Heather's Tummy Teas for IBS & Irritable Bowel Syndrome

According the American Botanical Council, whose mission continues the historical tradition of disseminating scientific information that promotes the safe and effective use of medicinal plants, two herbs that can be easily brewed into tasty teas are particularly effective for IBS: peppermint and fennel.



The idea that herbs are nature's medicines is especially true when it comes to IBS, and brewing fresh or dried herbs into "tummy teas" is a particularly helpful (and enjoyable!) way to reap their benefits.

The leaves, flowers, stems, berries, and roots of many plants have long been brewed to prevent, relieve, and treat illness. The history of herbal medicine is in fact inextricably intertwined with that of modern science, as many manufactured drugs used today were originally derived from plants.

As such, Heather's Tummy Teas in both of these varieties can be used to dramatically relieve or even prevent painful abdominal spasms, bloating, gas, and bowel dysfunction such as diarrhea and constipation.

In addition, Heather's Tummy Teas™ herbs are safe for daily use and have no risk of short- or long-term side effects (though you might find their taste and soothing effects positively addictive!)

Since discovering herbal teas for IBS several years ago (and I sure wish I'd known about them sooner), I've become a true convert. I drink several cups a day, every day, and I carry herbal tea bags with me whenever I travel. I buy the herbs in bulk and simply brew them in tea strainers, and typically a pound lasts me a good two or three months. My daily favorite is peppermint, but fennel is nice for a change of pace and delicious with many ethnic foods (fennel tea sweetened with a little honey is wonderful with Indian and Middle Eastern meals). Overall, I've found herbal teas to be one of the easiest, fastest, safest, and downright enjoyable remedies for preventing and halting the whole spectrum of IBS symptoms, and I would urge you to give them a try.

Both of Heather's Tummy Teas are organic, naturally caffeine-free (caffeine is a GI tract stimulant, so it's best avoided for IBS), as they are herbs and do not contain any actual tea leaves, and they can be sweetened with a little honey or plain sugar if you wish. They're also delicious brewed plain. Heather's Tummy Teas can be chilled into iced tea also, but remember that ice-cold beverages on an empty stomach can trigger GI spasms, whereas the heat in hot teas is in and of itself a muscle relaxant. To make a glass of helpful Tummy Tea, simply brew 1-2 tablespoons of the dried herbs per eight ounce cup of fresh boiling water. The stronger the tea, the more pronounced its beneficial effects on your digestion, so don't be afraid to make a dark brew!