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Home arrow Health arrow Gut Health arrow 9 Best Teas for Quick Constipation Relief

9 Best Teas for Quick Constipation Relief

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Written by Edibel Quintero, RD
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Fact checked by Rosmy Barrios, MD
Last update: July 18, 2023
5 min read 1285 Views 0 Comments
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This article brings you the 9 best teas for constipation relief, from senna leaf tea to your everyday black tea bags.

Tea for constipation

Constipation can be a constant nuisance.

Many people frequently suffer from infrequent bowel movements. The feeling of being bloated and uncomfortable can affect your mood and your day-to-day activities. While you might be willing to try anything, it’s worth considering the accessible remedies you can try at home.

Well, look no further than tea. Herbal teas have many healing properties, and drinking tea regularly can have positive effects on your overall health and wellness.

So, let’s look at the relationship between tea and constipation as we bring you 9 effective teas to get your bowel habits back to normal.

Can Tea Help With Constipation?

Yes, drinking certain teas can help to relieve constipation. Many teas have mild laxative effects that can help stimulate a bowel movement. Those with caffeine can activate muscle contractions in the gastrointestinal tract, as caffeine works as a stimulant laxative. Many non-caffeinated herbal teas contain certain ingredients with natural laxative properties.

Aside from the components capable of producing a laxative effect, drinking tea can help with constipation simply by keeping you hydrated. Drinking plenty of water and other fluids throughout the day is a powerful method for relieving and preventing constipation.

Mild dehydration is a common risk factor for constipation. When you’re fully hydrated, extra water in the gut helps keep the stool soft and easier to pass through the digestive tract. It also helps to loosen and soften hard stools so you can go to the bathroom more easily.

Why Is Tea Used to Treat Constipation?

Herbal remedies, like tea, have been used for centuries to treat constipation. Herbal teas can help to stimulate bowel movements naturally without needing medicines, laxatives, and fiber supplements. It provides an easy, comfortable method to get things moving at home.

Tea is not a cure for constipation, but it can help. Many dietary and lifestyle factors can contribute to chronic constipation, such as low-fiber diets, not drinking enough fluids, lack of physical activity, and stress. You should not rely on tea alone to treat constipation. It’s best to adopt healthy habits in your daily life that can keep constipation at bay.

How Much Tea Should You Drink to Relieve Constipation?

How much tea you should drink daily to relieve constipation depends on the type of tea. Many laxative teas are highly potent and recommended consumption is limited to one cup per day. Overconsuming laxatives can cause digestive issues, including abdominal discomfort, cramps, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and nausea.

Less potent teas with mild laxative effects, such as black and green tea, are usually safe for frequent consumption. Before trying laxative teas and over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives, you should always talk to your doctor. They can guide you on dosage and safety.

9 Best Teas for Constipation

Now you know that tea can be beneficial for relieving constipation, let’s take a look at the most popular teas to provide relief. Remember, the ingredients of tea products can vary between manufacturers. Always check the label before buying to assess the ingredient list.

#1 Senna tea

Senna tea is the first tea for constipation that springs to mind.

Senna is a herbal laxative available without a prescription. It comes from a large genus of flowering plants. The leaves, flowers, and fruit extracts of the senna plant are frequent ingredients in laxative teas and OTC laxatives, often for weight loss purposes.

Senna acts as a stimulant laxative and is highly effective in alleviating constipation.

#2 Aloe vera tea

Aloe vera tea is a herbal tea with many purported benefits. It can aid digestion, help regulate blood sugar levels, and boost the immune system. The anthraquinone glycosides found in aloe vera have a laxative result that can help a bowel movement.

Aloe is another frequently used herbal medicine for constipation, alongside senna. Aloe vera is well-tolerated by most people, but more studies are necessary to determine the use of aloe vera tea as a safe laxative.

#3 Cascara tea

Cascara tea is a herbal medication used for the short-term treatment of constipation. It belongs to the dried, aged bark of the Rhamnus purshiana – a shrub native to North America. It has strong laxative properties, so taking the recommended dose is essential.

High doses for long periods can cause many adverse effects, including liver damage. Always check the label before drinking cascara tea for constipation.

