Two of the most reliable gas-easing plants in the herbal cabinet, steeped together. Fennel seeds have been used for centuries to quiet a bloated stomach after eating, and peppermint relaxes the smooth muscle along your gut so trapped air actually moves, the same idea behind our lemon ginger tea. Crush the fennel seeds first, that's the step people skip, and you'll get noticeably more out of every cup.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp fennel seeds, lightly crushed
- 1 tbsp fresh peppermint leaves (or 1 peppermint tea bag)
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 1 tsp honey (optional)
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil, then remove from heat.
- Add crushed fennel seeds and peppermint leaves. Cover and steep for 7 minutes.
- Strain into a mug.
- Stir in honey if using, and sip slowly while still warm.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| Calories | 20 |
| Total fat | 0g |
| Total carbohydrates | 5g |
| Dietary fiber | 0g |
| Protein | 0g |
| Sodium | 5mg |
Why This Is Good for Your Gut
Fennel seeds contain anethole, a compound shown to relax intestinal muscle and help move trapped gas along, which is why fennel tea has long been used after heavy meals. Peppermint's menthol has a similar antispasmodic effect on the gut wall, easing cramping tied to bloating. Both ingredients are low-FODMAP in the amounts used here, so this tea itself won't add to the problem it's meant to solve.
Keep a jar of crushed fennel seeds by the kettle. This is the fastest relief in the whole book. For other soothing sips, try our ginger turmeric tea or citrus ginger immune tea.
This recipe is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional dietary advice.
