A few days ago, I got hit with a stomach bug…I will spare you the details but it was unpleasant…very unpleasant.
I am on the mend although feel like I have been hit by a bus…figuratively speaking of course.
Even though I was feeling so horrible, I knew I had to keep my fluid intake up…something which I am very bad at even when I am feeling ok!
I did a little research to find out what teas might help sooth my stomach, while getting some liquid into me.
So for this week’s My Friday Five, I list some teas to try if you get hit with a similar bug…
Ginger Tea
I often suffer from Functional Nausea…oh joy…and take ginger tablets to help ease that yucky feeling.
Ginger is a natural medicine that has been used for thousands of years, and it can really help relieve an upset stomach, indigestion, motion sickness, and nausea.
It promotes the secretion of various digestive enzymes to neutralize the stomach acids, as well as phenols which help to relax the stomach muscles.
I have found a pure ginger tea (I don’t like the blends that are often used with ginger) but if you don’t have any ginger tea, some fresh ginger grated into hot water will also be very beneficial.
Lemon Tea
This was a surprise as I had no idea lemon was excellent at alleviating nausea…even just the smell of lemon can help.
Add a little mint, and it should help to quickly soothe an unsettled stomach, as well as being immunity-boosting and revitalizing!
And you don’t even need actual tea for this…just grab a fresh lemon and squeeze the juice straight into warm water.
If you find it a little tart to drink, add a little honey.
Rooibos Tea
Originally from South Africa, this red “bush tea” is rich in antioxidants.
And it can also calm the stomach with the benefits of quercetin, an anti-inflammatory known for its own long list of health benefits.
In fact, it is perhaps the most well-known for its ability to quickly soothe an upset stomach.
Plus as added benefits, Rooibos tea can also help calm you and help you sleep!
Lavender Tea
I never knew there was such a thing until a friend told me how much they loved it!
I love the smell of lavender, and as a past migraine sufferer, I know how lavender can help sooth a bad headache.
What I didn’t know is that lavender can be used to soothe and treat flatulence, colic, bowel infections, and an upset stomach!
This is because it contains essential oils that have a soothing effect on the stomach.
Peppermint Tea
Although I am not a fan of peppermint, it also has the ability to sooth an upset tummy…it can also help with bloating and indigestion.
Apparently it can also stimulate the gallbladder to produce and release bile that the body uses to digest fat, helping the stomach to digest food.
However, peppermint tea doesn’t agree with everyone…and it is not recommended if you suffer from any reflux disease (GERD).
Plus I am not sure how good this would be for someone without a gall bladder like me!
Take Note….
Please take the above suggestions as a guide only…all the above teas are generally safe, but please make sure you check if a certain tea is suitable for you, particularly if you are taking medication.
But I can assure you that there will be a tea or a tea blend that will help getting rid of that horrible yucky upset tummy feeling!
Do you have a favourite tea you go to when you have an upset stomach?
Let me know in the comments below as I would love to know!