Tea gurus figured that since warm water has been hailed as ‘medicine’ since time immemorial, as well as certain herbs that people have consumed to relieve constipation, a combination ‘tea’ would not only warm the insides, aiding the contraction and relaxation of the digestive tract, but also stimulate bowel movements.
This article explores ten types and brands of tea that aid in the relief of constipation in the modern age.
Table of Contents
NO.1 Senna Tea
Senna leaves appear to be the most popular form of laxative, being added to various tea concoctions to relieve the symptoms of constipation. The active ingredient in the leaves are called anthraquinones, and are the chemicals that stimulate the bowels when you consume this laxative tea for constipation.
Benefits/Side effects of Senna Tea
While Senna is hailed as the ‘go-to’ herb for constipation relief, drinking Senna infused herbal teas also have some significant side effects, such as stomach discomfort, severe, cramping and diarrhea.
The body also gets used to it and then does not function properly to produce a bowel movement on its own. Senna also works as a diuretic, but it is not recommended to drink the tea for more than two weeks at a time.
How to brew Senna Tea?
You can find Senna tea bags or granules in most pharmacies or health stores. Some people like to use the leaves to brew the tea themselves.
- Step.1 – Steep the leaves in a pot of boiling water for ten minutes.
- Step.2 – Strain and drink.
- Step.3 – Expect results in 8 to 12 hours.
Best consumed late evening, before bedtime to produce a bowel movement in the morning.
NO.2 Cascara Sagrada Tea
While this herb has been used by Native Americans in the northwest of the USA for hundreds of years it was only introduced to modern medicine in the 1800s by a physician called Dr Bundy.
Subsequently, Cascara Sagrada was named by the early Spanish seafarers and colonists and its name means sacred bark, whereas in the US it is known as California buckthorn. The red, woody bark is harvested, dried and then aged before being used in laxative teas for constipation relief.
Benefits/Side effects of Cascara Sagrada Tea
Cascara has been used to treat a host of issues, aside from constipation, including gallstones, joint and muscle pain and other digestive problems.
In very severe cases where the herb has been overused it may cause cramping and abdominal pain. It can also cause dehydration leading to a loss of electrolytes in the body.
How to brew Cascara Sagrada Tea?
- Step.1 – Mix a tablespoon of dried cascara powder with two and a half cups of water.
- Step.2 – Steep for five minutes.
- Step.3 – strain into a cup and enjoy warm or cold.
The tea takes between 8-12 hours to produce bowel movements.
NO.3 Valerian Root Tea
This plant, found in Europe and Asia, bears sweet-scented pink or white flowers and the roots are often used to brew tea for constipation. It contains alkaloids and flavanones, and isovaleric acid that help move stubborn bowels along.
Benefits/Side effects of Valerian Root Tea
Antioxidants stimulate the colon muscle function and relieves gas and other elements that could affect normal bowel movements through its calming effect.
Headaches, a feeling of sleepiness or dullness and even an upset stomach are common side-effects.
How to brew Valerian Root Tea?
- Step.1 – Mix two teaspoons of fresh or dry Valerian root with 1 and a ½ cups of warm water.
- Step.2 – Add honey or sugar to taste.
- Step.3 – Steep for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Step.4 – Strain into a tea cup and enjoy.
NO.4 Dr Miller’s Holy Tea
Aiding in constipation relief, Dr Miller’s Holy Tea contains Blessed or Holy Thistle, Ginger, Papaya, Persimmon leaves, as well as Marshmallow and Malva leaves, amongst some other beneficial ingredients.
Benefits/Side effects of Dr Miller’s Holy Tea
This tea is known to be beneficial for detoxifying the body of various poisons and parasites, while acting as a diuretic and laxative, and keeping the colon and liver healthy.
It can produce a plethora of symptoms when overused, such as actually causing constipation and bloating.
NO.5 Yogi Peppermint Tea
Yogi Peppermint tea is a blend of peppermint leaves that are often used by traditional medicine to ease heartburn and other minor indigestion issues, thus many people drink peppermint tea after a meal.
Since constipation is often a sign of irritable bowel syndrome, mint tea is ideal for the relief of flatulence and bloating while it relaxes the digestive system.
Benefits/Side effects of Peppermint Tea
If you are a person with mild constipation the menthol in Peppermint tea is ideal for relaxing an upset stomach. However, a side-effect of over-use may be heartburn, nausea and vomiting or a dry mouth.
How to brew Peppermint Tea?
- Step.1 – 1 teaspoon of dried mint leaves in a cup of hot water for 3 minutes.
- Step.2 – Add a little stevia powder to taste and enjoy a soothing tea.
There is no time limit to wait for results as mint tea is more of a bowel support than an actual laxative.
NO.6 Dandelion Root Tea
Dandelion Root tea soothes mild digestive problems and improves a person’s appetite while also relieving mild constipation. The whole plant is actually edible so some people will use the flowers, stems and the roots to brew tea for constipation relief.
