Several tea varieties, including ginger or chamomile, may help relieve an upset stomach by treating issues like nausea, diarrhea, bloating, or vomiting. Certain teas may benefit individual causes.

When your stomach is upset, sipping a hot cup of tea may help ease your symptoms.

Still, the type of tea may make a big difference.

Certain varieties have been shown to treat issues like nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Here are nine teas to soothe an upset stomach and what to do if tea doesn’t help your symptoms.

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Many tea varieties can help support digestion and reduce symptoms of an upset stomach. These can include:

Green tea has been heavily researched for its many potential health benefits.

It was historically used as a natural remedy for diarrhea and infection from typhoid, a foodborne illness that causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

It may relieve other stomach issues as well.

For example, one 2022 studyTrusted Source found that green tea extract significantly improved diarrhea and decreased the duration of hospitalization in children with viral gastroenteritis, or stomach flu.

In animal studiesTrusted Source, green tea and its components have also been shown to treat stomach ulcers, which can cause issues like pain, gas, and indigestion.

Some people report feeling nauseous after drinking strongly brewed green tea on an empty stomach. To prevent this, stick to the recommended brewing time and drink tea with a small snack.

Green tea also contains caffeine, so it may not be the best choice for digestive relief before bed.

You can make ginger tea by boiling ginger root in water.

Ginger may be beneficial for digestive issues like nausea and vomiting.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), ginger may helpTrusted Source prevent morning sickness in pregnant people. But more research is still needed to determine whether it has a positive effect on nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy or after surgery.

A 2023 studyTrusted Source found that ginger root powder supplementation helped increase the diversity of the gut microbiome and improved symptoms of indigestion. However, the researchers didn’t find an effect on bowel function or gastrointestinal symptoms.

Although most studies looked at high dose ginger supplements, ginger tea may provide similar benefits.

To make it, grate a knob of peeled ginger and steep it in boiling water for 10 to 20 minutes. Strain and enjoy alone or with lemon, honey, or cayenne pepper.

Peppermint tea is a common choice when you feel the beginnings of an upset stomach.

A 2023 reviewTrusted Source suggests that peppermint oil can relax intestinal muscles, help relieve pain, and possibly treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A 2022 review of researchTrusted Source found it more effective than a placebo for reducing symptoms of IBS, which often involve bloating, gas, and constipation.

A 2017 reviewTrusted Source of 14 studies in 1,927 people suggested that peppermint oil reduced the duration, frequency, and severity of stomach pain in children.

This oil may also preventTrusted Source chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting, according to 2021 research.

A 2020 clinical trialTrusted Source suggests that simply smelling peppermint oil helps prevent nausea and vomiting.

Although these studies focus on the oil rather than the tea, peppermint tea may provide similar benefits.

Note: Peppermint tea can worsen acid reflux, but may soothe other causes of an upset stomach.

You can buy this tea at grocery stores or make your own by steeping crushed peppermint leaves in hot water for 7 to 12 minutes.

Black tea comes from the same plant as green tea, but the leaves are oxidized. Black tea may have similar health benefits to unoxidized green tea, especially for soothing an upset stomach.

It may be especially effective at treating diarrhea.

An older study from 2016 examined the effect of black tea supplements and standard treatment, consisting of an oral rehydration supplement and a zinc syrup supplement, in 120 children. The results suggest that taking a black tea tablet may improve the volume, frequency, and consistency of bowel movements.

However, more research is still needed.

Black tea contains more caffeine than green tea, so it is best to avoid this remedy in the hours before bedtime.

Fennel is a plant in the carrot family with a licorice-like flavor.

People commonly use tea from this flowering plant to treat a variety of ailments, including:

A 2015 studyTrusted Source in 159 people revealed that fennel tea promoted digestive regularity and gut recovery after surgery.

While there isn’t much research on its use for upset stomachs in people, a 2022 study in mice suggests it may support the function of the intestinal barrier that protects the digestive tract.

A 2016 test-tube studyTrusted Source found that fennel extract blocked the growth of several strains of bacteria, such as harmful E. coli.

