better and continue, and if you feel any discomfort, stop drinking tea and consult a doctor.
For pregnant women, nursing mothers and children, there are no studies on how all of these teas affect them, so consult a doctor before you start using them, or do not consume them at all.
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