Fennel has a long traditional use for digestive complaints, including bloating and mild indigestion, and while direct research on fennel specifically for reflux is limited, its gentle, non-acidic, caffeine-free profile makes it a lower-risk tea option than many alternatives.
How it's typically prepared
Crushed fennel seeds steeped in hot water for five to ten minutes, strained before drinking. Some people prefer a milder version by using fewer seeds or steeping for less time, since fennel has a distinct anise-like flavor that isn't for everyone.
Why it's often paired with chamomile
Fennel and chamomile together is a common combination — chamomile for its calming reputation, fennel for its traditional digestive use — and the two flavors balance each other reasonably well. Neither contains caffeine or mint, which rules out two of the more common reasons a "soothing" tea backfires for reflux.
A reasonable expectation
Like most home remedies on this list, fennel tea is a low-risk, modest-benefit option best used as part of a broader routine (after-dinner habit, replacing a more acidic or caffeinated drink) rather than relied on as a standalone fix for active symptoms.
