Sounding like a common problem but causing misery for those who suffer from it, acid reflux is one of those conditions that can steal the enjoyment from food and drink. Caused by the stomach leaching acid into the esophagus, you may feel heartburn, a sore throat, burning, burping, or even regurgitation and bringing your food back up as symptoms of acid reflux. While you can pop antacids all day long to help combat the problem, there is also an all-natural solution that can cool and contain a hot and leaky stomach. Herbal teas can help reduce stomach acid and bring your gut into glorious shape. Known for reducing bloating and irritation, there are certain teas that make life with gastrointestinal issues way more bearable. Keep reading to find out the best tea for acid reflux.
What is Herbal Tea?
Made from herbs, spices, or plant matter boiled up with hot water, herbal tea is caffeine-free and often full of health properties. This kind of tea doesn’t come from the camellia sinensis plant and is therefore not considered one of the five true teas.
From peppermint to chamomile, and a whole host of flowers and spices, herbal tea has been around for centuries as one of our oldest medicines. Even today, people drink herbal tea on a daily basis to battle all kinds of common ailments, or simply to enjoy a soothing brew.
Benefits of Taking Herbal Tea to Reduce Acidity
So how does herbal tea work when it comes to cutting down the acid in your stomach? There are many different teas and each one may tackle your stomach acid in a different way. From anti-inflammatory properties to soothe the esophagus, repair stomach lining, and ease excess gas, these teas are champions of a good gut. Herbal teas are rich in antioxidants, antimicrobial elements, and anti-bacterial properties too. All of these added benefits, along with keeping you calm and hydrated, show herbal teas as an excellent resource for coping with acid reflux.
While there are many herbal teas out there that can help reduce the discomfort around acidity and bloating, there are a few that may actually make it worse. Peppermint tea and spearmint tea are two to consume with care if you have acid reflux. While they both come loaded with soothing properties for the digestive system, drinking too much can trigger your condition. Also, skip out on the sugar and lemons when prepping your herbal tea as these too can heighten acidity.
8 Best Teas for Acid Reflux
We have rounded up some of the best teas for acid reflux to help you sip and soothe in style. If the constant belching and discomfort are dragging you down, then following a meal with one of these awesome teas may just be the help you need to get on top of your condition. Get ready to wash that GERD away with these natural herbal teas!
Ginger Tea
This bright and spicy root is a culinary fave when it comes to warming up a dish. Yet the ginger root also makes a delicious and healing tea. Ginger tea has potent digestive powers and can help with everything from reducing bloat to getting rid of nausea, and even decrease swelling in the digestive system. This is mainly due to its anti-inflammatory properties and the added benefits of gingerol and shogaol being added to the mix.
Chamomile Tea
Calming in a thousand different ways, chamomile tea is a true soul soother. This beautiful brew is not only known for helping you sleep like a baby but it also encourages emotional balance, ulcer reduction, and relaxation in the muscles too. How does this add up to acid reflux reduction? Well, the alkaline properties and the tea's ability to get your body to relax can help tackle acid reflux (which can definitely be made worse by stress and anxiety). When your stomach is riding high with too much acid and stress, chamomile can be the balancing act you need.
Fennel Tea
Fabulous fennel tea is a fine treat for those suffering from acid reflux. This fiber rich tea is a treat for the system as it can help with excess gas which can help smoothen the discomfort caused by acid reflux. It also nurtures your digestive system which makes you a less likely candidate for suffering from acid reflux flare-ups in the first place. Fennel also has a whole heap of anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce irritation and swelling in the digestive tract.
Licorice Tea
The slightly sweet natural root has long been associated with healing stomach upsets. Licorice root not only helps reduce pain and inflammation, helping reduce the risks of ulcers, but it also helps increase the mucus in your stomach which could cushion the stomach lining and protect it from acid. Add in the fact that licorice also has sedative properties to help keep you relaxed and this cool little root becomes an amazing secret weapon in the fight against acid. Licorice root also contains glycyrrhizic acid which can help repair the stomach lining and bring balance to your whole digestive system.