Benefits/Side effects of Dandelion Root Tea
Aside from being good for relieving bloating and constipation, it helps flush toxins from the liver because it is a diuretic and also produces bile that could soften stools.
However, there are warnings indicating dandelion tea can cause allergic reactions and diarrhea, heartburn and indigestion.
How to brew Dandelion Root Tea?
- Step.1 – When making dandelion root tea specifically, you can chop up half a cup of roots with a mortar and pestle until it is fairly chunky.
- Step.2 – simmer the crushed roots in a pan of water (about 2 cups) for 15 minutes, then let it cool down.
- Step.3 – After it has settled, strain it into a cup and drink.
Dandelion doesn’t have a noticeable or immediate effect on bowel movement as Senna or Cascara does, but is said to be a good liver detox over a 24-hour period and aids in softening stool.
NO.7 Ginger Root Tea
Ginger root tea is popular for relieving stomach upsets as it improves digestion and absorption of food. It comes from a flowering plant that produces rhizomes, a kind of spicy and tangy root. It is added to many Asian food dishes and is used internationally in medicines that relieve the common cold or flu.
Benefits/Side effects of Ginger Root Tea
There is not much to say that ginger actually aids in relieving constipation but it is possible that the anti-inflammatory properties, along with the fact that it creates ‘heat’ in the body can help move the bowels along.
Mostly it is useful as a home remedy to fight respiratory problems, improve blood circulation and improve immunity to diseases. Heartburn might be a side-effect, as well as throat irritation and abdominal discomfort.
How to brew Ginger Root Tea?
- Step.1 – simmer two tablespoons of fresh ginger root in two cups of water.
- Step.2 – remove from the heat and allow to steep for 10 minutes or more.
- Step.3 – add some honey for flavour and enjoy
Ginger contains many benefits to relieve stress and ultimately stress-induced constipation.
NO.8 Black Forest Tea
Considered to be an excellent herbal tea for relief of constipation this herbal laxative drink is also believed to speed up metabolism and help you to lose weight. You can buy dried tea leaves but it is most commonly found in retail stores and pharmacies in tea bag form and comes in flavours such as apricot, apple and lime.
Benefits/Side effects of Black Forest Tea
Containing Senna, this laxative tea is good for the relief of occasional constipation and bloating. Aside from promoting gut health it is believed that Black Forest Tea aids in lowering bad cholesterol in the blood and may even reduce blood pressure but being black tea, contains caffeine and is believed to cause headaches, irregular heartbeats, diarrhea and other caffeine-related symptoms.
How to brew Black Forest Tea?
- Step.1 – drop a teabag of Black Forest into a cup and add boiling water.
- Step.2 – allow the tea to steep for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Step.3 – Add your preferred sweetener – sugar or honey and even milk if you wish. Drink and enjoy.
Black Forest herbal tea works really fast in most people to produce a bowel movement. It should also be noted that the longer you brew this tea the more potent it becomes, and may take 8 – 12 hours to work.
NO.9 Marshmallow Root Tea
A herb that is native to Europe and the western parts of Asia, Marshmallow root contains healing powers in its sap, with many healing compounds found in this mucilage.
Benefits/side effects of Marshmallow Root Tea
Because it has laxative properties Marshmallow root is found in many medicines and constipation teas, but in some cases can cause an upset stomach and lightheadedness if too much is consumed over a period of time.
How to brew Marshmallow Root Tea?
- Step.1 – Add two tablespoons of dried Marshmallow Root in 3 cups of hot water.
- Step.2 – Allow it to steep for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Step.3 – Strain it and enjoy.
Marshmallow Root is a mild laxative so could take up to 24 hours to work by itself, but mixed with other herbs, it would act more as a support in getting the bowels to move.
NO.10 Licorice Root Tea
It is believed that drinking licorice root tea is excellent for many stomach and bowel conditions that leave people bloated and constipated. It is also believed to have immune-boosting properties as it contains a kind of amino acid called glycyrrhizic acid.
Benefits/Side effects of Licorice Root Tea
Many people drink a cup of licorice root tea after a meal as it soothes your digestive tract after eating rich foods, and helps encourage bowel movements and alleviate signs of constipation.
However, some concerning effects have been listed online including things like absence of menstrual periods, excessive fluid in the lungs, headaches and high blood pressure. Thus, it should be consumed with care and not in great quantities.
How to brew Licorice Root Tea?
- Step.1 – Place one teaspoon of dried licorice root tea into a cup of boiled water.
- Step.2 – Allow it to steep for ten minutes or more.
- Step.3 – Strain and stir in a little honey or stevia if not sweet enough.
Note: Licorice flavours might take a little longer to come out, so some sites online suggest simmering it for 40-45 minutes to derive the best strength and flavour.
As a laxative, it is once again more of a support is a combination of herbs to relieve constipation.
In conclusion, many laxative herbs actually help the body overall to relax and to release toxins, stimulating the evacuation of the bowels, that often stop working during stressful periods in our lives. Thus, the liquid and the good sugars in the herbs all work together to relieve constipation.
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