Digestive upsets are common, but simple herbal remedies can help to prevent or relieve indigestion. Herbal tea made with fennel seeds stimulates digestion after a heavy meal, and peppermint tea prevents indigestion and bloating. Chamomile is a home remedy for many digestive upsets, and ginger is a traditional remedy for nausea. Drink herb teas any time to soothe an upset stomach or serve them after meals to help the digestive system.
The best herbal teas for indigestion
Chamomile
Chamomile is a gentle herbal home remedy for digestive upsets, stomach cramps and diarrhea. It also calms the nerves and helps you to sleep better, and it is an ideal remedy for a nervous stomach. If you have trouble relaxing, drink a cup of chamomile tea at bedtime. Chamomile is safe and suitable even for children.
Ginger
Ginger is a well-known remedy for nausea and stomach upsets. Ginger tea, crystallized ginger or ginger candies can prevent travel sickness and all types of nausea. To make ginger tea add a few thin slices of fresh ginger to a cup of boiling water, leave the tea to steep for 10 minutes, and add a teaspoon of honey or lemon juice for flavor.
Peppermint
Peppermint tea is a popular home remedy for indigestion. Serve mint or peppermint tea after a heavy or fatty meal to aid the digestive process, to alleviate stomach pain, to reduce bloating and flatulence or to relieve nausea. You can use fresh peppermint or mint leaves or you can use peppermint tea bags that are available from most health food stores and supermarkets. Peppermint also helps to relieve cold symptoms and to freshen the breath after a meal.
Fennel
Fennel seeds alleviate many digestive upsets, including bloating and flatulence. They are also known to boost appetite. Many Asian restaurants offer fennel seeds for customers to chew on after a meal because the seeds are believed to stimulate digestion. Fennel tea is available in tea bags, but you can also use fennel seeds from your spice cupboard to make tea at home. Crush a teaspoon of fennel seeds, add them to boiling water and leave to infuse for 5-10 minutes. Strain the tea and drink it after a meal.
Serve a cup of herbal tea after a rich or heavy meal to promote digestion and to prevent stomach upsets. Herb teas can be served hot or chilled, and you can add honey for natural sweetness and flavor. Herbal teas have many other health benefits too, and as they do not contain caffeine, you can enjoy most herb teas even at bedtime.