Important: This article is for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer for more details.
Whether it’s due to stress, overeating, food sensitivity, indigestion, or a sudden stomach bug, an upset stomach can make your entire day uncomfortable. While rest, hydration, and light foods play an important role in recovery, sipping on the right herbal teas can bring almost instant comfort.
Certain teas contain natural compounds that relax the digestive tract, reduce inflammation, relieve nausea, and settle the stomach gently. The warmth of the tea itself can soothe digestive muscles and promote better digestion, making herbal teas one of the simplest and most effective home remedies for stomach distress.
The 9 Most Soothing Teas for an Upset Stomach
Let’s explore the most effective teas that can calm your stomach—naturally.
1. Ginger Tea – Fast Relief for Nausea & Indigestion
Ginger is one of the most trusted herbal remedies for digestive discomfort. Its active compounds — gingerol and shogaol — help speed up stomach emptying and reduce irritation in the gut.
Why It Works:
- Boosts digestion and gut motility
- Reduces nausea (ideal for motion sickness, pregnancy, stomach flu)
- Calms stomach spasms and inflammation
Best Time to Drink: Before or after meals, especially when nauseous.
How to Make It: Boil 4–5 thin slices of fresh ginger in 1½ cups of water for 8 minutes.
Best For: Indigestion, nausea, vomiting, and travel sickness.
Avoid If: You have a very sensitive stomach or severe GERD (may worsen symptoms in some people).
2. Peppermint Tea – The Bloating & Cramping Specialist
Peppermint tea contains menthol, which relaxes the gastrointestinal muscles and allows gas to pass, easing bloating and pain.
Why It Works:
- Reduces intestinal spasms
- Eases gas and bloating
- Helps soothe IBS-related stomach pain
Best Time to Drink: After meals for smoother digestion.
How to Make It: Steep 8–10 fresh peppermint leaves (or 1 tea bag) in hot water for 5–7 minutes.
Best For: Gas, bloating, cramps, IBS.
Avoid If: You suffer from acid reflux — peppermint can relax the valve and worsen it.
3. Chamomile Tea – Gentle Comfort for Stomach & Stress
Chamomile is famous for its calming effect on both the mind and digestive system. It acts as a mild digestive relaxant and anti-inflammatory agent.
Why It Works:
- Soothes the stomach lining and reduces acidity
- Relaxes the nervous system (great for stress-related stomach upset)
- Reduces cramps, gas, and indigestion
Best Time to Drink: Evening or bedtime — promotes digestion + sleep.
How to Make It: Steep 1 chamomile tea bag (or 1 tbsp dried flowers) for 4–6 minutes.
Best For: Acid reflux, stress-induced stomach pain, nighttime indigestion.
Avoid If: Allergic to ragweed or daisies.
4. Fennel Tea – Natural Remedy for Gas & Constipation
Fennel contains anethole, a compound that relaxes the digestive muscles and helps expel trapped gas.
Why It Works:
- Reduces gas, bloating & abdominal pressure
- Supports bowel movement & prevents constipation
- Eases colic in children
Best Time to Drink: After meals, especially dinner.
How to Make It: Crush 1 tsp of fennel seeds and boil for 5–7 minutes.
Best For: Gas, constipation, heavy meals, and children’s digestive discomfort.
5. Lemon Balm Tea – Best for a Nervous or Sensitive Stomach
Lemon balm is part of the mint family, but milder and more calming for the nervous system — ideal for anxiety-linked stomach issues.
Why It Works:
- Calms the gut-brain axis — ideal for emotional stomach upset
- Reduces nausea & cramping
- Helps with mild digestive inflammation
Best Time to Drink: Evening or before stressful events.
How to Make It: Steep 1–2 tsp dried lemon balm or 10–12 fresh leaves for 6–8 minutes.
Best For: Stress-induced indigestion, pre-exam anxiety, stomach, and nausea.
6. Licorice Root Tea – Soothing Protection for the Stomach Lining
Licorice root acts as a demulcent, meaning it coats and protects the stomach lining, helping it heal.
Why It Works:
- Reduces inflammation & acid irritation
- Supports the healing of gastritis and mild ulcers
- Helps with acid reflux when used short-term
Best Time to Drink: 30 minutes before meals or between meals.
How to Make It: Simmer 1 tsp dried licorice root in water for 8–10 minutes.
Best For: Heartburn, acid reflux, gastritis, recurring indigestion.
Caution: Avoid if you have high blood pressure; use for short periods only.
7. Green Tea – Gentle Support for Digestion & Gut Microbiome
Green tea contains catechins that reduce inflammation and act as prebiotics, feeding good gut bacteria.
Why It Works:
- Reduces digestive inflammation
- Supports healthy gut bacteria
- Improves fat digestion and metabolism
Best Time to Drink: Between meals, not on an empty stomach.
How to Make It: Steep for 2–3 minutes only — over-steeping causes bitterness and acidity.
Best For: Indigestion, sluggish metabolism, mild nausea.
Avoid If: You have high acidity or ulcers — drink only mild-strength green tea.
8. Ginger-Lemon Tea – Dual Action for Sour Stomach & Nausea
This combination enhances ginger’s anti-nausea effect with lemon’s digestive benefits.
Why It Works:
- Ginger settles nausea, and lemon aids digestion
- Refreshes a sour stomach or bad taste in the mouth
- Supports immunity during stomach flu
Best Time to Drink: Anytime during stomach discomfort or morning.
How to Make It: Add 1–2 tsp lemon juice to ginger tea once slightly cooled (to preserve vitamin C).
Best For: Stomach flu, morning sickness, indigestion, and nausea from food.
9. Turmeric Tea – Anti-Inflammatory Gut Healer
Turmeric’s active compound curcumin has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that support gut health.
Why It Works:
- Reduces inflammation in the digestive tract
- Supports gut lining & healing
- Eases IBS, gas & abdominal pain
Best Time to Drink: Morning or before bed.
How to Make It: Simmer ½ tsp turmeric in 1 cup water or milk for 6–7 minutes; add a pinch of black pepper for absorption.
Best For: IBS, chronic inflammation, weak gut lining, recurrent stomach discomfort.
What Research Says: Do These Teas Really Help?
Modern studies support the use of herbal teas for digestive relief:
- Research published in the Journal of Gastroenterology confirms that ginger enhances digestion and reduces nausea effectively (1).
- Peppermint tea has shown significant benefits in reducing IBS symptoms, especially abdominal pain and bloating (2).
- Chamomile has natural anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties that help calm the digestive tract (3).
- Studies suggest that green tea polyphenols support the gut microbiome, aiding digestion and reducing inflammation (4).
- Curcumin (in turmeric) has been studied for its ability to support gut health and reduce irritation in the digestive tract (5).
While teas are not a cure for major digestive issues, they can provide gentle, effective relief for common stomach troubles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’S)
1. How many cups of tea should I drink for stomach relief?
A. 1–3 cups per day is usually enough. Start with one and see how your stomach responds.
2. Can children drink these teas for stomach pain?
A. Yes, but only mild teas like chamomile or fennel are suitable for children—and in smaller amounts. Avoid peppermint for very young children.
3. How long does it take for tea to relieve an upset stomach?
A. Many people feel relief within 15–30 minutes, depending on the cause of discomfort and the tea used.
A warm cup of tea can be one of the most comforting and effective remedies for an upset stomach. Whether you’re dealing with nausea, bloating, acidity, or stress-related stomach discomfort, there’s a tea that can help soothe your digestive system and bring relief.
Try keeping a few of these teas at home so you have natural stomach support whenever needed. Sometimes, the simplest remedies are the most powerful.
