Best Teas

Best Tea for Digestion: Gentle Everyday Comfort

By Abianne Falla Apr 1, 2019

Good digestion is easy to take for granted, until it isn't. A heavy meal, a stressful day, or just the wrong combination of foods can leave you uncomfortable and looking for relief. The right cup of tea can help settle your stomach, ease bloating, and support your gut health both between and after meals.

These are some of the best digestive teas worth keeping in your pantry, starting with one you may not have tried yet.

If you want to get some for yourself, we have a collection of the best teas for your digestion right here in tea bags, loose leaf, or iced tea pouches.

What is the Best Tea for Digestion?

1. Yaupon Tea

Yaupon is the only naturally caffeinated plant native to North America, per the NPS. It has unique properties that traditional herbal teas lack. One of these benefits is theobromine, which you may know better in association with chocolate. It's the compound that makes you feel better when you eat it. It helps elevate your mood and boost your focus and attention.

When combined with the caffeine in yaupon, these benefits are enhanced, reducing the hangry feelings that come with fasting. Research on yaupon's polyphenol content also suggests it may support gut health by helping maintain a balanced digestive environment.

Benefits:

Theobromine acts as a muscle relaxer to calm those sounds of hunger.
Benefits for your immune system from the antioxidants that remove free radicals in your body.
Gives the gentle boost of energy from caffeine tempered by an interaction with polyphenols that can reduce the negative effects on mood.

Side Effects:

May cause sleeplessness due to caffeine if large amounts of yaupon are consumed all at once.

Try our CatSpring Yaupon Tea bags to make fasting more enjoyable. It's organic, non-GMO, kosher, sustainably grown, and naturally caffeinated.

2. Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea has a signature minty flavor due to its easy brewing using mint leaves. This menthol-based flavor can help soothe your intestines and reduce bloating while also instantly freshening your breath. A refreshing glass with a cooling effect, this is a soothing option for those looking to complement their fast. Pro tip: You can also add peppermint oil to other beverages

Benefits:

Improve digestive issues and relieve discomfort and bloating with menthol.
A natural muscle relaxant to soothe nerves and relieve potential headaches.
Freshens breath to help you feel satiated.

Side Effects:

Can worsen acid reflux by relaxing the muscles around the stomach sphincter.

3. Ginger Tea

Ginger tea is a great companion for your fasting period. Whether helping stave off hunger, soothe an upset stomach, or aiding the body in breaking down food, you can never go wrong with adding ginger to your tea routine.

As a rule of thumb, one cup of ginger tea contains about 250 milligrams of ginger, so aim to drink two to four cups to alleviate feelings of nausea, per guidance from the National Institutes of Health.

Benefits:

Makes you feel fuller longer by curbing your appetite.
Improve stomach emptying with compounds such as gingerols and shogaols, which stimulate stomach contractions.
Combat nausea thanks to ginger's active ingredient, gingerol, that's been shown to relieve an upset stomach in pregnant women and chemotherapy patients.

Side Effects:

Makes heartburn worse because it relaxes the muscle that prevents stomach bile from entering the esophagus.

4. Fennel Tea

Made from dried fennel seeds, this herbal tea has oils that relieve gas, bloating, constipation, and abdominal pain. It originates in the Mediterranean though it is now found all over the world. It's long been used to aid digestion and has a relaxing aroma. Tasting like licorice, this is a good option to try to help relieve indigestion and IBS symptoms.

Benefits:

Relaxes your muscles, which improves digestive flow and can help remove toxins from your system.
Improve sleep by relaxing your muscles, allowing you to unwind at the end of the day.
Antibacterial properties can help support healthy microbiomes.

Side Effects:

Some people may be allergic to fennel, so be sure to consult your doctor before trying.

5. Marshmallow Root Tea

Marshmallow is part of the Malvaceae family, which is known for its mucilaginous properties. This means they have a gelatinous consistency and can be used in recipes to thicken up soups and broths.

