Bloating Tea

A traditional digestive tea combining four seeds known to reduce gas and bloating. All four — cumin, coriander, fennel, and carom — have established use in Ayurvedic medicine for digestive relief, and fennel and cumin have scientific support for reducing intestinal spasm and gas.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
• 1 tsp coriander seeds (dhaniya)
• 1 tsp fennel seeds (saunf)
• 1 tsp carom seeds (ajwain)
• 2 cups water

Method

Brew

1. Add all seeds and water to a small saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Strain through a fine sieve into a cup.
4. Drink warm. Avoid sweetening — the seeds' compounds work better without sugar.

Notes

• Drink after meals for digestive relief, or when experiencing bloating.
• Carom seeds (ajwain) are the most potent ingredient here — they contain thymol, which has a strong antispasmodic effect.
• For persistent bloating, 2 cups daily (after lunch and dinner) is traditional.
• The tea will smell strongly of ajwain — this is normal.