5 Teas To Relieve Nausea & An Upset Stomach Quickly

Upset and nauseated stomachs could be a side effect of stress, pregnancy, motion sickness, or another physical illness. Whatever the cause, getting them to go away as quickly as possible is usually the immediate reaction (well, after moaning and groaning, that is). If you're hoping to soothe the symptoms with a natural remedy, tea may be able to help. 

"Nausea1 is a commonly encountered symptom with a broad list of possible causes," a Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology study says. "It has been defined as an 'unpleasant painless subjective feeling that one will imminently vomit.'" According to the study, a few of those possible causes include: 

There are several more, and anyone who's unsure what might be triggering their nausea should seek a physician or a gastroenterologist for answers. If the symptoms are mild, simply brewing a warm cup of tea could help. 

So, yes, there's a reason you used to crave ginger ale when you were sick, but registered dietitian Jess Cording, M.S., R.D., CDN, says that consuming ginger in the form of a soda can actually mess with blood sugar levels and increase stomach discomfort. (In other words, stick with the tea.)

Additionally, "Mint seems to relax the digestive system, promoting overall digestion," registered dietitian Isabel Smith, R.D., CDN, previously said. All of these gastrointestinal benefits can help ease feelings of nausea and stomach discomfort. 

Most people turn to chamomile tea when they need help falling asleep, but the advantages go beyond bedtime. One study states, "Chamomile has been valued as a digestive relaxant4 and has been used to treat various gastrointestinal disturbances including flatulence, indigestion, diarrhea, anorexia, motion sickness, nausea, and vomiting." 

Similar to peppermint and chamomile, Smith once said, "Fennel eases the muscle of the digestive tract." This makes fennel tea useful for reducing bloat but also nausea. In fact, one randomized control trial found fennel tea can help reduce the intensity of nausea during menstruation5.

"Licorice root is widely used as a sweetener in many foods and beverages, but despite its pleasant taste, it also offers some health benefits," says Ayurvedic expert and mbg class teacher Sahara Rose. One of those benefits, according to research, is the ability to reduce symptoms of indigestion and nausea. 6

If you're not in the mood for tea, or you just finished your last cup, try one of these expert-approved natural ways to reduce nausea at home:

If you're feeling unexpectedly nauseated or sick to the stomach, brewing a pot of one of these five teas may ease the symptoms. If the discomfort persists or becomes more painful, reach out to your doc as it may be a sign of something more serious.