You can try making fennel tea at home by pouring 1 cup, or 237 milliliters (mL), of hot water over 1 teaspoon, or 2 grams (g), of dried fennel seeds. Alternatively, you can steep the roots or leaves of the fennel plant in hot water for 5–10 minutes before straining.

Licorice is famous for its distinctly sweet, slightly bitter flavor.

Many forms of traditional medicine have utilized this legume to settle stomach upset.

A 2021 review that references multiple older studies suggests that licorice may help heal stomach ulcers, which can trigger symptoms like stomach pain, nausea, and indigestion, a condition that causes stomach discomfort and heartburn.

Notably, a 2011 month-long studyTrusted Source in 54 people showed that taking 75 milligrams (mg) of licorice extract twice daily significantly decreased indigestion.

Still, additional research is needed on licorice tea specifically.

You can purchase this tea at many supermarkets and online. It’s often combined with other ingredients in herbal tea blends.

It’s best to talk with a doctor before using licorice tea if you have high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease, or are pregnant.

Remember that licorice root is linked to several side effects and can be dangerous in high amounts. Therefore, stick to 1 cup (237 mL) of licorice tea daily and consult a healthcare professional if you have any medical conditions.

Chamomile tea is light, flavorful, and often considered one of the most soothing types of tea.

It’s often used to relax your digestive muscles and treat issues like:

  • gas
  • indigestion
  • motion sickness
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea

In a 2025 study in 110 people, 500 mg of chamomile extract taken one hour before middle ear surgery reduced the frequency of vomiting and nausea compared with a control group.

A small 2023 study found that consuming chamomile tea after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy reduced flatulence, or gas.

While these studies tested high amounts of chamomile extract, the tea made from these daisy-like flowers may also relieve some stomach problems.

To make it, steep a premade tea bag or 1 tablespoon (2 g) of dried chamomile leaves in 1 cup (237 mL) of hot water for 5 minutes.

Also known as tulsi, holy basil is an herb long revered for its medicinal properties.

Although not as common as other teas, it may help soothe an upset stomach.

Multiple animal studies discussed in a 2014 review of researchTrusted Source suggest that holy basil may protect against stomach ulcers, which can cause a wide range of symptoms, including:

  • stomach pain
  • heartburn
  • nausea

In a 2004 animal studyTrusted Source, holy basil reduced the incidence of stomach ulcers and enhanced the healing of existing ulcers within 20 days of treatment.

Still, studies on the effects of holy basil in people are needed.

You can find holy basil tea bags at many health stores and online. You can also use dried holy basil powder to brew a fresh cup yourself.

Like peppermint, spearmint may help relieve digestive distress. It contains a compound called carvoneTrusted Source, which helps reduce muscle contractions in your digestive tract.

In an older 8-week studyTrusted Source, 32 people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were given a product containing spearmint, coriander, and lemon balm alongside diarrhea or constipation medication.

Those taking the spearmint product reported significantly less stomach pain, discomfort, and bloating than those in the control group.

However, the supplement contained multiple ingredients, not just spearmint.

A 2015 test-tube study noted that spearmint prevented the growth of several bacterial strains that may contribute to foodborne illness and upset stomach.

Still, more research is needed on how spearmint affects digestion in people.

Spearmint tea is easy to make at home. Bring 1 cup (237 mL) of water to a boil, remove it from the heat, and add a handful of spearmint leaves. Steep for 5 minutes, then strain and serve.

If digestive teas and home remedies do not help your upset stomach and your symptoms do not improve or worsen, it’s best to talk with a doctor.

Sometimes, underlying health issues that require treatment can cause an upset stomach, and other times, they may require changes to your diet.

If you aren’t sure what’s causing your stomach upset, it’s best to talk with a doctor to determine the cause.

Research shows that tea provides many health-promoting properties, including helping settle an upset stomach.

If you’re experiencing nausea, indigestion, bloating, or cramps, a relaxing cup of tea may help soothe them.