As with OTC laxatives, herbal teas can cause side effects. For example, too much senna tea may result in diarrhea, while caffeine can cause heart palpitations and anxiety. Before taking a herbal tea to relieve constipation, individuals can ask a doctor or pharmacist whether the ingredients will be suitable.

Herbal teas may help with occasional constipation, but they are not a long-term solution. If a person finds they are reliant on laxative teas, they should contact a doctor to diagnose the cause of their constipation. Similarly to senna, dried cascara bark is a stimulant laxative that contains glycosides, which stimulate muscle contractions in the bowel.

It is available in tea form and typically works in 8—12 hours. However, there are risks to using cascara for constipation in the long term. The fresh bark is also poisonous. For these reasons, the FDA no longer considers it to be safe.

Learn more ways to relieve constipation naturally. Some teas that may help constipation include slippery elm, dandelion root, and rhubarb. However, the herb with the strongest evidence supporting its use for constipation is senna, which is also available OTC in pill form.

The potency and quality of herbal teas may vary between products and may not be safe for everyone. As a result, they may not always work. If constipation persists or occurs regularly, people should contact a doctor. This article looks at some possible natural alternatives to laxatives for people looking to have a bowel movement.

We also look at when to see a…. Olive oil has long been used as a simple treatment for constipation. Learn more about this home remedy that gets stools moving again, and how to use….

Epsom salt is a widely available home remedy for many ailments, including constipation. A person can use Epsom salt as a laxative by mixing it with…. My podcast changed me Can 'biological race' explain disparities in health? Why Parkinson's research is zooming in on the gut Tools General Health Drugs A-Z Health Hubs Health Tools Find a Doctor BMI Calculators and Charts Blood Pressure Chart: Ranges and Guide Breast Cancer: Self-Examination Guide Sleep Calculator Quizzes RA Myths vs Facts Type 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood Sugar Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction Connect About Medical News Today Who We Are Our Editorial Process Content Integrity Conscious Language Newsletters Sign Up Follow Us.

Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. Medically reviewed by Adrienne Seitz, MS, RD, LDN , Nutrition — By Jon Johnson — Updated on November 24, Overview 8 herbal teas Risks Other treatments Summary Certain teas may help to relieve constipation by stimulating the digestive system or adding bulk to stools.

Can tea help with constipation? Risks of herbal teas. Other treatments for constipation. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations.

We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles.

Ginger's most powerful digestion health benefit is its ability to minimize nausea. Dozens of studies have shown that ginger helps to inhibit feelings of nausea within one to six hours.

The studies have been conducted on pregnant women with morning sickness, chemo patients, and in conditions where people get seasick and motion sickness 3. Peppermint tea is a popular ingredient in herbal remedies for pain treatment. The tingly, fresh aroma and taste can help soothe stomach pain by decreasing inflammation.

This tea is particularly effective at treating stomach pains caused by upset stomach, bloating, and excess gas. Peppermint contains menthol and menthone which help to reduce inflammation and soothe the lining of the stomach and intestines 4. Peppermint tea also boasts antibacterial properties, which help to fight off bad bacteria that can make you sick.

Peppermint tea may also help alleviate the painful symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome IBS. A study from the University of Adelaide found that peppermint works directly on pain channels in the colon and gastrointestinal tract.

Peppermint tea helps to reduce inflammation and deactivates pain-sensing fibers 5. Chinese research has shown the potential benefits of black tea for gut health. One study published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that drinking black tea can help alter gut health. Tea contains polyphenols which help to boost populations of healthy gut bacteria.

These healthy bacteria are vital not only for digestive health but also for the immune system 6. Drinking black tea can help minimize digestive upsets and streamline gut function.

For added benefits try Lemonhead , which combines black tea with the health boosting properties of lemon and ginger. Licorice root tea is famous for treating a cough. It has also been used for centuries to treat digestive issues in traditional medicine in Asia.

Licorice root may help to prevent and treat ulcers by increasing the production of mucin, a compound that lines the stomach and protects the stomach from excess stomach acid.

