Here Are Five Detox Teas That Will Help You After An Indulgent Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is behind us, but all the leftovers remain in the fridge. This holiday weekend was all about indulging in the best way and boy did we deserve it, but maybe now it’s time to give your digestion a rest.

Photo Credit: COULEUR/ILANAF, Pixabay.

If you’re anything like us, you might be feeling some guilt and anxiety about all the over-eating and although we didn’t imbibe, maybe you did over-drink (no judgement!). But fret not, we’ve got your back with five teas to help you to un-wine after an indulgent Thanksgiving meal.

We spoke to two tea experts — Katie Cyr, who is a Certified Tea Sommelier and Owner of Monarch Tea Co., and Hoda Paripoush, Founder and Creative Director of Sloane Fine Tea Merchants — to learn about which teas pair best with the indulgence of this holiday season. Many of the teas on this list contain impressive anti-inflammatories and antioxidants  — with properties that help to fight free radicals. Free radicals cause oxidative damage to the body, and are triggered in the body by alcohol consumption, which also causes constipation. This means that these teas are a must in your after-holiday self-care routine. 

Get your kettle ready — here are the top five teas to help you detox and relax after a hearty meal. 

Ginger

(Joris Neyt/Pexels)

Ginger is the most common condiment the world over. Not only a delicious addition in recipes, ginger has been used throughout history to treat everything from the common cold and nausea, to migraines, arthritis and hypertension. When it comes to detoxifying and anti-inflammatory work, ginger is a superstar. One study states that ginger is effective at not only alleviating muscle pain after intense workouts and improving cardiovascular disorders, but also works to improve gastrointestinal health. Some of its added perks are its anticancer properties: the root has various ingredients that help to prevent some kinds of cancers.   

Paripoush recommends a nice ginger tea (check out Sloane Tea’s Ginger Twist) after heavy meals. “[Ginger teas are] pleasing, they’re something that's not offensive,” Paripoush says. “[Ginger] doesn't taste medicinal at all.” After a big meal this weekend, steep some ginger tea and find your gastrointestinal discomfort slowly ease away. Delicious and science-backed, ginger is a must for your holiday pantry! 

Turmeric

The West is slowly coming to realize turmeric’s amazing powers, and it’s about time! A superfood that is more than a vibrant spice, turmeric is an effective nutritional supplement: it contains an active ingredient called carcumin, which has tremendous anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects (carcumin is perfect at neutralizing free radicals, and has the potential to stimulate other antioxidants). Because carcumin is fat soluble, meaning it is easily broken down with fats such as oil and butter, it’s best to take turmeric with high-fat meals, making it another perfect mainstay in your holiday cupboard.   

To experience turmeric’s benefits, try it in tea form — Paripoush recommends a tea that combines ginger and turmeric, such as Sloane’s Ginger Turmeric. “Ginger and turmeric combined are both anti-inflammatory and immune stimulants,” she says. “So those are really great for detoxifying because they reduce the inflammation in your body that different foods that you might eat [may cause].”

Peppermint and Mint 

Peppermint tea’s soothing scent and calming feel as you drink it make it a great tea for after those meals that require you to unzip your pants. Peppermint makes for a refreshing herbal tea and is caffeine free, meaning that it’s great as an additional indulgence after an indulgent dinner. “Calming & cooling, peppermint is my go-to for an after dinner sip,” Cyr says. “It can be helpful for nausea and upset stomach, so a great tisane to turn to when one has overindulged with either alcohol or eating.” Science backs Cyr’s recommendation: peppermint has been shown to relieve digestive upsets such as gas, bloating, and indigestion, making it a great tea to consume after wine and dinner, working especially well for people with irritable bowel syndrome.

Paripoush recommends mint to restaurants because it does wonders after a rich meal. She says that not only does mint facilitate digestion, it also eases the occasional nausea that follows a meal that is rich in fat. “Sometimes when we get full, we get nauseous,” Paripoush says. “If we overeat, we feel unsettled, and what mint does is that it helps settle that sensation and cut through the fat and just help aid with digestion.”

Check out Monarch Tea Co.’s Chocolate Mint here.

Check out Sloane Tea’s Marrakesh Mint here. 

Rooibos

(Eva Elijas/Pexels)

This delicious caffeine-free tea is super rich in antioxidants. According to some studies, rooibos tea can work in the liver to improve its antioxidant status, meaning this earthy tea is a great choice after a glass of wine with dinner, especially if you have a sweet tooth. “Rooibos is from a South African red bush and is a great caffeine free option that's chock full of magnesium, iron & other vitamins,” Cyr says. “It can be beneficial for soothing cramps and I find it a wonderful after-dinner addition.” 

Check out Monarch Tea Co.’s rooibos collection here. 

Check out Sloane Tea’s Vanilla Bean Rooibos here. 

Lemongrass

Another tea that is great at fighting free radicals and thereby reducing inflammation is lemongrass tea, which is calming and great at helping you feel less anxious, making it a unique tea to sip on if you feel guilty for overindulging and drinking. You can lessen anxiety by taking a long, relaxing sniff of sweet lemongrass between sips. “A cup of lemongrass herbal tisane can be beneficial in helping gas, stomach cramping and bloating,” Cyr says. “One can even get creative and blend their own herbs together to create a peppermint, lemongrass, and chamomile infusion that will feel wonderful after a big meal.” 

Check out Monarch Tea Co.’s Tea Lover’s Gift Set, which includes Lemon Ginger tea and its notes of lemongrass and rooibos. Additionally, Sloane Tea’s Ginger Twist is the best of both tea worlds, it marries calming lemongrass with ginger root, citrus, and licorice.  

Honourable mention: Pu’erh

Pu’erh gets honourable mention on this list because this tea, steeped in vibrant and sage Chinese tradition, has the potential of boosting liver health and improving cholesterol. “Pu'erh is the only classification of tea that is fermented using a centuries-old practice during the tea processing,” Cyr says. “Pu'erh was traditionally enjoyed in China after larger or fattier meals with food such as duck or dim sum. Pu'erh naturally contains probiotics, so it's wonderful to help with digestion and gut health. I have found it helpful in the past to soothe a hangover!”

So how about a cuppa? Make sure to tag us on Instagram (@rethinkingdrinking) with your tea-drinking companion — we’re nosy!