This Herbal Tea Will Eliminate the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms
Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a widespread disorder that affects the colon. This chronic condition can be triggered by food allergies, stress, and intestinal infections. The most common symptoms of IBS are:
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain and cramping that go away when bowels are relieved
- Gas
- Loss of appetite
- Alternating phases of constipation and diarrhea
- Mucus in the stool
About 60 million American adults, or 1 in 5 individuals, suffer from IBS and experience its annoying symptoms. Because these signs are very common, only a few people seek medical help for Irritable bowel syndrome. Because IBS is a chronic illness, the best way to treat it is to manage the symptoms over the long term.
Try to pay attention to the IBS episodes and avoid alcohol, caffeine, and processed food. Stress is another important factor in IBS, so if you have a stressful life try to exercise regularly, take up yoga and get plenty of sleep. You also have to increase your intake of vitamin D and have a healthy diet.
These solutions will work in the long term, helping you take control of this disease. But for the more immediate symptoms, you should try this soothing tea made of just two ingredients: peppermint and fennel.
Contents
Benefits of Fennel
Fennel is a crunchy vegetable often found in the Mediterranean diet. It contains phytonutrients that increase the body’s anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory abilities. Fennel can soothe the muscle spasms in the intestinal tract thanks to the anethole phytonutrient which has a mild estrogen-like activity. The recipes for IBS usually make use of fennel leaves and fronds, which you can also consume as garnish.
Benefits of Peppermint
Peppermint is well known for its cooling properties, which also work wonders for the digestive tract. Peppermint contains menthol which relaxes the intestinal muscles and can also prevent cramping and muscle spasms, two common symptoms experienced by people suffering from IBS.
Besides this, peppermint also has anti-microbial properties which help the body target and eliminate fungi and bacteria in the stomach, including the ulcer-causing H. Pylori. Studies have found that peppermint oil is one of the safest and most potent treatments for IBS. A double-blind study has been made of children suffering from IBS, with 75% of them being given peppermint oil. The results showed that they experienced less severe IBS pain and an overall improvement in the symptoms.
Fennel & Mint Tea For IBS
Ingredients:
- Fresh peppermint
- Fresh fennel leaves or fronds
- 4-6 cups of water
- Honey
- Strainer and a bowl
How to prepare the tea?
Chop the peppermint and the fennel to release the oils and add them into your serving vessel. Bring the water to a boil and then pour it over the herbs and let them steep for 15-20 minutes. The longer you let the tea steep, the stronger it will be. Strain the herbs and add honey to taste. Drink 1-3 cups of this amazing tea each day to relieve the IBS symptoms.