Constipation is an uncomfortable condition that affects millions of people each day. Whether it's a side effect of digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome or simply your body's response to an unhealthy diet, having irregular bowel movements can be an indicator of poor overall health. 

Fortunately, there are many herbal remedies to treat constipation, including drinking a few cups of tea. Here, we'll show you some of the best teas for constipation and show you how science says these teas work to streamline the digestive system.

Causes of Constipation

Constipation can be caused by a variety of factors, making it difficult to treat if you don't address the underlying issue. Most cases of constipation are caused by eating a diet that is deficient in dietary fiber, living a sedentary lifestyle, and not drinking enough fluids. In addition, the condition can be caused by health conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and thyroid problems. Constipation may also be caused by medications used to treat other ailments. If you're suffering from constipation, check out this list of delicious teas that may help your body get back in working order.

The Best Tea For Constipation

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea is one of the best teas for digestion. It's a popular herbal remedy for treating digestive ailments such as irritable bowel syndrome and nausea. The herbal tea contains menthol and menthone, which are known to decrease inflammation and reduce the pain that causes stomach cramps and bloating (1)(2). The tea also works as a mild laxative to help stimulate the body to eliminate wastes properly.

Senna Tea

Senna tea is a popular detox tea and weight loss aid. The tea boasts natural laxative properties that make it useful for losing weight fast, even if its not a solution for permanent weight loss. However, these laxative properties are particularly useful for individuals who suffer from constipation. Some research shows that senna may help to alleviate constipation by stimulating the digestives system to break down and pass food (3). The stimulant laxative gently encourages proper digestion, getting you on your way to constipation relief. 

Ginger Tea

Ginger tea is a powerful stomach aid, most commonly praised for its ability to treat nausea. The tea offers a delightfully spicy flavor that dances along your taste buds. It's a tasty treat that works on a chemical level to alleviate symptoms of constipation including cramping and bloating. That's because the tea contains ingredients including shogaol and gingerol, which work to reduce inflammation (4).

True Teas

True teas like green tea and black tea contain caffeine, which is a known herbal laxative. Not only will drinking this tea help you poop, but it’ll also help boost your immune system thanks to the presence of antioxidants. While green and white tea are delicious, look for the darker true teas when you want to alleviate constipation. Teas like black tea, pu-erh tea, and oolong tea are a great choice since they contain large amounts of caffeine that can stimulate your digestive system.

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea is known for its calming properties and may help to alleviate constipation by soothing stomach muscles. The tea works to reduce inflammation and cramping, allowing the digestive system to begin moving food properly. Try drinking a cup of chamomile tea at the end of the day or after each meal to help soothe your digestive system. 

Dandelion Tea

Dandelion tea works to stimulate the production of bile, a key ingredient in the digestive process. Bile signals the body that food needs to be broken down into nutrients and waste, helping to kick start the process of regular bowel movements. In addition, the tea boasts natural diuretic properties that can help the body treat constipation.

Licorice Root Tea

Licorice root tea is another popular digestive tea thanks to the presence of anti-inflammatory properties. This tea can help soothe digestion and prevent constipation caused by medications. Drink the tea after a big meal or add it to your daily regimen to encourage your digestive system to become more regular. 

What to Know When Drinking Laxative Teas

Laxative teas and supplements can help your body get back on track with normal bowel movements. Keep in mind, the United States Food and Drug Administration does not regulate supplements, which can have unforeseen side effects. If you choose to use supplements, buy them from a reputable source or ask for guidance at your local health food store.

For tea, make sure to buy high-quality products. Loose tea is better than tea bags since tea bags often contain ground-up pieces of tea leaves. Loose tea features the entire tea leaf, including all the healthy chemical compounds that science shows may help when treating infrequent bowel movements.

Other Ways You Can Fight Constipation

In addition to drinking the best tea for constipation, you can also do a few other things to help your digestive tract get back on track. Try incorporating laxative foods into your diet. Prunes, chia seeds, apples, and leafy vegetables are all great choices.

One of the main reasons tea is so wonderful when treating constipation is that it helps you stay hydrated. This means your stool has a better consistency and decreases the risks of constipation. Besides drinking tea, make sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and fluids.

If you suffer from chronic constipation, you may need to look into over-the-counter medications or prescription remedies to solve the problem. For mild constipation, changing your diet and exercise regime may also help to alleviate symptoms of occasional constipation. Try incorporating physical activity into your daily regimen. Aim tog et around 30 minutes of exercise each day and eat a healthy diet rich in high fiber foods.

Best Constipation With the Best Teas and a Few Handy Tips

Many herbal teas have a natural laxative effect that can help your body fight constipation. These natural remedies also contain chemical compounds that may help to fight symptoms of constipation including bloating, flatulence, and cramping. Along with these natural remedies, try drinking plenty of fluids and getting regular exercise in addition to eating a healthy, balanced diet.

Sources:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16767798 

2. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110419101234.htm 

3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27836356 

4. https://journals.lww.com/co-supportiveandpalliativecare/Abstract/2015/06000/Is_ginger_beneficial_for_nausea_and_vomiting__An.18.aspx

Constipation is an uncomfortable condition that affects millions of people each day. Whether it's a side effect of digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome or simply your body's response to an unhealthy diet, having irregular bowel movements can be an indicator of poor overall health. 

