What Herbal teas are best for your bowels?
If you’re looking for help with the most effective herbal teas for constipation then you’ve come to the right article.
Constipation is a common condition where a person experiences difficulty emptying their bowel or has infrequent bowel movements.
Technically, passing less than three bowel movements in a week is defined as constipation.
People drink herbal teas because they help them unwind and relax and also for their numerous health benefits- one of which includes a laxative effect.
Herbal teas can help ease digestive issues and relieve constipation.
But because they can be very potent, you’re advised to limit how much you drink and how often you drink these teas.
In this article, we will look at the 15 best herbal teas for constipation and have a look at how science says these teas work to enhance digestive health.
What are the Common Causes of Constipation?
Constipation is a widespread problem that most people experience from time to time.
There are many causes of constipation, most of which are not a result of an underlying medical condition.
But chronic constipation can be painful, and it may be a sign of an underlying health issue that must be addressed to ease the symptoms.
Some of these health conditions that affect the colon and impede the passage of stool include inflammatory bowel disease, a hernia, cancerous tumors, etc.
Generally, this uncomfortable condition affects millions of people daily.
Mainly because of not drinking enough water (dehydration), medication side effects, lack of high-fiber foods, and lack of physical activity.
Other factors that can cause constipation include not using the bathroom when necessary, lifestyle changes, aging, and overuse of laxatives.
How Does Tea Help With Constipation?
Generally, regular consumption of fluids, including plenty of water, tea, and fruit juices, will keep your body hydrated.
This can prevent constipation or naturally ease it.
Any extra water in the body keeps your intestines lubricated.
In addition, more moisture will remain in your stool, making it softer and helping it to pass more smoothly.
Beyond meeting your daily fluid requirements, herbal teas also possess beneficial active ingredients that can relieve constipation and help you empty your bowel.
Herbal teas possess beneficial active ingredients that can relieve constipation and help you empty your bowel.
For instance, cascara tea has been used as a stimulant laxative for constipation since the 1800s.
Senna tea has also been used in medicine in laxative preparations since ancient times.
Today, cascara sagrada and senna teas are taken in herbal remedy teas and are also available in supplements forms.
They work by interfering with water absorption by the colon, allowing a lot of moisture to remain in the stool.
The warmth of the hot water (tea) can also stimulate the digestive system, helping relieve the symptoms of constipation.
Herbal teas should only be consumed for short-term constipation relief.
14 must-drink herbal teas for constipation
1. Senna Tea
Senna tea is a well-known natural remedy that’s heavily marketed as a laxative, detox tea, and weight loss aid.
It is commonly used to relieve occasional constipation.
Researchers have found that senna tea contains active compounds that have powerful laxative effects.
Senna works by irritating the colon lining.
This promotes colon muscle contractions and bowel movements.
Senna plants possess glycosides compounds that help alleviate constipation by stimulating the digestive system to break down and pass food efficiently.
This laxative tea has also been shown to promote proper digestion, which can help relieve constipation.
Though it’s not a solution for permanent weight loss, senna tea may be helpful for those looking to lose weight fast.
2. Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea is one of the best herbal teas for constipation.
It’s widely used as a herbal remedy for treating digestive issues like nausea and irritable bowel syndrome.
In fact, many OTC medicines for digestive ailments contain peppermint extract.
Peppermint contains menthol and menthone, which are known to have a soothing effect.
This can help relax an upset stomach and move stool properly through the large intestines.
Scientific evidence also shows that the compounds in peppermint can decrease inflammation while reducing the abdominal pain that causes a bloated stomach and stomach cramps.
3. Ginger Tea
Ginger tea has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years and is known for its incredible ability to treat nausea.
This powerful stomach aid is especially helpful when constipation results from poor digestion.
Ginger is a great tasting tea with bright, citrusy notes, often drank as a complementary natural remedy for digestive issues.
The tea contains two common ingredients, shogaol and gingerol, which are known to help reduce inflammation.
It also works on a chemical level to relieve the side effects of constipation, like bloating and cramping.
In addition, drinking a small amount of ginger root tea as part of your daily routine is a great way to support overall health and give you added nutrients.
4. Dandelion Tea
Dandelion root tea offers many positive effects on your digestive system.
