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Herb Teas for IBS

|Published on: Mar 8, 2021|Categories: IBS| 2 comments

Have you tried drinking herb teas for IBS? Soothing drinks which benefit your digestion can help you during an IBS flare up, or to keep bloating at bay and I recommend them to my clients.

The benefits of herb tea

Admittedly some people say they taste like drinking grass water, but I actually love them!
They are also a great way of adding hydration to your day, because herb tea counts towards your goal of around two litres of water a day.
Staying hydrated is important for people with IBS.
  • If you have diarrhoea predominant IBS (IBS-D) then you need to keep up your water intake
  • If you’re more prone to constipation then you need to keep up your liquid intake to stop stools getting too hard.

Do you want to know whether coffee is good for IBS? Read more about how coffee can affect your digestion.

So what’s the deal with herb teas for IBS?

Best herb teas for IBS

Herbs have long been used as traditional methods for soothing and supporting our health. Herb teas can all be made from the fresh herbs or from pre-prepared tea bags.
  • Warm tea can help you stomach relax and comfort you during a flare up.
  • Teas can be cooled and kept in the fridge if you prefer colder drinks.
Mint leaves in a white mug against white background

Peppermint tea reduces gas

Peppermint oil is an antispasmodic so can support relaxing painful stomach cramps, and is most effective in capsules, but the tea can be very helpful.

Its been traditionally used as a digestion aid in cultures around the world at the end of meals. Peppermint tea will relax the sphincter at the top of the stomach, increasing your burping,  so the gas doesn’t travel down the digestive system.

This is one reason why it’s best not to drink mint tea before bed, especially if you are prone to reflux.

    Does ginger help IBS?

    Ginger may help to reduce feelings of nausea (antiemetic) and reduce inflammation.
    A study on rats showed it may reduce water being drawn to the bowel, and reduces inflammation, which is helpful for IBS-D.
    Ginger is also a prokinetic which means it may help to keep bowels moving in the case of constipation, AND it may help to stop spasms of diarrhoea.
    So it’s useful for IBS-D and IBS-C, and I’ve written a whole blog about ginger for IBS if you want to read more.
    Start with a small amount of fresh ginger grated into warm water and see how you get on.
    cut ginger root, some lemon balm leaves, small pile of fennel seeds, and a herb tea in a glass, against a dark grey background

    Fennel may relax IBS cramps

    As well as adding flavour to curries and sauces, fennel has traditionally been used to relax gas, cramps and bloating.
    You can soak the seeds in hot water, or chew on a fresh after meals.  If you’re wondering what it tastes like, it has a licorice like taste.
    Fennel is a high FODMAP space so may not be suitable for some of you. If you’re trying for the first time start slowly.

    Grow your own IBS tea

    Lemonbalm grows very easily in the garden, and spreads like wildfire, so its easy to grow your own.
    Its a calming herb that may also benefit anxiety, sleeplessness and worry, and relax your gut.
    It’s thought to reduce hypersensitivity in the digestive system, to support IBS symptoms.
    Other useful teas include:
    ? chamomile
    ? liquorice
    ? turmeric
    ? lemon
    As an IBS nutritionist herb teas are part of my recommended IBS flare up kit. Let me know if you need help with your digestion, and we can set up a call.

    Hi I'm Anna Mapson, registered Nutritional Therapist.

    I help people with IBS and SIBO get control of unpredictable gut symptoms to find long term relief from painful and embarrassing IBS without restrictive dieting.

    I can help you to:

    • understand your digestion better, so you recognise your triggers
    • eat a well balanced diet, with tasty meals that are simple to prepare
    • develop better digestion and more energy

    Find more about my 3 month 1:1 Gut Reset programme

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    2 Comments

    1. Ellen Sweigart
      Ellen Sweigart on 3 September 2021 at 3:19 pm

      I just looked chamomile tea up on the Monash app and it is definitely not ok.

      Reply
      • Anna
        Anna on 3 September 2021 at 3:27 pm

        You’re absolutely right, but not everyone with IBS needs to avoid FODMAPS so this tea might help some people. 🙂

        Reply

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