If you suffer from bloating, constipation, gas or acid reflux, try adding homemade teas for digestion to your diet.
Today, digestive issues affect more people than ever. In fact, it’s estimated that 60 to 70 million people across the globe suffer from digestive diseases. And while the root cause of digestive distress will be different for each person, teas for digestion can be an effective short-term solution to help soothe an inflamed GI tract and reduce the severity of your symptoms.
Here are 5 of the best homemade teas for digestion that you can drink each day.
1. Fennel
Fennel seed is used therapeutically in herbal medicine to help reduce gas and bloating, as well as removing mucus from the digestive tract, which is a sign of inflammation.
One of the most common and easy to make homemade fennel teas for digestion is an Ayurvedic (traditional Indian medicine) tea called CCF tea. CCF stands for cumin, coriander and fennel, and when combined, these three herbs are said to greatly enhance digestive function.
CCF Tea Recipe
Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon whole dried fennel seeds
- ½ teaspoon whole dried coriander seeds
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon whole dried cumin seeds
- 3 cups of boiling water
Method:
1. Combine all of the seeds in a coffee grinder, and grind until they form a fine powder.
2. Place the powder and the water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes and remove from heat.
3. It’s optional to add cinnamon, ginger or a squeeze of lemon for extra flavor and an additional digestive boost.
4. Stir.
5. Let the tea simmer, and then strain the powder through a mesh metal strainer.
6. CCF tea can be enjoyed warm or cold.
2. Peppermint
Peppermint is known for soothing an inflamed digestive tract, promoting digestion and calming nausea. That’s why peppermint makes an ideal substitute for your post-meal cappuccino.
You can make peppermint tea at home simply by adding 2 tablespoons of fresh peppermint leaves to 1 cup of boiling water. Allow the peppermint leaves to steep for approximately 7 minutes before straining. Drink immediately. You can also add lemon, ginger or a touch of raw honey for flavour.
3. Ginger
Fresh ginger is a common natural remedy for reducing nausea and aiding in sea sickness. But ginger also helps stimulate bile and gastric acid production which helps improve digestion. Many people also swear by using ginger to help eliminate bloating and flatulence. Therefore, ginger tea may be one of the best teas for digestion.
To make ginger tea, simply grate 2-3 inches of fresh ginger and place in a mug of boiling water. You can also add a touch of raw honey or a squeeze of lemon for an extra digestive boost. Steep the ginger for 10 minutes before straining and drinking.
4. Chamomile
Chamomile tea is used in herbal medicine to help relax stressed muscles in the GI tract. Chamomile is also said to be helpful for eliminating many of the symptoms of IBS, such as gas, abdominal cramping, acid reflux and diarrhea.
There’s only ingredient you need for chamomile tea, which are chamomile flowers. You can find these at most local health food stores in bulk.
Here’s a recipe for chamomile tea that also includes the powerful natural anti-inflammatory, turmeric.
Chamomile and Turmeric Evening Tea (Makes 4 Cups)
Ingredients
- 2 cups filtered water
- 2 tablespoons dried chamomile flowers in a tea bag
- 1-3 teaspoons cold-pressed coconut oil
- 1 ½ cup unsweetened non dairy milk of choice
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of black pepper (optional)
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
Method:
1. Bring the water to a boil in a sauce pan.
2. Turn off the heat and add chamomile flowers. Let the chamomile steep for 3-5 minutes.
3. Strain the chamomile flowers and stir in the remaining ingredients.
4. Adjust the spices, honey and coconut oil to suit your tastebuds.
5. Reheat on low heat if needed, and enjoy!
5. Licorice Root
Licorice root is a herb commonly used for indigestion, and some studies suggest it may also be helpful for treating irritable bowel diseases (IBD) such as colitis.
You can make licorice root tea by buying dried licorice root from your local health food store. As a word of caution, licorice root may interact negatively with some medications, and may also raise blood pressure when consumed every day. For this reason, it’s best to check in with your qualified healthcare practitioner for the appropriate dosage and whether it’s safe for you to use.
To make licorice root tea, simply add 1 teaspoon of dried licorice root to 4 ounces of water and bring to a boil. Remove the tea from the heat and let it steep for approximately 5 minutes before straining and discarding the licorice root. You can also add ginger, lemon or raw honey for flavor.
Sources for this article include:
http://wellnessmama.com/119233/cumin-coriander-fennel-tea/
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/peppermint
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3271691/
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/licorice