It was used in folk medicine to boost appetite, relieve constipation, and alleviate minor digestive ailments like bloating and occasional constipation.
Dandelion also works by stimulating the production of bile, a vital ingredient for digestion and breaking down & absorption of fats.
The bile acids contained in bile juice communicate to the body that food needs to be broken down (digested) into nutrients and waste.
This promotes proper bowel movements.
The herbal tea also acts as a diuretic by adding more water to the digestive system and increasing moisture content in stools.
5. Green Tea
True teas like green tea are derived from the Camellia sinensis plants.
Green tea bags contain caffeine, a well-known laxative ingredient that can help you poop.
These delicious teas also contain antioxidants which can boost your overall immune system.
People looking to relieve constipation should consume darker true teas like oolong tea, black tea, and Pu-erh tea.
These types of tea contain a higher concentration of caffeine which can stimulate motility in the digestive system, improving digestion and causing bowel movements.
6. Chamomile Tea
This tea is made from chamomile flowers and is one of the recommended herbal teas for constipation.
Chamomile tea is used to help treat a variety of health problems.
Studies suggest that it can help reduce anxiety, promote better sleep, and calm stomach aches while relieving other digestive issues.
This fragrant herb has a soothing effect that relieves constipation by soothing your stomach muscles.
Its anti-inflammatory properties can also reduce cramping and remedy inflammation.
This allows your digestive system to move food properly.
A cup of chamomile tea after each meal or at the end of the day is the best way to soothe your digestive system and promote regular bowel movements.
7. Liquorice Root Tea
Liquorice root tea is a potent herbal tea for constipation.
It is commonly used as a gastrointestinal remedy, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Licorice root tea is a tonic for many digestive problems, and it helps in food digestion while preventing constipation that stems from medications.
Add this tea to your daily routine or drink a cup of tea after every meal to stimulate the digestive system and encourage regular bowel movements.
8. Marshmallow Root Tea
Marshmallow root tea has been used as a folk remedy for decades to treat digestive issues.
Marshmallow’s medicinal potency is partly due to the polysaccharide substance referred to as mucilage.
It has the potential to act as a diuretic, helping the body flush out enough fluids.
Marshmallow tea also possesses a soothing effect and natural laxative properties that make it a popular ingredient in herbal teas.
A cup of marshmallow root tea is best drank towards the end of the day.
9. Parsley Tea
Parsley tea is an excellent source of antioxidants and vital nutrients that can help with digestive disorders.
It offers numerous health benefits like aiding in blood sugar control, boosting overall immunity, and acting as a natural detoxifier.
Drinking teas that contain either the dried leaves or seeds of the Parsley plant can help relieve mild constipation.
The leaves and stems of the plant were often chewed to help with symptoms like flatulence and bad breath.
10. Black Tea
Black tea is another type of true tea that’s extremely popular throughout the world.
This low-calorie drink offers multiple health benefits and could help with conditions such as constipation.
Both hot and iced black teas have a mild laxative effect that can potentially prevent constipation.
The good news is that you can consume black tea without any long-term health risks.
Additionally, you can add honey or molasses to the tea to enhance its laxative effect.
11. Turmeric Tea
Turmeric tea is one of the helpful herbal teas for constipation.
Being one of the plants in the ginger family, turmeric contains curcumin.
This possesses immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties that may help with constipation.
Turmeric tea can relieve inflammation in the gastrointestinal system, which often causes constipation, gas, and bloating.
The antioxidant properties in curcumin may alkalize the gut, reducing the effect of acid refluxes, which is also a common cause of inflammation.
12. Lemon tea
Lemon tea is a naturally refreshing drink where you add lemon juice to your green tea or black tea.
It provides numerous health benefits and may be one of the most effective teas for constipation.
The citric acid in lemon is a natural laxative that fights toxins that may be present in the digestive tract.
The high amounts of vitamin C in lemon can cure constipation by treating indigestion and softening your stool to ensure easy bowel movement.
13. Aloe Vera Tea
Aloe vera tea is a herbal beverage that has been consumed for decades thanks to its remarkable medicinal properties.
The tea is made by steeping a dried sap of the aloe vera plant.
One of the top health benefits of aloe vera tea is treating periodic constipation.
