Homemade Nausea Tea for Upset Stomachs That Really Work – Naturally!
When my stomach feels off, especially with nausea or a tummy bug, I turn to homemade nausea tea for quick and gentle relief. A simple blend of natural ingredients like ginger, chamomile, and peppermint can soothe nausea, calm cramps, and help settle an upset stomach without any harsh chemicals. It’s a comforting way to support your digestion and help your body bounce back.
I make nausea tea with whatever I have on hand, OR what seems to be working the best. Nausea has several causes, so whether you’re dealing with morning sickness, a tummy bug, or just feeling queasy, you need the right tea that has the calming effects needed.
Skip the medicine cabinet when nausea strikes. Try some different medicinal herbs to kick it to the curb.
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Best Medicinal Herbs for Nausea Tea
When my stomach feels off, I reach for teas known for calming queasiness and upset tummies. These herbal options each bring unique compounds that work gently but effectively, making them staples in my remedy kit. From warming ginger’s spicy touch to the cooling notes of peppermint and the soothing calmness of chamomile, these teas address nausea in proven ways.
Ginger Tea: Nature’s Classic Soother
Ginger tea has been my go-to whenever nausea strikes. The secret lies in gingerol, the active compound that helps reduce inflammation and speed up digestion. This makes it especially effective for nausea caused by indigestion, motion sickness, seasickness, or morning sickness.
I usually grate fresh ginger root or use dried ginger to brew my tea. The warmth helps relax my stomach muscles and can neutralize stomach acid, easing discomfort. Adding a pinch of cardamom often enhances both flavor and digestive benefits, as it contains anethole, which has mild anti-inflammatory effects.
Ginger improves circulation in the pelvis region, so it works in reproductive tonics for women. Use it if you have menstrual cramps or PMS
Peppermint Tea: Cooling Comfort for Queasiness
Peppermint tea is another favorite, especially when my nausea feels like it’s wrapped up in tension or stress. The menthol in peppermint cools and relaxes digestive tract muscles, which can calm that unsettled sensation.
Peppermint has antispasmodic properties that help to reduce stomach cramping and spasms. The flavor is welcoming after a bout of vomiting and eases indigestion. Its flavor helps when used in conjunction with other, less-tasty medicinal herbs.
I use peppermint leaves, but spearmint can also work well if you prefer a milder taste. Peppermint tea is caffeine-free, which lets me enjoy it anytime without worrying about jitters. Sometimes, I add a little licorice tea to the mix — it helps coat my stomach lining and soothes irritation.
Chamomile Tea: Gentle Relief for Sensitive Stomachs
For more sensitive stomachs, chamomile tea always helps me relax and settle the gut. It contains natural sedatives and anti-inflammatory compounds that reduce nausea by calming nerves and easing digestive spasms.
I brew chamomile flowers loosely and steep them just enough to release their gentle flavor. Chamomile pairs well with a touch of honey or a slice of lemon if I want a bit of sweetness or tartness. While it’s not as strong as ginger or peppermint, chamomile’s mild effects make it perfect for nighttime sipping or after meals.
Chamomile is great for children. It is said to help calm colic for infants, but you should discuss this with your pediatrician before use. It also helps with childhood digestive issues. If your child is resistant to drinking nausea tea, you can place the tea bags into a warm bath and allow your child to soak in the water.
Supporting Ingredients and Blends for Enhanced Effect
Adding the right herbs to your nausea tea can really boost its effectiveness. Certain ingredients not only help calm your stomach but also target digestion, bloating, and discomfort with their natural compounds. I’ve found that combining these herbs thoughtfully makes a noticeable difference.
Fennel Tea for Digestion and Bloating
Fennel tea is one of my favorite go-to ingredients when nausea hits, especially when bloating tags along. It contains a compound called anethole, which helps relax the smooth muscles in your digestive system. This relaxation eases cramping, reduces gas, and calms an irritated stomach.
Cinnamon and Cardamom for Extra Soothing
Cinnamon and cardamom are great spices to blend into nausea tea for additional relief. Cinnamon offers gentle warming effects that can help soothe your digestive tract, while cardamom’s essential oils provide a subtle aromatic lift that calms nausea quickly.
Cardamom contains essential oils known to reduce queasiness by relaxing the stomach muscles. Its flavor pairs beautifully with cinnamon, which also has mild anti-inflammatory properties.
Plus, if you’re like me, a dash of cinnamon makes everything taste better.
Licorice Root Tea: Sweet Relief and Safety Tips
Licorice root tea is a sweet, soothing option thanks to the compound glycyrrhizin, which has anti-inflammatory effects that calm digestive discomfort. It can be especially comforting when your stomach feels irritated or inflamed.
If you decide to use licorice root, keep the intake moderate, around 1 to 2 cups daily. Glycyrrhizin can raise blood pressure or cause other side effects if consumed in large amounts.
How to Brew Nausea Tea at Home
Coming up with the perfect nausea tea when you have an upset stomach often depends on trial and error. However, no matter which herbs you select, making herbal teas follow the same steps. Let’s get started!
1. Use Fresh or Dried Herbs
Most of the time, I use dried herbs because that is what I have on hand most of the time. However, some prefer to use fresh ingredients, especially when it comes to ginger.
Dried ginger is effective and safe to use, but fresh ginger root offers stronger nausea relief. Fresh ginger contains more potent gingerol, so slicing or grating it yourself may combat an upset stomach faster.
2. Create Your Tea Blend
The next step is to make your tea blend. You’ll notice that most herbal tea blend recipes specify quantities using terms like “one part” or “two parts.” This is because some prefer to make larger batches or smaller, individual-sized cups.
So, if you want to make a cup of tea, I use 1/2 to 1 tsp per ingredient. This is my “one part,” but you can adjust this as you want. If you enjoy a specific blend, the “one part” may become one cup, and you toss all of the ingredients together.
3. Allow Your Herbal Tea to Steep
One of the main differences between brewing a cup of hot tea and making herbal tea is the steep time. We often drink a cup of black tea within a few moments, and we use sufficiently hot water.
Herbal teas are different. I use water heated between 195°F and 205°F and allow the tea to steep for about 10 to 15 minutes for fresh herbs and for 7-10 minutes when using dried herbs. This temperature range will extract the most herbal properties without destroying anything.
It’s also not a bad idea to cover the cup of tea while steeping to trap in any essential oils that may escape. It creates a more flavorful and effective tea.
However, if you add peppermint leaves to your blend, it needs a slightly cooler step – around 190°F for 5 to 7 minutes—since boiling water can cause bitterness and diminish menthol’s soothing effects.
4. Remember to Customize as Needed
If you’re making herbal teas for children or people with sensitive tummies, use mild flavors and avoid bitter herbs. You may want to reduce the ginger because of its strong flavor and add more chamomile to reduce the intensity.
My kids love chamomile tea!
Peppermint or spearmint is good for children, but due to the menthol flavor, reduce the amount used. Peppermint can also worsen acid reflux, so be sure to ask the adult if they suffer from that before creating any blends.
Adding a bit of natural sweetener, like honey, will increase the palatability of the tea without further upsetting a stomach. Encourage children to take small sips to start, allowing their bodies to adjust gently.
Dealing with an upset stomach is never fun, but having a natural, soothing remedy on hand can make all the difference. The next time you’re feeling a bit under the weather, skip the store-bought medicine cabinet and head to your kitchen instead. There is something incredibly healing about sipping a warm mug of tea that you brewed yourself.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. While these natural remedies can be helpful for mild nausea, please consult with a doctor if your symptoms are severe, persistent, or if you are pregnant or nursing before trying new herbal remedies.