Marshmallow Root Tea
Earning its name from its gooey consistency when mixed with water, marshmallow root tea can coat your stomach lining, providing a soft and soothing layer to quell the rise of acid. Not only can the mellow marshmallow root tea coat your stomach, throat, and esophagus in a soothing balm but it can also reduce inflammation and bring rest and respite to those tightly clenched muscles. Magic. To get the best out of this brew, stew the root in water for several hours to get that gooey texture we are talking about.
Turmeric Tea
The liquid gold of turmeric tea is a straight-up superfood. This bright yellow spice is a firm favorite in the culinary kitchen but also comes loaded with a ton of healing properties too. Rich in antioxidants and with the active ingredient of curcumin getting to work on the body, turmeric is loaded with antiviral and antifungal properties. But along with bringing a burst of health to your body, turmeric may also be able to help with acid reflux. As studies have shown that GERD can be triggered by oxidative stress, turmeric’s antioxidant potency can reduce the risks. Not only will turmeric help keep the body fighting fit but it also can protect the stomach from gut damage and ulcers too.
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea is something of a double-edged sword when it comes to acid reflux. Too much may make the condition worse but peppermint is also a dab hand when it comes to dealing with digestive problems. This refreshing and light tea is a surefire soother and can decrease inflammation in the digestive system, help ease the pain associated with a sore throat (a side effect of acid reflux) and is full of antioxidants to promote long term healing too.
Slippery Elm Tea
An ancient technique for treating stomach problems, slippery elm comes from the slippery elm tree and is also celebrated for coating your stomach in a protective layer. Not only will this tea taken from the inner bark protect your stomach, but it also helps the intestines to produce mucus which provides yet another layer of protection against rising acidity.
What to Avoid for Acidity
Now you have your list of teas to help your stomach heal and steer clear of too much acid, it also helps to know what you should be skipping out on. There are lots of food and drink choices that can irritate your stomach and encourage the rise of acid. Here are a few things you should be avoiding:
· Spicy foods
· Fried foods
· Soda and carbonated drinks
· High-fat dairy
· Citrus fruits
· Tomatoes, garlic, and onions
· Pineapple
· Alcohol
· Chocolate
· Processed foods
How to Prevent Acidity - A Healthy Diet & Exercise
If you want to do all that you can to reduce acid reflux some of the best remedies are making healthy dietary choices, getting good sleep, maintaining low stress, and regular exercise. Here are a few more lifestyle changes you can make to cut down on your risks of acid reflux and indigestion rearing their head:
· Sit up for three hours after eating
· Eat smaller meals more frequently as opposed to one large meal
· Avoid food and drink that triggers the condition
· Quit smoking
· Limit alcohol intake
· Chew more gum
· Elevate the head of your bed
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What drink is good for acid reflux?
Herbal teas are the best option for acid reflux as they are free from caffeine and can bring a bounty of healing benefits.
What kind of tea is good for acid reflux
Any of the teas outlined above can help with acid reflux. The ones we like the best are ginger tea, chamomile tea, licorice tea, marshmallow root tea, turmeric tea, fennel tea, and slippery elm tea.
Can ginger tea help acid reflux?
Absolutely, ginger tea is full of anti-inflammatory properties which can reduce swelling in your digestive system and reduce acid reflux flareups. Ginger is one of the best home remedies for helping reduce digestive issues.
Is green tea good for acid reflux?
Green tea and black tea contain some tannins and while this is lower than the amount found in coffee, tannins can encourage the stomach to secrete acid. Be aware that these teas also contain caffeine. Although moderate consumption of green tea shouldn’t cause problems for most people.
Wrap Up
The next time you feel the sour rise of stomach acid instead of reaching for the antacids and probiotics you could reach for your fave box of herbal tea instead. Knowing which teas can help you out and which can aggravate is essential but take your pick from the bunch above and you can not only help heal the short term discomfort but start building a healthier stomach and stronger digestive system too.
**Medical Disclaimer: The information in this article is for informative purposes only and shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. Those who have any health-related queries should be sure to reach out to a medical professional. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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