What Tea Is Good For IBS Symptoms?

If you have irritable bowel syndrome, there are some things you can do at home to ease the symptoms. Changing your diet and reducing stress, for instance, can help.

Another thing you can do is drink tea. But what are the best teas for IBS? And how do they help ease the discomfort of irritable bowel syndrome? Here is the lowdown on drinking herbal teas.

Why drink tea for IBS?

Drinking herbal tea can ease some of your IBS symptoms because they’re associated with relaxation at the physical level. They work by relaxing the abdominal muscles to ease cramps.

Regularly consuming tea boosts your fluid intake, improving digestion. Some teas also contain components that relieve stress and anxiety.

The best teas for IBS

Try out the following teas, one at a time, to see how they can ease your IBS symptoms. If the discomfort continues or increases, discontinue that particular tea and change to another one.

When you find the ones that work for you, mix them up to create your unique blend. It is important to enjoy drinking tea so you can make a habit of it, whether you have IBS or not.

Peppermint tea

Traditionally, peppermint has been a digestion aid in many cultures. It helps relax the sphincter and increases burping, preventing the gas from traveling down the digestive system.

One study shows that peppermint reduces the severity of IBS pain.¹ It's antispasmodic and works by relaxing painful stomach cramps. While it works best in capsule form, taking it as a tea can also be beneficial.

Ginger tea

Ginger tea provides a quick and efficient remedy for nausea. Raw ginger root contains many antioxidants and anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer properties that potentially relieve IBS symptoms. It also has analgesic and antiemetic effects to alleviate stomach upset and pain.

Ginger tea also aids the movement of food down the gut and promotes digestion. Research shows that many people use ginger for digestive system issues, among its other health benefits.²

Fennel tea

In addition to adding flavor to sauces and curries, fennel effectively relaxes abdominal cramps, gas, and bloating. For the best results, soak the seeds in hot water and put them in your tea. Alternatively, you can chew on fresh fennel seeds after meals. It tastes like licorice.

An essential point to note is that fennel is a high FODMAP³ product and may not work well for some people. It contains high amounts of fructose and lactose, which could worsen IBS symptoms.

Chamomile tea

Chamomile tea is another herbal option that may improve your gastrointestinal function when you have IBS. It’s a healthy tea made from dried chamomile flowers, a plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family.

The tea has a delicately floral taste, and people have traditionally used it for relaxation, given its sedative effects. In addition to IBS symptoms, chamomile tea is also effective for other digestive disorders like colic, ulcers, gas, and stomach upset.

A study was done with 45 IBS patients who did not have other conditions, where they received a chamomile drop treatment for two weeks. Their symptoms significantly improved at the end of the treatment and continued to improve during the four-week study.⁴

Specific symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, and constipation improved with chamomile treatment. This is due to the anti-inflammatory elements in the tea, which are effective in reducing intestinal muscle spasms.

Turmeric tea

One of the best drinks for IBS is turmeric tea. The turmeric herb has potent healing properties. Taking it in capsule form improves IBS symptoms like abdominal pain and discomfort. If you drink it as a tea, you’ll feel the difference within eight weeks.

More research shows that turmeric reduces inflammation in bowel-related diseases. Eating turmeric comes with relatively low risk and can potentially reduce inflammation since it’s an antioxidant.⁵

The tea also contains curcumin, an active ingredient in turmeric. It is said to reduce your blood sugar levels. Make sure to consult your doctor before using turmeric tea if you have diabetes and are taking medications for it.

You may also want to seek your doctor’s advice before consuming turmeric if you have gallbladder problems since it may worsen acid reflux.

You can make turmeric tea at home using a piece of its root. You can also buy pre-packaged tea bags and mix them with cinnamon and lemongrass to enhance the flavor.

Dandelion tea

Dandelion tea can give you relief if you’re feeling bloated. It acts as a diuretic and increases your urine output. The tea has several other benefits for the digestive system, including relieving constipation and soothing digestive ailments.

Dandelion is a gentle laxative and will stimulate the production of bile to break down fats. It also helps cleanse the colon and would be a good addition if you have an exclusion diet.

The lowdown

Herbal teas are generally safe as a treatment for irritable bowel syndrome, although the benefits of some types of teas with known therapeutic properties have yet to be confirmed. Try out the teas mentioned here and make it a habit to drink regularly for overall good health.