The Best Tea for Nausea, According to Dietitians
The Best Tea for Nausea, According to Dietitians
When nausea strikes, it can be hard to do pretty much anything. Thankfully, you don’t have to spend your hard-earned money on an expensive supplement or tincture to settle that stomach. Instead, reach for this staple tea found at nearly every market.
The #1 Tea for Nausea
Mint isn’t just for chewing gum or holiday candy. In tea form, it may also help settle an upset tummy. Mint tea may contain a blend of both peppermint and spearmint leaves. However, research points to peppermint as the prime contender for nausea relief.
Peppermint has a bold flavor and spicy kick thanks to compounds called methanol and menthone. On the other hand, spearmint has a more subtle, sweet flavor and contains the compound carvone (also found in dill and caraway seeds.) While spearmint may offer some health benefits, methanol, found in peppermint, is the most valuable player for nausea relief.
How Peppermint Tea Relieves Nausea
"The natural compounds in mint, like menthol, are antispasmodic, which means they can help relax the stomach and intestine muscles," says Jessie Wong, MAcc, RDN, LD, a dietitian specializing in gut health dietitian and the host of the IBS Nutrition Podcast. "This can alleviate symptoms of nausea more effectively than some other teas, which may not have the same muscle-relaxing and antispasmodic properties."
Recent studies have shown promise for peppermint oil in hospitalized patients experiencing nausea. One found that when patients received peppermint oil aromatherapy to relieve symptoms of nausea, on average, the patients noted significant improvements in nausea. Another study explored the effect topical administration of peppermint oil had on nausea, vomiting and retching (or the sound of vomiting) in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Scientists found when peppermint oil was applied to the skin between the nose and upper lip in patients taking anti-nausea medications, the patients reported a significant improvement in the severity of nausea, vomiting and retching.
When to Consider Using Mint Tea for Nausea Relief
Regardless of what’s causing your nausea, soothing mint tea may just offer some relief. Here are just a few of the ways it may help, according to Wong and Cohn.
- Digestive Issues: Mint tea is great for nausea caused by indigestion or an upset stomach. The soothing properties of mint can help ease discomfort and settle the stomach.
- Motion Sickness: If you’re prone to motion sickness, sipping on mint tea can help calm your stomach and reduce feelings of nausea, making it a good option before or during travel.
- Medication-Related Nausea: Some medications can cause nausea as a side effect. Mint tea can be a gentle and natural way to help alleviate these symptoms without interfering with the medication. Because mint may interact with certain medications, be sure to speak with your doctor first.
- Chemotherapy: For individuals undergoing chemotherapy, experiencing nausea is a common and dominant side effect. Alongside physician-prescribed anti-nausea medications, incorporating mint tea into the diet can be a delightful, effortless and calming addition to help alleviate and support relief from nausea.
Tips for Including Mint Tea in a Healthy Eating Pattern
If you’re new to mint tea, "start with a small cup to see how your body responds," says Wong. "You can enjoy it on an empty stomach, especially if you’re looking for relief from nausea or digestive discomfort."
Cohn agrees. "Starting your day with a gentle introduction to this refreshing beverage can enhance your experience and appreciation for it." As a cancer survivor, Cohn recommends enjoying a cup of mint tea with your breakfast. "This not only awakens your senses but also aids digestion and refreshes your palate," she says.
If you’d like to add mint tea to your eating plan, try these tips:
- Brew a batch of Iced Mint Green Tea or Green Jasmine-Mint Iced Tea with Lemon to enjoy throughout the day.
- Serve a cup of mint tea alongside a simple carbohydrate snack, like buttered toast or a few crackers, if you have a sensitive stomach.
- Sip a cup of mint tea at night. Since it’s caffeine-free, you won’t experience sleep disturbances as you would if you enjoyed caffeine-containing teas.
Other Strategies for Reducing Nausea
Need more relief? Try these additional nausea-reducing strategies:
- Enlist ginger: Whether you prefer to sip ginger tea or use ginger to spice up your meals, research reveals ginger may be a delicious, natural way to relieve nausea.
- Eat stomach-soothing foods: Consider adding apples and protein-rich foods to your meal plan to ease your nausea feelings, especially if your nausea is pregnancy-related.
- Sip on an oral rehydration solution: If vomiting is also an issue, these specially-formulated beverages can replace lost electrolytes to help you rehydrate.
- Eat small, frequent meals: Consider replacing your three larger meals with five smaller meals every three hours throughout the day.
- Try a natural home remedy: These dietitian-approved tricks may help settle your stomach.
Conclusion
Mint tea can be a quick, easy way to relieve nausea and soothe your stomach. Because mint tea may interact with certain medications, be sure to speak with your doctor to make sure it’s right for you.
FAQs
Q: What is the best way to brew mint tea?
A: You can brew mint tea by steeping 1-2 teaspoons of dried peppermint leaves in 1 cup of boiling water for 5-7 minutes. Strain the leaves and enjoy!
Q: Can I add mint tea to my daily routine?
A: Yes! You can enjoy mint tea at any time of day, whether as a morning pick-me-up, an afternoon treat, or a relaxing evening drink.
Q: Will mint tea interact with my medication?
A: Because mint tea may interact with certain medications, be sure to speak with your doctor before adding it to your daily routine.
Q: Can I use mint tea to relieve nausea during pregnancy?
A: While mint tea is generally safe to consume during pregnancy, it’s always best to speak with your healthcare provider before trying any new supplements or remedies.
Q: Can I use peppermint oil instead of mint tea?
A: Yes! Peppermint oil can be applied topically to the skin or used aromatically to help relieve nausea and other digestive issues. However, always dilute the oil with a carrier oil and perform a patch test before using it on your skin.
