5 teas to relieve uncomfortable bloating when you’re feeling too full
We spoke to health experts to find out what you can do to help digestion if you’ve eaten one too many french fries at dinner
There’s nothing more annoying than the bloat—especially if you feel it coming on just before you’re heading out to the pool or slipping into a tight party-ready dress. Antacids and charcoal based medications might help, but there is another way that that can do the trick almost immediately without any side effects—herbal teas. Now, drinking tea can seem counterintuitive when you’re already feeling too full, but the fluid can help to relieve bloating and move digestion along. “There are several herbs, seeds and fruits that can relieve bloating instantly if consumed in the form of tea, and they’re easily accessible in your kitchen too,” explains Dr Arun Pillai, wellness director, Dharana Wellness at Hilton Shillim. “Carom seeds, pepper, ginger, chamomile, fennel, hibiscus, asafoetida and cumin are few of these. The phytochemicals and oils work on a physiological level to reduce the bloating by improving the alkaline balance and promoting good bacteria,” he adds.
The herbal teas you can try to aid digestion and alleviate bloating
Carom tea
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A clean gut aids weight loss and reduces skin-gut related inflammatory conditions such as acne. Carom seeds or ajwain are an instant remedy for all digestive problems including acidity, bloating, indigestion, stomach ache and flatulence. Which is why a pinch of carom seeds is added to deep-fried foods such as pooris and bhajias to make it easier to digest them. Sipping on some carom seed tea after a heavy meal makes digestion easy and bypasses the heavy-in-the-tummy feeling. And you can add a pinch of black salt to make it more potent.
Fennel tea
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There is a reason why most Indian food restaurants offer fennel seeds after meals. Besides cleansing breath, fennel also minimises the chances of stomach cramps, gas and bloating from occurring in the first place. How? By helping relax the muscles of the gastrointestinal system. Jacqueline Tara Herron, holistic healer and director at The Imperial Spa and Salon tells you how to brew your own cup. “Crush the fennel seeds with a pestle and mortar, or in a blender till broken up, but not till it becomes a powder. Steep a tsp in boiling water for 10 minutes and drink with a little honey,” she says.
Hibiscus tea
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Hibiscus flowers have flavonoids that affect aldosterone, a hormone secreted by the kidneys that regulates the water and electrolyte balance in the body by changing how much water they absorb or release. Essentially, sipping on hibiscus tea after a big, greasy or salty meal will help to prevent water retention that leads to bloating.
Peppermint tea
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Mint is a classic summer herb used widely in Ayurveda and the Chinese medicine system for its ability to reduce indigestion and belly spasms. Though its leaves are commonly used in salads and chutneys, the best use of mint to prevent bloating is steeping it in tea. “It is excellent to stimulate digestion and prevent gases forming in the digestive track. A cup of mint tea immediately controls the pain from bloating and refreshes the eliminatory channels. Steep a handful of mint leaves in a glass of hot water for just a few minutes to make a great post-dinner calming tea,” suggests Herron. A blend of mint and ginger is especially effective to alleviate bloat.
Ginger tea
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Next time you start to feel the bloat coming on, grab some ginger. It is a potent anti-inflammatory ingredient that has been used in traditional medicinal systems as an antidote to indigestion, gas, bloating and nausea. You can simply chew on a piece or slice it up and toss it in some hot water. To make your own fresh ginger tea, peel and slice a half-inch of fresh ginger root, and steep in boiling water for five minutes.
Herron as she shares her time-tested remedy to flatten out the tummy too. “For best results, grate fresh ginger root and crush black peppercorns to boost digestion and aid assimilation, preventing the build-up of gasses that is often the result of a sluggish digestive system. You can add a little honey too,” she says. The biochemical compounds in ginger—gingerols and shogaols—act as muscle relaxants and prevent cramps. Black pepper increases the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which in turn helps with digestion and relieves issues like bloating, indigestion, flatulence and constipation.
Also read:
Forget green tea; green coffee is the set to be the healthy brew of 2019
Your guide to the health benefits of different kinds of teas
Fit teas: Do they live up to their skincare and weight loss hype?