The tea also contains flavonoids that may fight off H. pylori bacteria that cause ulcers 7. These same compounds may help fight off canker sores. This tea boasts a bitter flavor—similar to black licorice—and is often blended with other teas including lemon verbena, black cohosh, and lemon balm.

These tea blends have been shown to fight colic thanks to carminative effects that reduce spasms in the intestines 7. Oolong tea is one of the six true tea types It is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant but unlike black tea is only semi-oxidized.

The tea boasts antiseptic qualities that help to fight off bacteria that can cause stomach upset. The tea also has a basic pH level, helping to reduce symptoms of acid reflux. Oolong tea is also a well-known weight loss booster. Drinking this tea helps to speed up metabolism and boost fat burning.

This digestive tea can help the stomach and intestines break down fatty foods after a heavy meal 8. Chamomile tea is beloved as a bedtime tea. It offers natural sedative and calming effects that help to improve sleep and relax the senses.

Chamomile tea also works to soothe the digestive tract and alleviate symptoms of pain. Chamomile inhibits the production of pepsin—a digestive enzyme linked to acid reflux. The problem arises when too much pepsin is produced and reaches the esophagus. Chamomile helps to tame this digestive enzyme to reduce symptoms 9.

While supplies last! Do you ever wish you had an instant remedy for beating the bloat? It could be sitting right up on your kitchen shelf.

It may be a drink as old as time but one of the original jobs of the humble cup of tea was to provide a digestive aid to those with stomach complaints and other gastro issues.

Tea already has a reputation for being soft and soothing, and these traits work on the body as well as the mind. Across many cultures for centuries, tea is poured as an after-dinner treat or as part of the daily routine to encourage good gut health.

The digestive system plays a major role in our overall well-being. A good gut can positively impact everything from our immune system to mental health. Whether from stress, modern living, diet, or natural constitution, stomach issues can be a common and even a chronic ailment for many.

Here, we take a look at exactly how tea can help your system and delve deep to discover the best tea for digestion. There are many reasons why your digestive system could start to be sluggish and slow.

It could be something as simple as a diet change, a lifestyle shake-up, or being diagnosed with a digestive disorder or diabetes. The modern world moves at a fast pace, rest can be scarce, and food can be quick and convenient. This can wreak havoc on our digestive system and lead to discomfort when it comes to digestion.

Digestion tends to be a hour process after eating food. Then, the digestive enzymes in your stomach get to work breaking food down even further. Your small intestine gets involved with enzymes from your liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. The waste is then pushed toward your lower colon. Tea can help in a number of ways.

First, it keeps your body hydrated which is essential for keeping you regular. Second, tea is brimming with antioxidants, polyphenols, and certain compounds which can soothe, heal, and help your digestive enzymes to get into the swing of things. Certain kinds of herbal tea is often considered to be a brilliant booster when it comes to digestive health.

Herbal teas are sometimes called tisanes and refer to a drink made from herbs, spices, or plant matter steeped in hot water. These kinds of tea differ from the tea that comes from the camellia sinensis plant such as black tea. Herbal teas are often caffeine-free and are believed to have numerous health benefits unique to the herb or plant that the tisane is blended from.

The practice of sipping tea to soothe digestion is not a new-fangled idea, it has been around for centuries.

One of the most common cultures to turn to tea regularly is China where the popular and slightly fermented Pu-erh tea is often consumed after meals to help the body get in the mood and to encourage an easy flow of chew and finish. In Morocco sipping mint tea after a meal is also an integral part of the food and family home culture.

Tea as a digestive aid is a tried and tested remedy throughout the ages and around the world. Caffeine can stimulate the muscles within your colon which encourages bowel movements. It can also encourage diarrhea, heartburn thanks to its stimulative effect on the nervous system , a leaky gut, and dehydration which in turn can lead to constipation.

If you truly want to nurture your digestive system in a healthy way, herbal tea is the best solution.