April 8th, 2009

Digestion is an issue for everyone – we all eat, therefore we all process food. But, while some people are lucky enough to never have digestive troubles (increased burping, reflux, abdominal cramping, flatulence, constipation), most of us, at some time in our lives, need a little help finding relief.

There are lots of products on the market to help with digestion, ranging from prescription drugs (such as  Nexium to relieve heartburn) to over-the-counter stool softeners (such as Colace, to relieve constipation). And while there are pros and cons for each of these treatments (and everything in between), they’re not preventative, i.e. they treat the effects of digestive troubles, not the cause.

But research now suggests there may be a much simpler, cheaper, and effective way to help our digestive systems help themselves — tea.

Tea? Seriously?

Tea as a natural remedy is not a new idea. One of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, it’s been touted as a cure-all, a cancer fighter, and, of course, a digestive aid. But until recently, tea’s efficacy as a treatment for heartburn, constipation etc. has been untested and unproven (though many researchers and doctors have pointed out the benefit of the increased fluid consumption helping with constipation).

Okay, I’ll Give it a Try. But Where Do I Start?

The wide variety of tea available can be confusing to the  uninitiated, which is why we’ve compiled this easy-to-follow guide to a few teas and their digestive benefits.

Herbal

More correctly known as tisanes, these are teas made from plants other than Camellia sinensis, the tea plant.

Ginger – highly recommended, ginger tea not only helps with indigestion, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting and flatulence, but can (with daily use) help prevent the occurrence of digestive trouble. Clinical studies particularly support the benefits and safety of ginger use (including in pregnant and lactating women).

Fennel – if you’ve ever eaten at an Indian restaurant, you’ve probably had fennel. Know those little pastel colored candies that come at the end of a meal? They’re sugar-coated fennel. Taken after a meal, fennel can help stimulate digestion while being cooling (it tastes a bit like licorice) if you’ve had a bit too much of the hot stuff.

Peppermint - smooth tasting, peppermint is an excellent remedy and preventative for  flatulence and abdominal cramping. How does it work it’s magic? A calcium-channel blocker, peppermint causes the muscles in the stomach, colon, and intestine to relax. It can also aid digestion by stimulating the production of digestive juices (a liquid that helps your stomach break down a meal) and bile.

Chamomile – like peppermint, chamomile is a smooth-muscle relaxant, good for treating an preventing flatulence and abdominal cramping. The bitterness of the herb is also known to help stimulate digestion. People with ragweed allergies should avoid chamomile tea. If pregnant, consult a doctor before use.

Cinnamon – sweet-tasting cinnamon helps relieve bloating (and is excellent for menstruating women) and stimulate digestion. It can also be used to give a boost to flatulence and heartburn fighters, like peppermint and chamomile.

Senna – a well-known laxative, senna relieves constipation by stimulating the intestines. As a tea, it’s milder than many over-the-counter preparations, relieving constipation without cramping (though the taste may lead some people to prefer it in capsule form).  If pregnant, consult a doctor before use. Do not exceed the recommend dosage on the tea package. If buying in leaf form, consult a doctor or herbalist prior to use.

Oolong

A common accompaniment to meals in traditional Chinese households (and often available by special request in restaurants), oolong tea is best described as middle ground – more oxidized than green tea, but less than black.

Though current weight loss trends have advertised oolong tea as an excellent metabolic stimulant and weight loss aid (the higher your metabolism, the greater your fat breakdown), it’s long been used as a  digestive aid. As an alkalizing agent, i.e. something that helps neutralize acid, oolong can help treat acid reflux (heartburn). Anecdotal evidence suggests that regular use in chronic sufferers of reflux may be preventative; some also suggest that, as a mild antiseptic, oolong can help clean out the digestive tract.

Where Can I Find it?

All the teas listed above are easily found in health food stores, and most are now commonly available in supermarkets. If you’re having trouble tracking down the oolong (difficult in some smaller cities), try an Asian grocer or ask at your local Chinese restaurant. For the internet savvy, many high-quality teas are also available online.

–Peta Jinnath Andersen