In the body, they can increase mucus production in the mucous membranes. A contributing factor to interstitial cystitis is the breakdown of the mucosal bladder lining and associated organs. Marshmallow tea can help increase mucus production in these areas, relieving inflammation and irritation.

Benefits:

Increase mucus production to help line your digestive tract and improve digestion, thanks to compounds like mucilage.
Ease pain, as research from the National Institutes of Health has found that marshmallows may have analgesic, or pain-reducing, properties.
Reduce the risk of ulcers through antioxidant properties that combat the effects of inflammation.

Side Effects:

It may cause an upset stomach, and it should only be consumed for up to four weeks at a time.

6. Black Tea

Basically green tea's cousin, black tea has similar properties that can help you feel energized, per guidance from the National Institutes of Health. With about half as much caffeine as a cup of coffee, this flavorful tea can help power you through the day. Black tea also has antioxidants and compounds that ease the effects of inflammation, protecting your cells and organs from damage.

Benefits:

Antioxidants help alleviate inflammation and counteract many of its negative effects.
May improve stomach emptying and ease the effects of some medications that cause upset stomach.
Get longer-lasting energy thanks to L-theanine, which is known to slow the release of caffeine and provide energy longer.

Side Effects:

Possible sleeplessness if you consume too much caffeine later in the day.

7. Licorice Root Tea

Licorice root has a long history of use across Asia and Europe, dating back to the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. Made from the root of the licorice plant, it has been used to treat upset stomach, respiratory problems, and inflammation.

Contemporarily, people use licorice to remedy acid reflux and other intestinal issues. Research suggests these health benefits come from the plant's flavonoid compounds, which also help reduce indigestion over time.

Benefits:

Protect your stomach with compounds that line it and help it withstand excess acid.
Reduce harmful bacteria due to flavonoids that combat them.
Hydrate your digestive system by washing away any debris.

Side Effects:

May elevate stress hormone cortisol production due to glycyrrhizin accumulation when consumed over long periods.

The Bottom Line

Owing to their amazing healthy-boosting properties, these are some of the best teas for digestion. These digestive teas can help soothe symptoms of nausea, constipation, ulcers, and general discomfort. To go deeper on how specific herbal teas support your gut, see our guide on Yaupon Tea and Improving Gut Health.

If you want to get our best tasting tea for digestion, check out our organic, naturally caffeinated CatSpring Yaupon tea here.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only and shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. If you have serious health-related issues, you should reach out to a medical professional. While we have studied the scientific research available, this is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about brewing, caffeine, and yaupon.

Yaupon (pronounced yō-pon) is a naturally caffeinated herbal tea made from the Yaupon Holly—the only plant in North America that offers a native source of caffeine. Rooted in centuries of Indigenous tradition, it’s known for its smooth, welcoming flavor and gentle, steady lift.

Here’s what people love about it:

Grows wild in Texas’ sandy-loam soil
Hand-harvested and gently roasted for smooth flavor
Naturally sweet and always smooth, never bitter

In Summary, Yaupon tea is a uniquely American, naturally energizing brew that’s smooth and enjoyable to drink.

Yaupon is naturally tannin-free, so it never becomes bitter—a key difference from green or black tea. It delivers the antioxidant benefits people look for in tea, but with a smoother, naturally sweet flavor and none of the astringency.

What sets it apart:

Combines the benefits of green and black tea while avoiding the downsides of each (bitterness, jitters, & sustainability concerns)
Yaupon is rich in antioxidants that combat oxidative stress and promote overall health & longevity
Powered by a rare trifecta of caffeine, theobromine & theacrine for a joyful, steady energy you won’t find in other teas

In Summary, Yaupon offers the benefits of tea with a smoother taste and cleaner energy, without bitterness or environmental strain.

Yes, Yaupon naturally contains caffeine—about 25 mg per 8–14 ounce cup—alongside theobromine and theacrine, a rare trio of naturally occurring compounds that create a joyful, steady lift.

