Tea for Nausea: Which is Best and How They Help
“A cup of tea would restore my normality.” – Douglas Adams.
We’ve all been there.
You’ve just returned home after a long day of reconnecting with old friends over bottomless buffalo wings and cheap wine. Regret has officially sunk in.
But it’s nothing compared to what’s sunk into your tummy.
You may be tempted to go to the pharmacy, but the best medicine is actually already in your kitchen cabinet. Hint: it’s not a handful of pills. We’re talking about the magical powers of tea!
We’ve been using tea to promote well-being, detox our bodies, and treat nausea, colds, digestive problems, and much more for over 4,000 years.
Of course, not all teas are created equal. Some ingredients are better equipped to relieve nausea than others. So, while the process of drinking any kind of tea can ground you and ease some symptoms, choosing the proper tea for your unique needs is the most effective route to well-rounded relief.
So with so many options, which types of tea is best suited to you and your symptoms?
Ginger Tea
Hailed as an immune system superfood in Southeast Asia and India, ginger is one of the most documented natural remedies for nausea, historically and medically.
In addition to relieving nausea, traditional Chinese medicine has used ginger to soothe colds, migraines, arthritis, and high blood pressure for over 5,000 years. As civilizations developed, ginger became an increasingly valuable trade item due to its health properties, so much so that one pound of ginger was once valued at the same price as one sheep. Ah, if only lamb had such powers; a tender rack per day would keep the doctor away (sigh).
Need a little more than ancient proof? Here’s the science to back it up.
Numerous studies confirm that drinking ginger tea for nausea relief actually works. For example, one such study analyzing an array of prior research on the subject concludes that ginger effectively alleviates nausea caused by pregnancy, chemotherapy, and some types of surgery.
Here’s how it works: gingerol and shogaols, the main bioactive ingredients in ginger, relax the muscles in your digestive tract to accelerate gastrointestinal mobility (basically, the rate of digestion) and help release hormones that regulate blood pressure. These effects work to calm the body and reduce queasiness.
But ginger’s health properties don’t stop there. It’s a powerful antioxidant offering anti-inflammatory effects, and it curbs the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes by reducing cholesterol and improving lipid metabolism.
If you’re coping with the room-spinning struggles of a hangover (or plan to do so soon) or simply want to clear the house with a detox, check out Leaves of Leisure’s Autumn Breeze blend. In addition to ginger, the it also includes tulsi to speed liver recovery, turmeric for an extra dose of anti-inflammatory magic, and rooibos for added antioxidants.
Peppermint Tea
Ah, a cooling and refreshing herb whose scent alone can quell the most furious of tummies: peppermint.
Peppermint has a long history as a remedy for relieving nausea and settling upset stomachs, with the earliest evidence found in an ancient Egyptian tomb dating to 1,000 BCE. Classical Greeks and Romans also valued the herb for its health properties, and it became popular as a remedy for nausea, vomiting, respiratory infections, and menstrual disorders in 18th century Europe.
Nowadays, peppermint is used to relieve irritable bowel syndrome, other digestive issues, colds, headaches, sinus infections, and much more. While peppermint tea is a lovely route to relief, peppermint is also used in oil form as a topical (for headaches, joint pain, and itching) and in aromatherapy (for coughs, improving mental function, and reducing stress).
But, the Egyptians have long since been mummified. So, how do we know peppermint really works? SCIENCE, that’s how.
One recent study among a growing body of peppermint research found that peppermint oil is more effective in combating nausea when used without the addition of anti-nausea medicine.
The key to peppermint’s health powers lies in the property providing its minty flavor: menthol. Menthol’s cooling properties relax tummy muscles to loosen cramps, relieve bloating, and promote the flow of gas-—all of which help to ease indigestion and settle stomachs.
If you feel a cold coming on or need some gastrointestinal restoration, a peppermint-focused tea like Leaves of Leisure’s Snow Angel blend will clear the path back to normality.
More Tips for Tea-based Nausea Relief
Add a Lemon for a Little Extra Oomph
Adding a bit of lemon is an easy trick to boosting your tea’s nausea-fighting powers as well as its flavor profile. Squeeze out the juice and dump the drained slice in the cup for a citrusy jumpstart to your digestive cycle. With its powerful limonene component, adding lemon to your tea for nausea is perfect for tummies troubled by anxiety, indigestion, morning sickness, and more.
Deep Purposeful Breathing to Calm the Senses
When we’re stressed, nausea can exacerbate our anxiety, which, in turn, intensifies that nauseous feeling. Other times, the presence of anxiety is what brings on the nausea. So if you’re struggling to calm down with Jurassic Park-sized butterflies fluttering around your belly, practicing intentional breathing with tea is a proven method to reduce anxiety and related nausea.
Pour a cup of ginger- or peppermint-based tea and recline in your comfiest chair. Raise the cup to your nose such that its steam glistens on your skin. Close your eyes, relax, and begin taking slow, purposeful breaths. Focus solely on your breathing and the refreshing, relaxing scent. Consider what other smells and memories it brings to mind. Inhale the present through your nose, and exhale all else through your mouth.
Prepare for Unexpected Nausea with Leaves of Leisure
A cup of tea for nausea can go a long way, but finding the right blend for your situation will take you through the finish line. At Leaves of Leisure, we specialize in curating perfectly balanced blends of natural herbs to deliver well-rounded rejuvenation. Whether it’s one of our ginger or peppermint teas, adjust breathing in the aroma of any of our blends, you’ll be pleased to be easing the queasiness with tea!