Digestion is not a comfortable topic of discussion for most of us. Stomach pains, bloating, gas, and constipation are just a few of the ailments that can prevent us from enjoying our days off or take the focus out of a busy day. Luckily, you don’t need to reach for the medicine cabinet to achieve a happy belly. Instead, consider brewing some delicious teas or tisanes (herbals teas) to combat your digestive woes! Below are six of our favorite digestion-supporting ingredients that can help bring balance back into your body.
Ginger
Ginger is a phenomenal root that is widely used in herbal and ayurvedic medicine. Through its antispasmodic properties, it has the ability to not only decrease bloating and gas but also increase gut motility[1]. Ginger has also been studied for its effects on nausea and vomiting and found to be an effective antiemetic herbal remedy [2]. This hearty root has a spicy, aromatic quality and can be found in our fan-fave organic Turmeric Tonic tea, boldly standing on its own, or in quite a few of our ginger tea blends.
Fennel
Fennel is another popular herbal remedy for those suffering from gas, bloating, and IBS symptoms as it is well known for its antispasmodic and carminative (anti-gas) activity. Next time you wake up with stomach cramps, reach for a cup of Rise and Chai or Turmeric Tonic tea to help soothe your belly before your day begins. Plus, the natural sweetness created by the fennel in tea adds to the yum-factor of many beloved blends.
Peppermint
Peppermint is another all-around favorite herb that has been used for centuries to aid with stomach pains. Peppermint has antispasmodic and carminative properties that make it a top choice post-meals [3]. For those days when you’ve had one-too-many tacos, try our Grasshopper Green tea or our pure Peppermint tea. The fresh aroma will waken up your mind while the natural menthol oils relax and nurture your digestive tract.
Black Pepper
Black pepper is one of the most common spices used in everyday cuisine- but did you know it is also one of the most potent digestive helpers? Black peppercorns, specifically, contain a compound called piperine which is responsible for sharp, pungent flavor. However, piperine has also been shown in studies to increase gastric secretions, digestive enzyme production, and balance gut flora [4]. Piperine helps to not only increase nutrient absorption on its own, but when taken together with turmeric, it aids in increasing the bioavailability of curcumin, the main anti-inflammatory compound found in turmeric!
Turmeric
As mentioned above, turmeric’s main claim to fame is the polyphenol compound curcumin which is responsible for this spice’s vibrant orange color as well as its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-microbial properties. Turmeric is another well-known antispasmodic, so it can aid bloating, gas and painful stomach spasms similarly to ginger, fennel, and peppermint [5]. Steep up fresh slices of this bodacious root or just go straight for our award-winning Turmeric Tonic tea- with its warming, spiced chai spice notes.
Pu’erh
Pu’erh tea is uniquely beneficial for the gut as it undergoes a microbial fermentation process after being picked and oxidized unlike other varieties, such as white, green, oolong or black tea. The major polyphenol present in pu’erh tea is strictinin and it has been shown to aid the gastrointestinal system in breaking down fat and aiding in constipation [6]. Restore balance and flow to your digestive tract the natural way with a cup of pure organic Pu’erh, Morning Mojo, Bolder Breakfast, or Rise and Chai.
References
[1] A link to a study on ginger and gut motility: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23612703
[2] A link to a study on ginger's effects on nausea and vomiting: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23638927
[3] A link to a study on peppermint's antispasmodic properties: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16767798
[4] A link to a study on piperine and gut health: https://primalherb.com/how-black-pepper-helps-boost-nutrient-absorption
[5] A link to a study on turmeric and it's antispasmodic properties: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/10/10/1553/htm
[6] A link to a study on strictinin and breaking down fat and aiding constipation: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28911609