Fortunately, there are many herbal remedies to treat constipation, including drinking a few cups of tea. Here, we'll show you some of the best teas for constipation and show you how science says these teas work to streamline the digestive system.

Causes of Constipation

Constipation can be caused by a variety of factors, making it difficult to treat if you don't address the underlying issue. Most cases of constipation are caused by eating a diet that is deficient in dietary fiber, living a sedentary lifestyle, and not drinking enough fluids. In addition, the condition can be caused by health conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and thyroid problems. Constipation may also be caused by medications used to treat other ailments. If you're suffering from constipation, check out this list of delicious teas that may help your body get back in working order.

The Best Tea For Constipation

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea is one of the best teas for digestion. It's a popular herbal remedy for treating digestive ailments such as irritable bowel syndrome and nausea. The herbal tea contains menthol and menthone, which are known to decrease inflammation and reduce the pain that causes stomach cramps and bloating (1)(2). The tea also works as a mild laxative to help stimulate the body to eliminate wastes properly.

Senna Tea

Senna tea is a popular detox tea and weight loss aid. The tea boasts natural laxative properties that make it useful for losing weight fast, even if its not a solution for permanent weight loss. However, these laxative properties are particularly useful for individuals who suffer from constipation. Some research shows that senna may help to alleviate constipation by stimulating the digestives system to break down and pass food (3). The stimulant laxative gently encourages proper digestion, getting you on your way to constipation relief. 

Ginger Tea

Ginger tea is a powerful stomach aid, most commonly praised for its ability to treat nausea. The tea offers a delightfully spicy flavor that dances along your taste buds. It's a tasty treat that works on a chemical level to alleviate symptoms of constipation including cramping and bloating. That's because the tea contains ingredients including shogaol and gingerol, which work to reduce inflammation (4).

True Teas

True teas like green tea and black tea contain caffeine, which is a known herbal laxative. Not only will drinking this tea help you poop, but it’ll also help boost your immune system thanks to the presence of antioxidants. While green and white tea are delicious, look for the darker true teas when you want to alleviate constipation. Teas like black tea, pu-erh tea, and oolong tea are a great choice since they contain large amounts of caffeine that can stimulate your digestive system.

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea is known for its calming properties and may help to alleviate constipation by soothing stomach muscles. The tea works to reduce inflammation and cramping, allowing the digestive system to begin moving food properly. Try drinking a cup of chamomile tea at the end of the day or after each meal to help soothe your digestive system. 

Dandelion Tea

Dandelion tea works to stimulate the production of bile, a key ingredient in the digestive process. Bile signals the body that food needs to be broken down into nutrients and waste, helping to kick start the process of regular bowel movements. In addition, the tea boasts natural diuretic properties that can help the body treat constipation.

Licorice Root Tea

Licorice root tea is another popular digestive tea thanks to the presence of anti-inflammatory properties. This tea can help soothe digestion and prevent constipation caused by medications. Drink the tea after a big meal or add it to your daily regimen to encourage your digestive system to become more regular. 

What to Know When Drinking Laxative Teas

Laxative teas and supplements can help your body get back on track with normal bowel movements. Keep in mind, the United States Food and Drug Administration does not regulate supplements, which can have unforeseen side effects. If you choose to use supplements, buy them from a reputable source or ask for guidance at your local health food store.

For tea, make sure to buy high-quality products. Loose tea is better than tea bags since tea bags often contain ground-up pieces of tea leaves. Loose tea features the entire tea leaf, including all the healthy chemical compounds that science shows may help when treating infrequent bowel movements.

Other Ways You Can Fight Constipation

In addition to drinking the best tea for constipation, you can also do a few other things to help your digestive tract get back on track. Try incorporating laxative foods into your diet. Prunes, chia seeds, apples, and leafy vegetables are all great choices.

One of the main reasons tea is so wonderful when treating constipation is that it helps you stay hydrated. This means your stool has a better consistency and decreases the risks of constipation. Besides drinking tea, make sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and fluids.

If you suffer from chronic constipation, you may need to look into over-the-counter medications or prescription remedies to solve the problem. For mild constipation, changing your diet and exercise regime may also help to alleviate symptoms of occasional constipation. Try incorporating physical activity into your daily regimen. Aim tog et around 30 minutes of exercise each day and eat a healthy diet rich in high fiber foods.

Best Constipation With the Best Teas and a Few Handy Tips

Many herbal teas have a natural laxative effect that can help your body fight constipation. These natural remedies also contain chemical compounds that may help to fight symptoms of constipation including bloating, flatulence, and cramping. Along with these natural remedies, try drinking plenty of fluids and getting regular exercise in addition to eating a healthy, balanced diet.

Sources:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16767798 

2. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110419101234.htm 

3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27836356 

4. https://journals.lww.com/co-supportiveandpalliativecare/Abstract/2015/06000/Is_ginger_beneficial_for_nausea_and_vomiting__An.18.aspx