Nausea, whether caused by pregnancy, travel, or an upset stomach, can be very unpleasant. It is characterized by a queasy, roiling feeling in your stomach, sweating, and an urge to vomit.
In general, I have a fairly strong constitution, and yet, as I grow older I have found that more and more things set my stomach off: sitting in the back seat of the car, that piece of fruit that was maybe past its prime, watching a merry-go-round go round- all of these things make me feel generally queasy.
Luckily, there are remedies for nausea. I usually take some anti-nausea medication for travel, but when I want something that will settle my stomach but won’t knock me out, I go for tea.
Below are some of the best teas for nausea:
The Teas
Ginger Tea
Ginger has been used to treat nausea for millennia. Though modern studies are not 100 percent conclusive, this overview of medical literature on ginger indicates that a number of studies have shown ginger to be at least partially effective in treating nausea. Additionally the fact that it has no adverse side effects gives it an advantage over other potential treatments.
Below are some of my favorite ginger teas and blends:
- Buddha Tea Ginger Root Tea: This tea is just straight up organic ginger and nothing else. It settles stomachs and eases discomfort- just don’t drink too much at once, or the acidity of the ginger can become an irritant.
- Traditional Medicinals Organic Ginger & Chamomile Herbal Tea: Built to relieve occasional indigestion, this tea is mildly spicy with floral tones. It’s strong enough to make an impact, but light enough to remain soothing.
- Art of Tea Bright Eyed (Turmeric Ginger Tea): Cinnamon, turmeric, and ginger lend this blend a warm and spicy flavor. It is healthful and nourishing, and just what I need when my stomach is out of sorts.
- Bigelow Benefits Ginger & Peach Herbal Tea: This tea combines the most stomach-friendly ingredients such as licorice root, marshmallow and ginger to create a soothing, and impactful tea.
Fennel Tea
Fennel tea is made from the seeds of the fennel plant (Foeniculum vulgare). It has been used to treat indigestion for centuries. One study has shown that taking fennel before the menstrual period can help prevent and reduce nausea during the period itself.
Fennel has an anise-like, licorice flavor that can be quite divisive. I, personally, do not love the taste of fennel, but I do know many people who seem to like it very much.
Here are some fennel teas and blends that people seem to like:
- Traditional Medicinals Organic Fennel Tea: Made with organic fennel seeds sourced from Bulgaria, this tea is sweet and licorice-flavored.
- Buddha Teas Digestive Nirvana Blend: Warm and spicy, this blend is made up of ginger, licorice root, fennel seeds, and other herbs for a stomach soothing drink
- Gaia Gas and Bloating Tea: Designed specifically with relieving gas and bloating in mind, this tea features fennel, licorice, chamomile, and peppermint.
- Art of Tea Cleanse Tea: This blend is based on green tea, but also includes senna, fennel, and ginger among other ingredients.
Lemon Tea
Lemon is one of the most refreshing scents in the world. There’s a reason it’s used in everything from unhealthy sugary drinks to floor cleaner. The scent of lemon has also been proven to reduce nausea and vomiting in pregnant women. It stands to reason that a study of the taste of lemon would garner much the same results. Scent and taste are deeply connected, after all.
The taste of lemon can be astringent. It’s best when cut with a bit of honey or sweetener.
Below are some of my favorite lemon teas and blends:
- Art of Tea Meyer Lemon Tea: This bright green-tea blend contains a combination of Meyer lemon, rooibos and other natural flavorings. It’s complex and soothing.
- Bigelow I Love Lemon Tea: A blend of lemongrass, lemon zest, lemon verbena, and other flavorings, this is a big, bold lemony tea. It’s best with honey.
- Celestial Seasonings Lemon Zinger: A classic, and for good reason. Hibiscus and rosehip lends sweetness to this zingy blend. It’s great hot or iced.
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint has long been used to soothe digestive issues. One of the main components in peppermint is menthol. This is what gives peppermint tea its sharp-sweet cool taste. Studies in animals have shown that peppermint oil, which is high in menthol, relaxes the gastrointestinal tract, which could help with indigestion and nausea
There are some great peppermint teas out there. Harney and Sons makes an excellent peppermint tea, as do the Art of Tea and Buddha Teas. In addition, Traditional Medicinals makes a senna-peppermint Smooth Move blend specifically meant to help with constipation.
Other helpful teas
Some other teas that can help relieve nausea are:
- Licorice Tea: There are a few studies that show that licorice root aids digestion.
- Green tea: High in catechins, green tea may play a role in indigestion.
- Chamomile Tea: According to Harvard Health, chamomile may soothe an upset digestive tract.
What should I look for in a tea to treat nausea?
There are a wide variety of teas that can help when you are feeling nauseous and queasy. Choose a tea that you like to drink, and that you find soothing. Taste and sensory perception is so subjective. What may work for one person may not work for another.
As usual, if you find that you are feeling continuously nauseous or if you are vomiting so much that you cannot hold down food please go see your doctor.