Best Tea for Acid Reflux & Heartburn:  Herbal Tea Options and What to Consider

If you enjoy tea but experience occasional acid reflux or heartburn, you may wonder which teas are worth considering and which ones may not fit comfortably into your routine.

There isn't one specific tea that has been established as the best choice for everyone with acid reflux. Individual preferences and sensitivities vary, and a beverage that feels comfortable for one person may not be the right choice for someone else.

For people looking for a caffeine-free herbal option, ingredients such as ginger, chamomile, fennel, slippery elm, marshmallow root, and licorice root can be found in a variety of traditional herbal preparations.

In this guide, we'll look at different types of tea, ingredients to consider, and simple ways to enjoy herbal tea as part of your daily routine.

A note about acid reflux: This article is for general educational purposes and isn't intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. If you regularly experience acid reflux or have persistent or severe symptoms, speak with a qualified healthcare professional.

Can Tea Be Part of a Routine for Acid Reflux?

Tea can be a simple and enjoyable part of a daily routine. However, not every tea is the same.

Black tea, green tea, and other traditional teas naturally contain caffeine, while many herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free. Some people prefer caffeine-free herbal blends, particularly if caffeinated beverages don't fit comfortably into their routine.

Individual preferences also matter. If a particular tea consistently makes you uncomfortable, it may simply not be the right tea for you.

The goal isn't to find a magical tea or a single beverage that works for everyone. It's to find an option that you enjoy and that fits comfortably into your routine.

What Is the Best Tea for Acid Reflux?

There isn't one tea that has been established as the best choice for everyone with acid reflux.

When choosing an herbal tea, you may want to look for a blend that is:

• Caffeine-free, if you prefer to avoid caffeine

• Free from peppermint or other ingredients you personally find irritating

• Made with familiar herbal ingredients

• Mild and enjoyable enough to drink regularly

• Appropriate for your personal dietary preferences

Several herbs are traditionally used in teas and other herbal preparations. Their inclusion in a tea, however, does not mean that they have been established as treatments for GERD or acid reflux.

1. Ginger Tea

Ginger is one of the most recognizable ingredients in herbal teas.

It has a naturally warm, slightly spicy flavor and pairs well with other herbs such as chamomile and fennel.

Ginger tea can be enjoyed on its own or as part of a more complex herbal blend. If you enjoy the flavor of ginger, it can be an easy addition to a daily tea routine.

Because ginger has a distinct flavor, you may prefer a blend that combines it with milder ingredients.

While ginger has a long history of use in food and herbal preparations, ginger tea has not been established as a treatment for GERD.

2. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is a popular herbal tea known for its mild, floral flavor.

It's naturally caffeine-free and is often enjoyed in the evening. Chamomile can also pair nicely with other herbs, making it a common ingredient in a variety of herbal tea blends.

If you prefer a lighter, softer-tasting tea, chamomile may be an appealing ingredient to look for.

Chamomile has a long history of traditional use, but that does not establish chamomile tea as a treatment for acid reflux or GERD.

3. Fennel Tea

Fennel has a naturally sweet, slightly licorice-like flavor.

Fennel tea has a long history of traditional use as a beverage and is commonly included in herbal blends.

Because of its distinctive flavor, fennel can add sweetness and depth to a blend without relying on added sugar.

If you enjoy its flavor, fennel can be one ingredient to consider when choosing an herbal tea.

4. Slippery Elm

Slippery elm is a traditional botanical ingredient found in some herbal preparations and tea blends.

It has a relatively mild flavor and may be included in multi-herb blends.

If you're shopping for an herbal tea containing slippery elm, check the ingredient label to see what other ingredients are present and how the product is intended to be used.

5. Marshmallow Root

Marshmallow root is another traditional botanical ingredient found in some herbal preparations and tea blends.

Despite its name, marshmallow root isn't related to the marshmallow candy you might find in the grocery store.

It is typically used as an herbal ingredient and can be combined with other botanicals such as chamomile, ginger, and fennel.

6. Licorice Root

Licorice root has a naturally sweet flavor and is used in many traditional herbal preparations.

A small amount can add sweetness and complexity to an herbal tea blend.

However, licorice root isn't appropriate for everyone. Ordinary licorice contains glycyrrhizin, which can cause serious side effects, particularly with larger amounts or prolonged use.

If you're pregnant, have high blood pressure, heart or kidney problems, or take medications, talk with a healthcare professional before using licorice-containing herbal products.

What Teas Should You Avoid With Acid Reflux?

Rather than creating a universal list of "bad" teas, it's more useful to pay attention to your own response to different beverages.

Some people may find that certain drinks don't agree with them, while others can enjoy the same beverages without a problem.

