For people with IBD, a good herbal tea is a staple. Some teas may help soothe gastrointestinal distress. When relegated to a liquid diet, tea can add some much-needed variety from the gelatin and broths. My top picks for herbal teas were based mainly on flavor and aroma, but I also considered packaging, flavor variety and availability. I hope you enjoy my herbal tea picks as much as I enjoyed doing the research!
1. Bigelow Teas
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Bigelow has about 20 varieties of herbal teas in every flavor, from chamomile to "taste of the tropics." The strong flavor and aroma they deliver makes them my favorite. Individual packets help to keep the tea fresh and from spreading the scent to other teas in my cabinet. Two sampler packs are also available for trying new flavors.
2. Lipton Soothing Moments
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Lipton is one of the most well-known teas, claiming to be "America's favorite tea." I grew up on the "Brisk" tea and naturally turned to them first for herbal tea flavors. Lipton teas deliver strong flavor and have about 10 varieties and one sampler package.
3. Stash Tea
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With 16 flavors, Stash offers many choices for herbal tea, but their flavors are not as robust as my first two choices. Stash offers their teas loose or in bags, with the choice of foil, paper or cello wrapping. If you buy at the supermarket, you're likely to find the foil-wrapped variety, which keeps the flavor strong.
4. Twinings Tea
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Twinings has been making their famous teas for almost three centuries and are more well-known for their "classic" teas than their herbals. An English company, Twinings tea is made in England and North America and is available all over the world. There are only a few herbal blends, but they have decent flavor and brew up well.
5. Celestial Seasonings
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With 75 varieties available worldwide, there is a Celestial Seasonings flavor for everyone. Samplers are a great way to try new flavors without commitment. I find these teas, however, weak and lacking in flavor. While I prefer loose teas, tea bags are convenient at times, and Celestial Seasonings tea bags do not have a string attached. I find it annoying, though, to dig the bag out of my cup before drinking.
