Teas, like peppermint tea, bay leaf tea and lemon balm tea contain substances with anti-inflammatory, digestive and antispasmodic properties that help to eliminate excess intestinal gas. This can help relieve bloating and abdominal discomfort.
Excess gas is usually normal and occurs due the fermentation of food in the gut during the digestive process. Gas can also accumulate due to excess swallowed air from eating to quickly, or due to health conditions, like irritable bowel syndrome.
These teas can be used to eliminate intestinal gas, however if symptoms do not improve within 2 days, you should see a doctor for assessment and possible treatment. See what causes excessive gas and how it may be treated.
Teas for bloating that you can prepare at home to relieve symptoms include:
1. Peppermint tea
Peppermint is a plant that appears to have a significant effect on excess gas due to its carminative effect. There are many studies that support its efficacy in reducing intestinal symptoms in those with irritable bowel syndrome.
In addition, this plant has a relaxing effect that helps to reduce tension in digestive muscles, which allows for easier release of gas. Learn about the other health benefits of peppermint tea.
Ingredients:
- 6 fresh peppermint leaves or 10 g of dried leaves
- 1 cup of boiling water
How to prepare:
Add the leaves to the cup of water and allow to steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Then strain, wait for it to cool, and drink 3 to 4 times per day, or as needed to manage symptoms.
To obtain best results, the peppermint leaves should be picked shortly before use, however you can also use dried leaves.
Peppermint is not indicated for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or in cases of stomach inflammation, GERD, gallstones or severe liver disease.
2. Anise tea
Anise is another medicinal plant that has been well-studied and noted to reduce excess intestinal gas. It is utilized in many cultures. In addition to reducing gas, anise tea can also prevent abdominal cramps and relieve stomach pain.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of dried anise seeds
- 1 cup of boiling water
How to prepare:
Place the seeds in a cup and cover with the water. Allow to soak for 5 to 10 minutes, allow to cool, then strain and drink. You can drink 2 to 3 cups per day, after meals.
Anise tea should not be taken by those with anise allergies or allergies to anethole compounds. It should also be avoided by pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and children under 12.
This tea is also not indicated for those with breast cancer or patients taking iron supplements, as this herb can interfere with iron absorption.
3. Lemon balm tea
Lemon balm is commonly used in popular medicine to treat excessive gas and other digestive conditions.
The medicinal plant, of the Melissa officinalis species, contains essential oils, like eugenol, which help to relieve pain and reduce muscular spasms. This can help reduce the formation of gas. See how lemon balm can benefit your health in other ways and how to take it.
Ingredients:
- 1tablespoon of lemon balm leaves
- 1 cup of boiling water
How to prepare:
Add the leaves to the cup of water, cover and steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Then strain and drink 2 to 3 times per day. It is important not to add sugar or honey, as these can contribute to more gas production.
Lemon balm tea should not be used by those taking thyroid medication, as this herb can interfere with its effect. It should also not be taken by anyone on sleeping medications, as this tea as a calming effect and can increase drowsiness.
This tea is also not recommended for breastfeeding or pregnant women, unless discussed with your OB.
4. Bay leaf tea
Bay leaf tea is rich in substances, like tannins, flavonoids, linalool, eugenol, methyl chavicol and anthocyanins. These contain anti-inflammatory and digestive properties that help to relieve bloating and gas from indigestion. Check out the other health benefits of bay leaves and how it can be used.
Ingredients:
- 1 dried bay leaf
- 1 cup of boiling water
How to prepare:
Add the leaf to the cup of water and steep for about 10 minutes. Then strain, wait for it to cool, and drink 3 to 4 times per day.
Bay leaf tea should not be consumed by children, pregnant women or breastfeeding women. It should be taken cautiously by diabetics, as it can reduce blood sugar levels significantly.
