Easy Herbal Tonics for Digestive Distress

If you’re considering sipping some herbal teas or tonics to help manage nausea or digestive discomfort, please remember that these beverages can work well in conjunction with medication, but it is important not to replace your medications with teas, herbs, or other dietary supplements. Also, be sure to tell your doctor, nurse, or dietitian that you plan to use herbal teas and tonics so they can make sure it is safe for you to do so. Along with consultation with your medical team on the best medical management for treatments side effects, herbal teas can give you that extra bit of comfort and relief you are seeking.

Try the recipes below to manage your digestive distress.

Nausea No More

Try this soothing, cool drink to quell nausea.

Preparation time: 7 minutes.

Serves one.

Ingredients 

• 1-inch-long piece of gingerroot, peeled and finely minced
• 12 ounces sparkling water or club soda

Instructions

• Peel and finely mince gingerroot.
• Using a blunt kitchen tool, such as a rolling pin, mash minced gingerroot.
• Put mashed gingerroot into glass, add sparkling water, and stir lightly for 30 seconds.
• Add crushed ice and let mixture stand for 1 minute to let gingerroot settle to the bottom of glass.
• Sip liquid slowly to avoid stirring up gingerroot.
• If you prefer, you can strain mixture into a fresh glass to remove gingerroot pieces.

Per serving: 0 calories

If you are feeling good and eating well, you may not need high calorie eating tips and recipes for symptoms. Instead, you can try our recipes in the Wellness Nutrition area.

Tummy Tamer Tea

Try this tea if you feel bloated or are struggling with gas.

Preparation time: 7 minutes.

Serves one.

Ingredients

• 1 to 2 cups boiling water
• 1-inch-long piece of gingerroot, peeled and finely minced
• 1/2 teaspoon powdered fennel seeds (dry herb)
• 1 teaspoon mint leaves, finely minced*

*Skip mint leaves if you have reflux or heartburn.

Instructions

• Put water on to boil for tea.
• Peel and finely mince gingerroot.
• Using a blunt kitchen tool, such as a rolling pin, mash minced gingerroot.
• Remove mint leaves from stems and finely mince.
• Add minced gingerroot and mint leaves to large mug.
• Add fennel seeds to gingerroot and mint leaves.
• Add a splash of cold water into the mug and then add boiling water.
• Stir to combine, cover, and let steep for 4 to 5 minutes.
• Strain liquid to remove gingerroot and mint pieces.
• Sip slowly to ease gas and nausea.

Per serving: 0 calories

If you are feeling good and eating well, you may not need high calorie eating tips and recipes for symptoms. Instead, you can try our recipes in the Wellness Nutrition area.

Chamomile Relaxation Tea

If you need to relax after a meal in order to head off nausea, this tea will aid this process.

Preparation time: 7 minutes.

Serves one.

Ingredients

• 1 to 2 cups boiling water
• 1 chamomile tea bag (any brand; easily available in the tea section of your grocery store)
• 1/2 teaspoon powdered fennel seeds (dry herb)
• 1/4 teaspoon powdered licorice root*

*Skip licorice if you have high blood pressure (hypertension). Do not have more than 2 servings of this tea per day due to the potential for licorice to affect blood pressure.

Instructions

• Put water on to boil for tea.
• Measure fennel seeds and licorice root into large mug.
• Add a splash of cold water into the mug and then add boiling water.
• Stir to mix dried herbs into water.
• Add chamomile tea bag and cover.
• Let steep for 4 to 5 minutes.
• Sip slowly to relax and manage stomach discomfort.

Per serving: 0 calories

If you are feeling good and eating well, you may not need high calorie eating tips and recipes for symptoms. Instead, you can try our recipes in the Wellness Nutrition area.

Cardamom, Cinnamon, and Ginger Soother

This wonderful tea will encourage good digestion and the cinnamon may even help to steady blood sugar levels.

Preparation time: 7 minutes.

Serves one.

Ingredients

• 1 to 2 cups boiling water
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed, dried cardamom seeds
• 1-inch-long piece of gingerroot, peeled and finely minced
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (dried spice)

Instructions

• Put water on to boil for tea.
• Peel and finely mince gingerroot.
• Using a blunt kitchen tool, such as a rolling pin, mash minced gingerroot.
• Measure cardamom and cinnamon into large mug and add crushed gingerroot.
• Add a splash of cold water into the mug and then add boiling water.
• Stir to mix, cover, and let steep for 4 to 5 minutes.
• Strain to remove gingerroot pieces.
• Sip and enjoy.

Per serving: 0 calories

If you are feeling good and eating well, you may not need high calorie eating tips and recipes for symptoms. Instead, you can try our recipes in the Wellness Nutrition area.