#4 Peppermint tea

Peppermint has long been used to support the digestive system and alleviate mild digestive symptoms. It has soothing effects and can help with bloating, constipation, gas, and indigestion. Peppermint tea may also be effective for digestive disorders.

Peppermint tea contains peppermint oil which has properties that may benefit individuals with irritable bowel syndrome.

#5 Chamomile tea

Chamomile is a popular herbal medicine and one of the oldest ancient medicinal herbs used by humans. It belongs to the Asteraceae family and is made from the daisy-like flowers of the plant. Chamomile tea is a favorite among those who want to feel calm and relaxed.

This aromatic tea not only relaxes your mood. It is known to relax the digestive system, making it a great choice for promoting healthy bowel movements and for those who are trying to manage diabetes.

#6 Black tea

Black tea has a stronger flavor and is perhaps the most popular tea in the world. It boasts countless health benefits as it is rich in powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Black tea is good for weight loss and may improve gut health.

Unlike most of the teas on this list, black tea is not necessarily considered a laxative tea. However, it can have a gentle laxative effect in some people, helping to relieve constipation. It is safe to drink daily and packed with benefits, so it’s worth a try.

#7 Ginger tea

Ginger is an anti-inflammatory and a popular remedy for treating nausea and boosting the immune system. The anti-inflammatory effects of ginger tea can help to calm digestive upset and support healthy digestion.

As ginger tea can soothe the digestive system, it can help stimulate bowel activity, fighting constipation and bloating.

#8 Licorice root tea

Licorice root tea, often called sweet root tea, is made from the licorice plant’s root. It has a strong but sweet flavor, similar to black licorice. Licorice is another popular natural laxative.

Licorice root has many therapeutic benefits and is known to support digestive problems thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. It has been used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, among other ailments.

#9 Green tea

Green tea is an excellent drink for overall health. It is especially good for the digestive system as it has a soothing effect. It is rich in polyphenols, catechins, and antioxidants that support digestive processes and help to calm symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders.

Green tea is a great morning beverage as it contains caffeine. Caffeine is a natural stimulant that can wake you up and encourage a bowel movement.

A Word From MD

Constipation is an uncomfortable condition. Even mild constipation or occasional constipation can be a pain. It’s important to alleviate the condition as soon as possible to prevent future health conditions and serious complications, as constipation can become an emergency.

The first step is to eliminate factors causing constipation. A healthy diet rich in high-fiber foods, like whole grains and leafy vegetables, is critical for regular bowel movements. Drinking plenty of water is another priority as it lubricates the digestive system and aids digestion.

Staying active is a necessity. Exercise helps constipation by speeding up digestive processes and stimulating the digestive tract muscles, moving stool easily through the intestines. You could try daily walks, slow jogging, or yoga to get your bowels moving.

Tea is a great at-home remedy for constipation. Many teas have potent ingredients with laxative properties. You will have no problem finding a selection of herbal teas in health food stores and supermarkets. You can purchase tea bags or loose tea leaves for constipation relief.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate tea and other herbal products. There is no way to know for sure how a laxative tea will affect your body. Talk to your doctor before trying these products, especially with digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome.

Conclusion

There you have it – our list of the best tea choices for constipation.

Herbal tea is a great beverage with a number of wellness benefits, from weight loss to strengthening the immune system. There are lots of teas to choose from that will help you stay hydrated and mitigate constipation discomfort while supporting your overall health.

If tea doesn’t help, you can consider a fiber supplement that works.

Written by Edibel Quintero, RD
Edibel Quintero is a medical doctor who graduated in 2013 from the University of Zulia and has been working in her profession since then. She specializes in obesity and nutrition, physical rehabilitation, sports massage and post-operative rehabilitation. Edibel’s goal is to help people live healthier lives by educating them about food, exercise, mental wellness and other lifestyle choices that can improve their quality of life.
The article was fact checked by Rosmy Barrios, MD
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HR_author_photo_Edibel
Written by Edibel Quintero, RD
HR_author_photo_Rosmy
Fact checked by Rosmy Barrios, MD
Last update: July 18, 2023
5 min read 1285 Views 0 Comments
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