What is the best tea to drink during chemotherapy?

October 30, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the National Cancer Institute, nausea affects up to 24% of chemotherapy patients. Many patients turn to warm beverages for comfort, leading to the question: What is the best tea to drink during chemotherapy? Gentle herbal teas like ginger, chamomile, and peppermint offer soothing properties, while staying properly hydrated is crucial for managing treatment side effects.

Quick Summary

Different herbal teas can offer specific benefits for managing common chemotherapy side effects, such as nausea, dehydration, and mouth sores. Ginger tea is known for its anti-nausea properties, while peppermint and chamomile teas can help soothe stomach muscles and promote relaxation. Staying well-hydrated is a key strategy for managing overall well-being during treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional before incorporating new supplements or herbal remedies into your regimen.

Key Points

Combat Nausea with Ginger: Ginger tea is widely recognized for its anti-nausea properties, helping to calm the stomach during chemotherapy.
Soothe with Peppermint: Peppermint tea helps relax stomach muscles and can be effective in reducing nausea and indigestion.
Relax with Chamomile: The calming effects of chamomile tea can help reduce anxiety and improve sleep, both common challenges during treatment.
Enhance Hydration: Teas are an excellent way to stay hydrated, a critical factor for mitigating many chemotherapy side effects.
Exercise Caution with Green Tea: While antioxidant-rich, decaffeinated green tea should be consumed in moderation and after consulting a doctor, as high-dose extracts can interact with certain chemo drugs.
Avoid Specific Herbs: Some herbal teas and supplements, including St. John's Wort and ginseng, can negatively interfere with chemotherapy and should be avoided.
Consult Your Care Team: Always talk to your oncologist or dietitian before adding any herbal teas or supplements to your diet to ensure they are safe for your specific treatment.

Navigating Tea Choices During Chemotherapy

Undergoing chemotherapy involves navigating a complex landscape of physical and emotional side effects. While prescribed medications are the primary line of defense, supportive care—including dietary choices—can significantly enhance a patient's quality of life. For many, a warm cup of tea offers immense comfort. However, not all teas are created equal, and some may even interfere with treatment. Understanding the benefits of specific teas for managing symptoms like nausea, dry mouth, and fatigue is an important step toward incorporating safe, soothing, and hydrating options.

Soothing Teas for Common Side Effects

Ginger Tea for Nausea and Digestive Upset

One of the most well-researched herbal remedies for nausea is ginger. Patients undergoing chemotherapy often experience significant relief from chemo-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) with ginger consumption. Gingerol, the active compound in ginger, aids gastrointestinal motility and encourages efficient digestion. A simple way to prepare ginger tea is by steeping fresh ginger slices in hot water. You can add a squeeze of lemon or a touch of honey if tolerated. It's best to start with small amounts to assess your tolerance.

Peppermint Tea to Calm the Stomach

Peppermint tea is another excellent option for soothing an upset stomach and relaxing the digestive muscles. For some patients, the strong scent and flavor of peppermint can be particularly helpful in combating persistent feelings of nausea. Sucking on peppermint candy or sniffing peppermint essential oils can also help. A cup of warm peppermint tea can be a gentle way to hydrate while easing stomach discomfort.

Chamomile Tea for Relaxation and Mouth Sores

Known for its calming properties, chamomile tea can be beneficial for managing anxiety and promoting better sleep, both of which are often disrupted during chemotherapy. Beyond its calming effects, chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties that have shown promise in reducing mouth sores, or oral mucositis, when used as a mouth rinse. A mild chamomile tea can be a gentle and comforting beverage, especially before bed. For mouth sores, consult your care team about using it as a rinse.

Citrus and Fruit-Infused Teas

Chemotherapy can cause significant taste changes, making plain water or other beverages unappealing. Lemon tea, or a tea with a twist of fresh lemon, can be very refreshing. Its zesty aroma and flavor can help reduce nausea symptoms and provide a pleasant taste sensation. Fruit-infused teas, like those with berry or apple flavors, can also be good alternatives to plain water. Consider making a large batch of iced tea with fresh fruit to sip on throughout the day.

Considerations for Green Tea

Green tea is celebrated for its antioxidant content, particularly catechins like EGCG, which some studies have linked to potential anti-cancer effects. However, caution is warranted. High doses of EGCG, often found in concentrated extracts, can interfere with certain chemotherapy drugs, such as bortezomib and sunitinib. For this reason, many oncologists advise against taking green tea supplements during active treatment. A moderate, daily intake of decaffeinated green tea is generally considered safe but should always be discussed with your healthcare team first. Opting for decaffeinated versions avoids the stimulating effects of caffeine, which can disrupt sleep patterns already impacted by treatment.