5. Fennel tea
Fennel tea, prepared with the medicinal plant Foeniculum vulgare contains substances with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic and digestive action, like anethole, estragole and sulfur. These help to relieve intestinal inflammation and reduces intestinal gas, cramping and diarrhea. Read more about fennel and its medicinal properties.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of fennel seeds
- 1 cup of boiling water
How to prepare:
Add the seeds to the cup of water, cover and soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Then strain and drink 2 to 3 times per day, 20 minutes before meals. Another option is to use ready-made fennel tea bags.
Fennel tea should not be consumed by pregnant or breastfeeding women.
6. Boldo tea
Boldo tea, prepared with dried Chilean boldo leaves or fresh Brazilian bold leaves, is rich in boldine and rosmarinic acid. These substances contain digestive, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and astringent properties that help to reduce stomach acid and help with fat digestion.
As a result, boldo tea can be beneficial for relieving intestinal cramps and excess gas from indigestion or food intolerances.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of chopped boldo leaves
- 150 mL of boiling water
How to prepare:
Add the leaves to the boiling water and steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Then strain and drink while warm, 2 to 3 times per day, before or after meals. You can also drink a cup before going to bed to help with dinner digestion.
Boldo tea can cause side effects, especially when used in high doses or for more than 20 days. It should not be used by pregnant women, nor by people with acute hepatitis, gallbladder stones, biliary duct inflammation or pancreatitis.
7. Salvia tea
Salvia tea, prepared with the medicinal plant Salvia officinalis, is rich in alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds and terpenes. These contain anti-inflammatory, digestive and antispasmodic properties that help to relieve intestinal gas and indigestion.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of salvia leaves
- 1 cup of water
How to prepare:
Boil the water and add the cup salvia leaves. Steep for 5 to 10 minutes, then strain, wait for it to cool and drink 1 cup, three times per day.
Salvia tea should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, as it can reduce maternal milk production. It should also not be consumed by epileptics, as it can stimulate epileptic seizures.
8. Chamomile tea
Chamomile tea is rich in phenolic compounds like apigenin, quercetin, and patuletin. These contain anti-inflammatory, soothing, digestive and antispasmodic properties that relieve gastrointestinal tract stimulation and help to relieve excess gas, cramps and indigestion.
Learn about the other benefits of chamomile tea.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of dried chamomile flowers
- 1 cup of boiling water
How to prepare:
Add the dried chamomile flowers to the cup of boiling water, cover and steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain, wait for it to cool and drink one cup up to 3 times per day.
You can also purchase ready-made chamomile tea bags, which can be purchases at supermarkets or pharmacies.
Chamomile tea is not recommended for anyone with an allergy to chamomile or any flowers within the same family, like daisies, ambrosias and chrysanthemums. This tea should not be consumed by babies under 6 months.
People taking anticoagulants, sedatives or analgesics should speak to a doctor before taking chamomile tea, as this plant can alter the effect of some medications.
Chamomile tea made with Matricaria recutita can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, roman chamomile tea is not advised due to a lack of studies confirming safety.
9. Dill tea
Dill tea, prepare with the medicinal plant Aneethun graveolens, is rich in oils like limonene, carvacrol and thymol. These contain anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties that help to relieve cramps and intestinal gas, particularly in cases of IBS.
In addition, this tea can help to relieve nausea and treat diarrhea or constipation.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of dill seeds
- 1 cup of boiling water
How to prepare:
Place the dill in the cup of boiling water, steep for 10 minutes, then strain and drink.
Dill tea should not be taken by children, pregnant women or breastfeeding women. It should be avoided by diabetics, by those with hypothyroidism or by anyone taking lithium treatment.
10. Cardamom tea
Cardamom tea, made with the medicinal plant Elletaria cardamomum, is rich in essential oils that stimulate acid production in the stomach. This regulates intestinal flow and facilitates the elimination of gas to relieve intestinal cramps.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of cardamom seeds
- 1 cup of boiling water
How to prepare:
Place the seeds in the cup of boiling water and soak for about 10 minutes. Then strain and drink the tea prior to meals.
Cardamom tea should be used by children, pregnant women, breastfeeding women or people with gastritis or stomach ulcers.