Gut-Soothing Teas for People With Ulcerative Colitis: 4 Types to Try
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4 Gut-Soothing Teas for People With Ulcerative Colitis

4 Gut-Soothing Teas for People With Ulcerative Colitis
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Updated on June 26, 2025
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4 Gut-Soothing Teas for People With Ulcerative Colitis

These four soothing teas that can help manage ulcerative colitis symptoms.
4 Gut-Soothing Teas for People With Ulcerative Colitis

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Herbal remedies have been used to treat disease across a variety of different cultures for centuries. Turmeric fights inflammation, while ginger has antinausea properties.

Many people with an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) like ulcerative colitis (UC) use herbal teas — as well as traditional teas made from the tea plant, such as green tea — as a way to enhance their overall health and well-being or to address specific concerns or symptoms related to their IBD.

“It depends, of course, on the exact type of tea, but there is research showing that substances present in these teas can be anti-inflammatory, high in antioxidants, or supportive of the immune system,” says Christina Fasulo, RDN, a gastroenterology nutritionist at UCLA Health in Los Angeles who specializes in IBD.

Why Tea May Be Beneficial for Ulcerative Colitis

There are reasons to believe that regularly enjoying a cup of tea may be beneficial, regardless of the specific type of beverage you choose.

“For one thing, tea is always hydrating, and that can help with UC symptoms like diarrhea or short bowel syndrome after surgery,” says Kelly Kennedy, RD, a registered dietitian and former staff nutritionist for Everyday Health. “Another benefit is that tea has a warm, soothing quality, which can help because stress can aggravate symptoms. And that’s true regardless of the type of tea you make.”

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are often related to what’s known as the gut-brain axis, or the communication between your central nervous system and your GI tract, says Fasulo. That means psychological issues like stress can play a role in digestive issues like constipation or digestive upset.

“There is good research showing that some tea blends can be helpful for improving feelings of stress, anxiety, and even depression,” says Fasulo.

 “And a lot of times those things do correlate with GI symptoms.”

4 Gut-Soothing Teas for Ulcerative Colitis

If a nice cup of tea sounds like just the thing to help ease your belly, try one of these soothing options.

Before you introduce any major changes to your diet, including upping your consumption of one of these teas, Kennedy recommends talking to your doctor. “Also, don’t have one cup of green tea and expect to be cured,” she says. “Track what you’re taking and make note of the effects to see what might be working for you.”

1. Turmeric Tea

Turmeric, a relative of ginger, has been used in ayurvedic medicine for millennia to help treat inflammatory diseases.

 According to a research review, curcumin, the main active component of turmeric, may be beneficial for helping maintain remission in UC alongside standard treatments, but more studies are needed to confirm this.

It’s worth noting that most research on curcumin in UC has looked at large, concentrated doses as found in certain supplements rather than the smaller amounts of the substance found in turmeric-based teas, says Fasulo. So while you may find a turmeric-based tea relaxing or soothing, there’s not much evidence that the amount of curcumin it contains will contribute to UC remission.

2. Green Tea

Green tea has been used for medicinal purposes in China and Japan for thousands of years. The tea contains antioxidants, which neutralize free radicals in the body, and it also has anti-inflammatory components, known as polyphenols, that research suggests may help ease symptoms of IBDs like UC.

Kennedy notes that research studies typically involve giving rodents much higher amounts of the anti-inflammatory components in green tea than are found in a typical brewed cup. “It might be worth having a couple of cups rather than just one,” she says, to get some of the benefits that studies have found.

It’s worth noting that the most widely studied polyphenols found in green tea — known as catechins — are also found in black and oolong teas, Fasulo says. While all types of tea from the tea plant contain caffeine (except decaffeinated varieties), Fasulo says that a cup of tea typically contains much less caffeine than a cup of coffee. “If someone’s UC is in remission, usually small doses of caffeine are okay,” she adds.

3. Fennel and Ginger Tea

Fennel is thought to be one of the world’s oldest medicinal herbs. In Southeast Asia, it’s commonly consumed after meals to help promote digestion and freshen breath.

Throughout the world, fennel seed is commonly used for a number of digestive problems, such as bloating and gassiness, notes research, and contains active compounds that may help reduce spasms and cramping, which are common symptoms of UC.

Ginger has also been used since ancient times for various ailments, including gastrointestinal discomfort.

 Nowadays it’s commonly used to help relieve symptoms of nausea and vomiting, according to research.

 Some research suggests ginger may be helpful for IBDs like UC due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer effects, but more studies are needed to confirm this.

4. Slippery Elm Tea

The powdered inner bark of the slippery elm tree has been used in North America to treat conditions ranging from sore throat to skin disorders to digestive problems.

 Some past research suggests slippery elm contains antioxidants that may help relieve inflammation in UC and other inflammatory bowel conditions, but more studies are needed.

While there hasn’t been much scientific research on slippery elm, one study found that a blend of herbs and nutrients — containing slippery elm as well as curcumin and peppermint oil — helped relieve digestive symptoms like indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, and troublesome flatulence when taken for four weeks.

A word of caution: Kennedy says that slippery elm can, at least according to traditional wisdom, cause a miscarriage and should be avoided by anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding. But it’s unclear whether this risk exists when taking slippery elm orally rather than vaginally. Because slippery elm coats the digestive tract, it may slow the absorption of other herbs or drugs. With that in mind, you should take slippery elm at least one hour after any other herbs or medications you are taking.

The Takeaway

  • Drinking herbal teas may help soothe symptoms of ulcerative colitis and improve your overall well-being.
  • Teas like turmeric, green, fennel and ginger, and slippery elm contain properties that may reduce inflammation and digestive distress.
  • With your doctor’s approval, try adding these teas to your daily routine to see if they may benefit your symptoms.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
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Roxana Ehsani, RDN

Roxana Ehsani, RD

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Roxana Ehsani, RD, is a Miami-based licensed dietitian-nutritionist, board-certified specialist in sports dietetics, and media spokesperson, consultant, and content creator for food and nutrition brands. She is an adjunct instructor for sports nutrition at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.

Ehsani appears as a food and nutrition expert for television stations across the nation and in national publications, including Runner's World, Women's Health, Glamour, and more, and is a contributing writer for EatingWell. She has a strong background in sports nutrition and has worked with professional, Olympic, collegiate, and high school teams and individual athletes, whom she sees through her private practice. 

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Ajai Raj is a reporter specializing in medical science, health, and technology. His work has appeared in Popular Science, Scientific American Mind, The Scientist, and the New York Daily News, as well as a number of medical trade journals.
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