3 Caffeine-Free Teas for Acid Reflux Relief
- Chamomile tea Chamomile is the common name for several daisy-like plants. It has been used for centuries as a medicinal herb. …
- Licorice tea Licorice tea may also prove helpful for acid reflux. For years, the herb licorice has been credited with easing stomach pain. …
- Ginger tea
Research suggests that chamomile tea may help relieve acid reflux symptoms caused by inflammation or stress. Still, there isn’t any medical research at this time to determine whether chamomile tea directly impacts symptoms of acid reflux. Most people can enjoy chamomile tea with little risk of side effects. Chamomile may cause drowsiness.
Certain herbal teas can actually worsen reflux symptoms because of their high acid content. Even though it’s lower than coffee and fruit juices, the acid level found in some teas could still irritate the stomach lining and worsen stomach reflux episodes. Listed below are some of the teas that should be avoided by reflux sufferers:
Some teas can make acid reflux worse. That’s not to say that drinking tea can’t help soothe acid reflux at all. Just like there are bad teas for acid reflux, there are also teas beneficial to soothing symptoms. Specific teas are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and inflammation properties that could improve acid reflux episodes.
15 Home Remedies for Acid Reflux
- Chewing Gum. Chewing gum (especially the sugar-free kind) can be an easy and inexpensive way to deal with acid reflux.
- Baking Soda & Water.
- Ginger.
- Licorice.
- Apple Cider Vinegar.
- Aloe Vera Juice.
- Bananas.
- Slippery Elm.
- Avoid Caffeine.
- Sleep with Your Head Elevated.
You can also make your own ginger tea by following this easy anti-inflammatory herbal tea recipe:
- Peel and cut a 2-inch knob of ginger into thin slices
- Add slices to a pot of water and boil for 10–30 minutes (depending on your desired potency)
- Strain and discard ginger
- When ready to drink, add fresh lemon or organic honey for sweetness
How to help acid reflux?
One of the ways to soothe acid reflux at home is by drinking tea. Before buying a cartful of tea boxes from your local grocery store, know which ones are beneficial for reflux symptoms, and which teas could make it worse.
Ginger is one of the best home remedies for acid reflux. It’s a powerful anti-inflammatory that can help relieve gastroesophageal irritation from exposure to acids and soothe the stomach in general. Ginger tea can also relieve nausea, which can greatly aid patients who are prone to vomiting during reflux episodes.
It can also prove beneficial to patients who experience stomach cramps due to acid build-up. To make ginger tea, peel some ginger, and cut it into small pieces. You can boil the ginger directly in a pot or pour it and steep it for 15 minutes. Drink a cup of ginger tea after every meal to improve reflux symptoms.
Tulsi tea is brewed using a basil herb species. Its scientific name is Ocimum sanctum and is commercially known as holy basil. Unlike basil used in foods, holy basil is commonly treated as a multi-beneficial Indian herb used to treat anything from nausea to bronchitis.
Black and oolong teas have about 60 to 90 mg and 50 to 75 mg of caffeine per 8 ounce cup, respectively. Definitely stay away from more caffeinated teas and choose milder versions. Otherwise, you can steep it for a shorter amount of time or simply add milk or water to dilute the tea.
Although no scientific evidence explains how chamomile works to soothe stomach pains, a necdotal evidence suggests that the tea is great for helping aches, cramps, and acid reflux. Like ginger, chamomile also has anti-inflammatory properties.
Ginger tea can also relieve nausea, which can greatly aid patients who are prone to vomiting during reflux episodes. Other benefits include improved blood circulation and stress-relief. Among the many antioxidants it contains are phenolic compounds, which are associated with improved LES contractions.