Tea drinking, a habit that people have been practicing for thousands of years, serves numerous functions. Whether you enjoy tea drinking as a time for quiet introspection, as a casual social pastime or as a high art, conventional and herbal teas offer numerous health benefits in addition to their social and cultural uses. Some teas are particularly soothing and healing for the digestive system.

Green Tea
Antioxidant compounds, known as catechins, in green tea may inhibit H. pylori, a bacteria that causes stomach ulcers, according to a study published in the November 2011 issue of the "Journal of Medicinal Food." Results of the test tube study showed that green tea steeped for 5 minutes inhibited H. pylori, while 2 minutes of steeping time was not sufficient to inhibit the bacteria. Researchers also noted that green tea did not disturb beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract. Results of the study imply that green tea may offer a safe and cost-effective way to prevent and treat H. pylori infection.

Kombucha
A form of fermented black tea known as kombucha may support the health of your liver, an important digestive organ that produces bile, which contributes to digestion by breaking down fats in preparation for further action of digestive enzymes. A laboratory animal study published in the July 2011 issue of the "Indian Journal of Experimental Biology" found that kombucha protected liver cells from damaging effects of certain toxins. Kombucha, which contains antioxidant molecules not found in regular black tea, was more effective than regular black tea at preserving healthy liver function, in this study. Animal studies have found kombucha to be non-toxic, according to New York University's Langone Medical Center. However, some reports of side effects of kombucha consumption such as nausea, jaundice and headache indicate possible contamination due to improper methods of preparation.

Chai
Chai tea, a traditional Indian method of preparing tea with spices and milk, offers healing benefits for digestion that are greater than any one ingredient by itself, according to Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. Chai tea may contain black, green or oolong tea, along with cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamom, black pepper, anise and fennel. A study published in the March 2012 issue of the "International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition" listed ginger, anise and fennel as being among the most important traditional functional foods -- foods that offer health benefits beyond their essential nutrient content -- with properties that improve digestion.

Peppermint
Peppermint tea acts quickly and can ease the discomfort of indigestion, nausea and fullness, notes nutritionist Phyllis Balch, author of the book "Prescription for Herbal Healing." It may also relax muscles in the intestinal tract and alleviate some symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, according to New York University's Langone Medical Center. In a study published in the May 2010 issue of the journal "Digestive Diseases and Sciences," a commercial preparation of peppermint oil significantly improved abdominal pain in volunteers with irritable bowel syndrome. Participants took the peppermint extract three times per day for eight weeks. Researchers noted that peppermint oil was well-tolerated and safe.