The outer part of aloe vera plants contains compounds known as anthraquinones which have a natural laxative effect.
Additionally, the warmth of aloe vera tea can help move the loose stools along and allow easier passage.
14. Fruit Tea
Fruit teas are teas with fruit flavorings.
Some experts suggest that teas flavored with fruits like cherries, prunes, peaches, or plums can help relieve constipation.
That’s because these fruits contain a substance known as sorbitol which is poorly absorbed and may trigger fluid secretion in the bowel.
This may have a laxative effect that can treat constipation.
It will not hurt to try a fruit tea of your liking to deal with constipation- but please note that more research is still needed in this area.
Potential Side Effects Of Herbal Teas For Constipation
Most herbal teas are generally safe for consumption with negligible to no side effects.
However, teas created and explicitly sold to help with constipation problems are ideal for infrequent and short-term use only.
Using these teas for a long time may result in unwanted side effects.
For instance, your bowel may eventually become dependent on these herbal products, meaning that you may have difficulty having a bowel movement without the tea.
It’s important to consult your doctor to determine if your constipation is a symptom of a serious health issue that may require a specific laxative.
The Best Herbal Tea for Headaches
6 Most Effective Teas For Headaches Headaches are a common ailment that many of us experience occasionally. They can range from migraine headaches to severe
10 Best Herbal Teas For Kidney Stones
What’s the best herbal tea for kidney stones? Kidney stones are becoming increasingly common in both men and women. It is estimated that at least
The Best Herbal Tea for Men: 10 Best Herbal Teas for Men On the Go
10 Best Herbal Teas For Men On The Go We’ve got you covered if you’re looking for the best herbal tea for men. Tea is
The Best Herbal Tea for Mucus Relief
10 Best Tea for Mucus Remedies Factors such as allergies, spicy foods, smoking, and exposure to cold weather outdoors can trigger your body to produce
Best Herbal Tea For Fertility: 15 Best Teas To Help Pregnancy
15 Best Teas to boost the chance of pregnancy Fertility problems are quite common. According to a recent study, approximately 9% of men and 11% of
Tea for Beginners: 10 Best Tasting Teas
Add Your Heading Text Here If you are a tea beginner looking for the best beverage to start your tea journey, you’ve come to the
The Best Herbal Tea For Hemorrhoids Relief ‘2023’
10 best Herbal teas for hemorrhoids Read on to learn about the best tea for hemorrhoids relief. One in three Americans experiences hermorrhoids at some
The Best Herbal Tea for Hormonal Imbalance
10 Best Herbal Teas for Hormonal Imbalance Are you looking for the best ehrbal tea for hormonal imbalance? Hormones are vital chemical messengers that coordinate
What is The Best Herbal Tea For A Cough?
10 Best Herbal Teas For A Cough A cough is one of the most common symptoms of the common cold and the seasonal flu. Unbeknown
Can You Drink Tea For Fasting?
Powerful benefits of drinking tea for fasting Drinking tea for fasting can be a great way of accelerating the benefits. Intermittent fasting has various benefits,
What Is the Best Herbal Tea for Focus and Memory? (2023)
11 Best Teas For Focus and Memory Are you looking for the best tea for focus? When it comes to mental health, there are a
What Is the Best Herbal Tea for Circulation?
9 Best Herbal Teas For Circulation Proper circulation is the foundation of overall health and general well-being. It ensures that blood and oxygen continuously flow
What Is the Best Tea for Endometriosis? (2023)
Best Teas for Endometriosis Endometriosis is a painful condition that occurs when tissues found on the lining of your uterus grow outside the uterus. This
What’s The Best Tea for Energy? Top 10 Teas for Boosting Energy
10 Herbal Teas for Energy Tony Robbins couldn’t have been more right when he said, “where focus goes, energy flows. And where energy flows, whatever
What’s The Best Tea for Period Pain and Menstrual Cramps?
9 Best Herbal Teas for Period Pain Also called dysmenorrhea, period pain is a painful sensation often felt in the lower abdomen and can spread
What Is The Best Herbal Tea For Bloating?
10 Great Teas to help with bloating Drinking tea for bloating can help to ease symptoms and improve the way that you feel. Bloating can