Peppermint and Mint Tea

Mint is a popular ingredient in herbal teas, but it may not be a comfortable choice for everyone who experiences reflux.

If you notice that peppermint or mint tea consistently causes discomfort, consider choosing a non-mint herbal blend instead.

Caffeinated Tea

Black tea, green tea, and some other traditional teas contain caffeine.

If you're sensitive to caffeine or notice that caffeinated beverages don't fit well into your routine, a caffeine-free herbal tea is an alternative worth considering.

There's no need to assume that every person with acid reflux needs to avoid caffeine. Paying attention to your own response can help you identify beverages that may be problematic for you.

Fruit-Based or Tart Tea Blends

Some fruit-based or tart tea blends contain ingredients such as citrus.

If you notice that a particular blend causes discomfort, check the ingredient list and consider trying something with a simpler herbal profile.

Individual responses vary, so an ingredient that bothers one person may not bother another.

What Should You Look For in an Herbal Tea?

When shopping for an herbal tea, don't focus only on the front of the package.

Turn the package around and look at the complete ingredient list.

You might consider:

Caffeine Content

If you prefer to avoid caffeine, look for a tea that is clearly labeled caffeine-free.

Ingredients

Look for ingredients that fit your preferences and that you already know you enjoy.

If you're taking medications, pregnant, or managing a health condition, check whether any of the herbs are appropriate for you before making them part of your routine.

Flavor

A tea doesn't need to taste medicinal to become part of your routine. Look for a combination of herbs that sounds appealing to you.

Preparation

Loose-leaf tea can be a simple way to control the strength of your cup. You can adjust the amount of tea and steeping time according to your taste and the preparation instructions provided with the product.

Coco Tea Co. Herbal Tea Blend

At Coco Tea Co., we created our herbal blend with a combination of traditional botanicals selected for their complementary flavors and place in herbal tea traditions.

Our blend includes:

• Slippery elm

• Marshmallow root

• Chamomile

• Ginger

• Fennel

• Licorice

• Yarrow

• Rosemary

The result is a caffeine-free loose-leaf herbal blend created for people who enjoy a variety of traditional botanicals as part of their daily tea routine.

Rather than relying on a single ingredient, the blend brings several botanicals together in one loose-leaf tea.

Explore Coco Tea Co.'s Herbal Tea Blend

How to Enjoy Herbal Tea

There's no complicated ritual required.

Start with the brewing instructions provided with your tea and adjust the strength according to your taste.

You might enjoy a cup:

• As part of your morning routine

• During an afternoon break

• As part of an evening wind-down

Choose a time of day that fits comfortably into your routine.

If you're experimenting with a new tea, start with a small cup and see how you personally respond.

If you experience nighttime reflux, remember that the timing of meals and drinks can also matter. Following guidance from your healthcare professional can help you determine what works best for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best tea for acid reflux?

There isn't one tea that is best for everyone with acid reflux. Caffeine-free herbal teas may appeal to people who prefer to avoid caffeine, but individual preferences, ingredients, and sensitivities vary.

Is herbal tea better than black tea for acid reflux?

Herbal teas and traditional teas are different. Many herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free, while black and green teas contain caffeine. The best choice depends on your individual preferences and how you respond to different beverages.

Is ginger tea good for acid reflux?

Ginger is a popular ingredient in herbal teas and has a long history of use in food and traditional herbal preparations. If you enjoy its flavor, ginger can be part of an herbal tea blend. However, ginger tea has not been established as a treatment for GERD, and individual responses can vary.

Is chamomile tea good for acid reflux?

Chamomile is a naturally caffeine-free herbal tea with a mild floral flavor. It is commonly enjoyed on its own or in herbal blends. Whether it fits comfortably into your routine is an individual consideration, and chamomile tea should not be considered an established treatment for GERD.

Can tea make acid reflux worse?

It can depend on the individual and the ingredients in the tea. Caffeine, mint, and certain other beverages or ingredients may not be comfortable for everyone. If a particular tea consistently causes discomfort, consider trying a different blend.

Can I drink herbal tea before bed?

Many people enjoy caffeine-free herbal tea as part of an evening routine. If you experience nighttime reflux, however, consider your overall eating and drinking habits and follow any guidance provided by your healthcare professional.

Finding the Right Tea for You

Choosing an herbal tea doesn't have to be complicated.

Start with the ingredients you enjoy, consider whether you want a caffeine-free tea, and pay attention to how different blends fit into your personal routine.

If you're exploring herbal tea as part of your beverage routine, a thoughtfully formulated blend can be a simple and enjoyable place to start.

Explore Coco Tea Co.'s Herbal Tea Blend and discover a caffeine-free loose-leaf herbal blend made with a variety of traditional botanicals.