The Crucial Role of Hydration

Staying hydrated is one of the most important aspects of managing chemotherapy side effects. Dehydration can worsen symptoms like fatigue, nausea, and headaches, and can even lead to serious complications. If plain water tastes metallic or unpleasant, incorporating teas is a great way to meet your fluid goals. Other options include broths, diluted juices, and water infused with fruits or vegetables.

Teas and Herbs to Avoid During Chemotherapy

Some herbal products are known to interact negatively with chemotherapy drugs or increase the risk of complications. Always consult your oncology team before trying any new herbal supplement or tea, especially if you plan to consume it in large quantities or as a concentrated extract. Herbs that have been shown to affect drug metabolism or increase bleeding risk include:

St. John's Wort: Known for potential serious interactions with chemotherapy agents.
Ginseng: Can potentially interfere with certain drugs.
Ginkgo Biloba: May increase the risk of bleeding.
Echinacea: Can affect drug metabolism.
High-dose turmeric or garlic supplements: Can also affect drug metabolism.

Comparison of Chemo-Friendly Teas


Tea Type	Primary Benefit for Chemo Patients	How It Helps	Side Effect Target	Considerations
Ginger Tea	Fights nausea and vomiting	Calms the digestive system and encourages stomach emptying	Nausea, vomiting	Best with fresh ginger; start with small amounts
Peppermint Tea	Relieves digestive issues	Relaxes stomach muscles to ease nausea and spasms	Nausea, upset stomach	Can use fresh mint leaves; useful for soothing stomach
Chamomile Tea	Promotes relaxation and sleep	Has gentle, calming properties that ease anxiety	Anxiety, sleep disturbances, mouth sores	Can be used as a mouth rinse for sores
Lemon Tea	Counters altered taste	The refreshing citrus flavor helps mask metallic tastes	Taste changes, nausea	Can be made with fresh lemon and tolerated water
Decaf Green Tea	Provides antioxidants	Boosts overall wellness with beneficial compounds	Antioxidant support	Choose decaffeinated; avoid high-dose supplements; consult doctor

The Importance of Consultation

While teas can be a comforting addition to a chemotherapy regimen, they are not a replacement for medical treatment or standard anti-nausea medications. Your oncology team, including a registered dietitian, can help you navigate these choices and determine your specific hydration and nutritional needs during treatment. As some herbs can interact with drugs or have unintended side effects, it is imperative to discuss any new teas or herbal supplements with your doctor to ensure they are safe and appropriate for your individual treatment plan.

Conclusion

For many patients, finding a soothing beverage is a small but meaningful step toward comfort during chemotherapy. While there is no single "best" tea for everyone, ginger, peppermint, and chamomile are often recommended for their gentle properties and effectiveness in managing common side effects like nausea and anxiety. Decaffeinated green tea can offer antioxidant benefits with less risk of interaction. Crucially, staying well-hydrated is paramount, and tea can play a big role in achieving this goal. Always prioritize communication with your healthcare team to ensure any dietary choices complement your treatment plan safely. Embracing a holistic approach to nutrition, with informed tea selections, can help support your body and mind throughout the journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ginger tea is one of the most effective and well-regarded teas for managing chemotherapy-induced nausea due to its active compounds that promote digestion and calm the stomach.

Decaffeinated green tea in moderate amounts is generally safe, but you should always consult your oncologist first. High-dose green tea extracts and supplements should be avoided, as they can interfere with certain chemotherapy drugs.

Yes, peppermint tea is generally safe and often recommended for its ability to relax stomach muscles and alleviate nausea and vomiting, common side effects of chemo.

Yes, some studies suggest that chamomile, used as a mouth rinse, can help reduce oral mucositis (mouth sores) and inflammation caused by chemotherapy.

You should avoid teas and supplements containing herbs known to interact with chemo drugs, such as St. John's Wort, ginseng, ginkgo biloba, and high-dose garlic.

If plain tea or water tastes strange, try adding fresh lemon, ginger, or other fruits to infuse flavor. Alternatively, try iced tea or make a flavorful broth to sip.

Hydration is extremely important during chemotherapy to help the body flush out toxins, reduce fatigue, and manage side effects like headaches, nausea, and constipation.