There are many different types of tea for constipation, which can be gentler on your system than some of the laxative medications on the market.
What is Constipation?
Constipation is a relatively common gastrointestinal condition in which it becomes difficult, painful or infrequent to pass a bowel movement. Generally, a person is considered to be constipated if they have fewer than three bowel movements in a single week. There can be many reasons for constipation, from dietary effects and side effects of medication to dehydration and excess stress. There can also be some side effects if constipation goes on for too long, so it is important to rectify the situation quickly. [1]
While there are plenty of laxative products on the market, some of these can be brutal on your digestive tract, damaging the bacterial balance in your gut, and having other side effects, such as diarrhea and dehydration. Using herbal teas for constipation, therefore, is a rather popular choice, due to the somewhat limited side effects, and other benefits of these nutrient-dense beverages.
Herbal Tea for Constipation
The most highly recommended herbal tea for constipation include the following:
Dandelion Tea
One of the benefits of dandelion tea is its function as a diuretic; by forcing more of the water into the excretory and urinary system, it also doubles as a mild laxative to help relieve bloating, cramping, and constipation. [2]
Too much or too little fiber can make you spend more time in the washroom than you actually want to. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Burdock Root Tea
Famed for its ability to fight infection and inflammation in the stomach, this tea is a natural choice to reduce the symptoms and discomfort of constipation. [3]
Senna Tea
The glycosides found within senna are known to have powerful laxative properties, helping loosen your bowels and break down blockage in your intestines, which can provide rapid relief. [4]
Licorice Root Tea
There are many causes of constipation, but inflammation of the bowels and intestines can slow the passage of food and thus delay the excretory process. Licorice root tea has a strong anti-inflammatory potential to make sure this doesn’t happen. [5]
Peppermint Tea
This tea stimulates digestion and induces the release of digestive fluids, which can help break down high-fiber food and ensure that peristaltic motion is happening normally in your stomach. [6]
Green Tea
The active ingredients in this tea are able to stimulate the immune system and prevent inflammation, which can ease the symptoms of constipation. [7]
Black Tea
This basic tea has been in use for thousands of years for its mild laxative properties; many people enjoy using this tea in the morning, similar to people using coffee, to start the day with a healthy bowel movement.
Word of Caution: While the use of these teas can be a rapid and effective way to cure constipation, it is possible to experience negative side effects when any substance is consumed in excess. Each of these teas has a different nutrient composition and should be considered independently. Some of the common side effects of these laxative teas include the following:
- Dehydration
- Excess diarrhea, which can often be just as unpleasant and dangerous as constipation.
Be sure to speak with your doctor before using a natural remedy for constipation, especially if you are on other medication or have a pre-existing condition.
