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Over the years, the importance of gut health has been stressed more than ever, and for good reason! Poor gut health can cause problems with your immune system, your skin, your weight, and even your mental health. Not only is the health of your gut important to your long-term overall health and longevity, but also your every-day digestive comfort!
Got nausea? Gas? Bloating? Here are 5 herbs and spices that you can incorporate into your diet to help soothe your stomach and support your gut health.
Ginger
Has your mom ever told you to drink ginger ale on an upset stomach? Or given you a ginger mint when you were experiencing motion sickness? Although the sugar that comes along with the ginger extract in these cases can upset the stomach further, she was still onto something! Ginger and ginger extract has been shown to help improve a number of gastrointestinal issues, including digestion, nausea, bloating, gas and an overall stomach health.
Ginger has been shown to improve nausea in individuals, even in cases of chemotherapy, but especially in cases of morning sickness. If you're pregnant and dealing with morning sickness, research suggests that incorporating ginger can help!
Ginger can also improve digestion. Gingerol, a natural component of ginger root, helps digestion by improving "gastrointestinal motility" (a.k.a. the rate at which food exits the stomach and continues along the digestive process). Eating ginger encourages efficient digestion, so food doesn’t sit too long in the stomach. If you're struggling with poor digestion and bloating, again, try drinking ginger tea!
Our Favorite Teas With Ginger: Lady Ginger, Campfire Chai, Happy Place, Sweater Weather
Dandelion Root
Dandelion Root has been used to treat liver problems, but may also support healthy digestion and treat constipation. Dandelion Root contains a prebiotic fiber called "inulin", which has been shown to help move food through the digestion system so that it does not sit for too long.
If you like that coffee helps "get things moving" but don't like that it upsets your stomach, try a coffee alternative like Coffee Quitter, that contains dandelion root. It can encourage regular movements, without the high acidity that comes with coffee.
Our Favorite Teas With Dandelion Root: Coffee Quitter, Sleek and Slender, Smooth Jazz
Peppermint
While peppermint tea is usually drank for its pleasant, minty flavor it, luckily for us, also supports digestive health. Peppermint might help your stomach relax and reduce stomach cramps, nausea, bloating and gas, especially if you suffer with IBS.
One study looked at people with IBS and found that after only 4 weeks of taking peppermint oil capsules, their digestive symptoms improved by 40%! If you struggle with tummy issues, sipping a peppermint tea might help relieve symptoms.
Our Favorite Teas With Peppermint Tea: Peppermint Twist, Bye Bye Bloat, Stomach Soother
Puehr
Puehr (also spelled Pu-erh) tea is made from the same tea plant as green, black and white teas but it, unlike other teas, goes through a fermentation process. Because of this process it contains probiotics, like other fermented foods such as kimchi, kombucha, or yogurt.
Puehr contains the health benefits of tea AND the benefits of fermented foods, so you get double the benefits!
Our Favorite Teas With Puehr: Coffee Quitter, Campfire Chai, Bulletproof Breakfast
Spices
Yes, this is a big category, but it is impossible to pick just one!
Did you know that eating spices can support gut health by promoting the growth of healthy bacteria and suppressing the growth of bad bacteria? Seven spices were found to do this: black pepper, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, ginger, oregano, rosemary and turmeric. For a healthy microbiome, try incorporating tons of spices into your food and try finding a spice tea that you love!
Try ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, chipotle pepper, cardamom, cloves, cocoa, rosemary, and cumin. Not only will it make your food more flavorful and your teas more delicious, spices are incredibly healing for your gut health and overall health.
If you want to try four gut-friendly teas (Lady Ginger, Coffee Quitter, Campfire Chai and Lucky Morning Spice) without committing to a full-size? Check out November's Tea Talk Box! Follow along with us on Instagram and we'll show you how to turn these four gut-friendly into delicious lattes and mocktails, from a Peppermint Mocha to a Ginger Apple Cider.
Tea Talk Box Video on Instagram
Thanks so much for reading! If you liked this blog, check out this Gut-Friendly Peppermint Mocha recipe using Puehr and Dandelion Root.
Disclaimer: The information on this website is has been compiled from published sources and is provided only as a guide. While every effort has been taken to ensure that information published on this site is correct and up to date, this is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any illness. Also, although all of our teas are generally regarded as safe, please consult your doctor if currently using medication, pregnant or breastfeeding.
Sources:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org, https://www.nhs.uk/medicines