Keeping your body hydrated is a natural way for easing constipation. 

Drinking tea for constipation is a great way to get more water into the body. This extra water in the body helps to soften stool and pass more smoothly. 

The warmth of the tea may also stimulate the digestive system and help to relieve symptoms. 

Drinking tea in the morning can help clear bowel movements while drinking excessive amounts of tea can get you more constipated. 

How Does Tea Help You Poop?

One of the major causes of constipation is dehydration. 

Herbal teas work as fluid to keep your intestine and body hydrated. As the body stays hydrated, the stools in the colon are softened and your intestine is better lubricated. 

When there is enough moisture remaining in the stools, it moves easily without much pressure making it easy to release. 

Certain herbs in tea can add to the benefits. 

Herbal tea containing senna and cascara should only be used for short-term constipation relief. 

Overusing tea for constipation can lead to dependency and decreased bowel function.

11 of the Best Herbal Teas to Treat Constipation 

If you’re looking to find out how to relieve constipation, look no further than your morning cup! 

Some tea for constipation has soothing and relaxing properties, some could provide a laxative effect, and some may even promote wellness on a molecular level. 

1. Peppermint Tea

The menthol compound in the Peppermint helps relieve constipation.

Peppermint is a natural hybrid mint, a cross between watermint and spearmint. They contain high levels of menthol, a chemical compound that has a calming effect on the stomach while moving stool through the intestines. 

It also helps burn body fats, reduce weight, control appetite, and reduce overeating. Drinking a cup of peppermint tea after each meal may benefit people who experience constipation and an upset stomach.

How To Use – Put a cup of water to boil and once it begins to boil, add peppermint leaves. Let the leaves boil for two minutes. Close the flame and wait until the tea turns green in color. 

2. Senna Tea

Senna Tea acts as a digestive stimulant and has a laxative effect.

This tea is made from dried leaves and pods of the Senna alexandrina shrub. 

This plant contains a compound called glycosides – a compound responsible for stimulating the digestive system and has a laxative effect. The same compound is responsible for the laxative effects provided by the tea. 

How To Use – Boil a cup of water. Add senna tea and boil it for 2 minutes. Shut the flame and let the tea steep. Senna tea tends to have a bitter taste, so you may want to add honey or some other flavoring to make it more palatable.

3. Ginger Tea

Ginger helps increase heat generation in a body that can help speed up digestion.

When your constipation is caused by bad digestion, ginger root can rescue your stomach. 

It has active antioxidants, shogaol, and gingerol properties that help treat nausea, indigestion, gas and alleviate symptoms of constipation including cramps and bloating.

How To Use – Add freshly cut ginger to 1 cup of water and boil it for about 5-7 minutes. Turn the flame off and let the ginger tea steep for about another 5 minutes. Regular intake of ginger tea—especially after a calories-rich meal can ease your digestive patterns.

4. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile gives soothing effects to the body and helps alleviate constipation.

Chamomile is a flower and also a herb. 

It is popularly used in teas for its soothing effects on the body. It can help alleviate constipation, and reduce inflammation and cramping by soothing stomach muscles. 

Drinking a cup of chamomile tea at the end of the day helps in proper food digestion, and relieves stress and anxiety. 

How To Use – Add some chamomile flower petals to a cup of water and boil for 10 minutes. You could also add a chamomile tea bag or tea powder if chamomile flower petals are not available. Once boiled, separate the petal or tea bag and enjoy the drink. Additionally, you can add a little bit of honey or drops of lemon for extra taste. 

5. Dandelion Tea 

Dandelion Tea helps to provide more water to the digestive system making the stool pass easily.

Dandelion can stimulate the liver to produce bile, which can indirectly help with constipation. 

It can also act as a diuretic in the body, adding more water to the digestive system and the stools. 

This can help to relieve mild constipation.

How To Use – There is no special way of making dandelion root tea. You may either add dandelion to boiling water or mix it with other tea like black tea.

6. Licorice Root Tea 

Licorice root soothes the digestive system and encourages a bowel movement.

Licorice root has an anti-inflammatory effect, and it may aid digestion. 

After a meal has settled, drinking a cup of licorice root tea may soothe the digestive system and encourage a bowel movement.

How To Use – Add some licorice root powder to green or black tea.

7. Marshmallow Root Tea 

Marshmallow root has a similar soothing effect as licorice which helps relieve constipation.

Marshmallow root may have a similar soothing effect as licorice, and its laxative properties make it a common ingredient in medicinal teas. 

How To Use – You could add marshmallow root to your regular, non-dairy tea.

8. Parsley Tea

Parsley works as a natural diuretic and helps move the stool more easily.

This is a common herb that may help with digestive disorders. 

A tea that includes the leaves or seeds of parsley may help to relieve mild constipation. 

Traditionally, people have chewed the leaves or stems to address issues such as bad breath and flatulence.

How To Use – Bring a cup of water to boil. Add fresh parsley leaves and close the flame. Let the tea steep for about 10 minutes. 

9. Cascara Tea 

Cascara tea helps reduce constipation through its colon cleansing properties.

Cascara sagrada is a stimulant laxative. It works by causing muscle contractions in the intestines. 

These muscle contractions help move stool through the bowels. The bark contains chemicals called anthraquinones that give it its color and its laxative effect.

How To Use – The usual dose is 300 mg taken 1 time a day. Taking cascara at a higher dose or for longer than 6 days is not advised.

10. Green Tea 

Green tea helps soften stool making it easy to travel through the colon.

Drinking more fluids can help reduce constipation including green tea, which can soften stools, so you can more easily have a bowel movement.

How To Use –  Boil a cup of water. Add a teaspoon of green tea or a bag of green tea. You may add honey for a sweet taste. Do not add too much honey as it kills the purpose of having green tea. 

11. Black Tea 

Black tea stimulates digestion and provides constipation relief.

Black tea, green tea, and coffee naturally contain caffeine, a stimulant that speeds up bowel movements in many people. 

How To Use – Pour 8 ounces (240 ml) of boiling water over your tea bag, cover your mug, and steep for 10–15 minutes.

FAQs About Teas That Treat Constipation

For most laxative teas for constipation, the instructions recommend only one cup per day. However, if your constipation persists for more than a few days, you may need a stronger laxative medication.

Teas sold specifically as constipation treatments are intended for short-term use only. Long-term use of these products may have risks. For example, your bowels may become dependent on these products, and you might eventually find it more difficult to have a bowel movement without them.

Only adults should consume laxative teas or herbs because they can cause different results in children. Ask a doctor about the best ways to treat constipation in children. Some OTC laxative medications are available in doses for younger people.

Treating Constipation Is as Simple as Drinking a Cup of Tea

If your constipation is due to a low-fiber diet or not drinking enough fluids, one cup of laxative tea for constipation may be enough to help return your system to normal. 

But, if an underlying medical condition is causing your constipation, herbal tea might not be helpful.