What makes it special:

Naturally occurring caffeine
A smooth, steady upward feeling
No spike-and-crash pattern
Supports focus, clarity, and presence

In Summary, Yaupon provides a smooth, steady energy unlike anything found in traditional teas.

Modern research is beginning to affirm what Indigenous communities have known for generations—this is a plant that gently nourishes, sip by sip.

Why people feel good drinking it:

Naturally rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, and beneficial alkaloids
Tannin-free, making it smooth and easy on the stomach
Offers joyful, gentle caffeine without the spike or discomfort
Supports clear focus, balanced mood, and grounded energy

In Summary, Yaupon is a naturally giving plant, trusted for generations to offer clarity, steadiness, and gentle nourishment.

Learn More Here

Some teas demand precision—Yaupon isn’t one of them. Hot or iced, quick or slow, Yaupon simply meets you where you are.

What makes it so easy:

Stays smooth and clear, no matter the steeping time
Never becomes bitter or astringent
Consistent and clean whether served hot or iced

In Summary, Yaupon is effortlessly easy to brew—always smooth, always steady, and impossible to over-steeped.

Yaupon Tea Brewing Guide

Yaupon carries a smooth, naturally sweet flavor that reflects the Texas landscapes where it grows.

How each roast shows up in the cup:

Pedernales Green — crisp + bright
Clean and refreshing with delicate grassy notes, subtle savoriness, and a bright, earthy finish. A calming, green-hued cup inspired by the quiet limestone banks of the Pedernales River.
Lost Maples Medium Roast — golden + mellow
Smooth and warm with caramel, raisin, and toasted nut undertones. A mellow, comforting cup echoing the golden colors of Texas’ iconic Lost Maples in autumn.
Marfa Dark Roast — rich + toasty
Elegant and deeply roasted with warm, nutty sweetness and a subtle, earthy complexity. A sophisticated cup honoring the creative spirit of Marfa’s high-desert landscape.

In Summary, every cup of Yaupon reflects the Texas landscape—crisp, warm, or richly toasty, yet always smooth.

See What Customers Are Saying

Our Yaupon is wild-harvested across native Texas lands, where it thrives in sandy-loam soil without irrigation or chemicals. Each harvest reflects careful stewardship of the land and the long Indigenous traditions of gathering Yaupon in the American South.

Where it begins:

Transparent, traceable sourcing from leaf to label
Partnering with local ranchers and land owners to gather only what nature allows—by hand, respectfully, and sustainably
A People First Employment Initiative process that supports rural Texans

In Summary, our Yaupon comes straight from wild Texas landscapes where every cup reflects connection—to land, community, and nature.

Yaupon thrives in the wild without the need for irrigation, fertilizers, or pesticides, making it inherently sustainable. Through responsible wild-harvesting and Regenerative Organic Certified practices, Yaupon helps restore soil health and support native ecosystems.

What makes it regenerative:

Harvested from existing native ecosystems, not farmed fields
Leaves plants rooted and ecosystems intact through hand-harvesting
Supports healthy soil, carbon capture, and clean water cycles

In Summary, Yaupon isn’t just sustainably grown—it actively supports the revival of native Texas grasslands, helping the land flourish for generations to come.

Learn more about our sustainability practices here.

We hold our yaupon to some of the most rigorous standards in food and agriculture. Our leaves are certified USDA Organic through CCOF, Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC), Whole Kosher-certified, and screened according to AHPA guidelines for heavy metals and pesticide safety. Every batch is also tested for microbials and purity before it ever reaches your cup.

What ensures its integrity:

USDA Organic certification through CCOF
Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) practices
Whole Kosher certification
AHPA-aligned heavy metal and pesticide screening
Third-party microbial and purity testing

In Summary, our yaupon is as clean as the land it grows on—nourished by sunshine and rainwater, with nothing unnecessary added.

CatSpring Yaupon is gathered where it grows naturally—on native Texas land—rather than farmed or cultivated. We keep each plant rooted, harvest by hand, craft our roasts in small batches, and center our work on regenerative land care and meaningful rural employment.

What sets us apart: