When you have difficulty digesting food, a multitude of problems can occur. A pain in the stomach or intestines is the least dangerous part of digestion issues, but it could be a signal from your body that something is going wrong. However, there are a number of ways to improve digestion, and help you to feel better quickly.
Many of these herbs are readily available. As times change I often find that I can buy an herb at Walmart or the grocery store that I needed a specialty store for 10 years back! Thankfully brands like Traditional Medicinals bring dozens of herb teas to all but the smallest grocery stores.
Of course, I always prefer the grow your own method. Even though many of these herbs can be grown indoors, it's not always possible...and teas make it easy to stock up for when digestive problems hit!
Herbs that help with digestion
Dandelion
This surprising little plant is widely considered a garden nuisance by many people, but science has revealed that it is rich in vitamins and minerals such as A, B, C, potassium and zinc. In ancient times, it was used for a variety of digestive ailments. It is still used for intestinal gas, upset stomach and constipation. Ingesting dandelions can be as simple as adding the young leaves to your salad. You'll want to avoid the longer leaves as these will be slightly bitter. Dandelion root tea is a popular remedy for bloating.
Chamomile
Known for thousands of years as a calming and soothing herb, chamomile is often used as a tea to calm and soothe the digestive tract. It can help soothe an upset stomach, and also ease heartburn, nausea and vomiting. Chamomile is easy to grow but tea is readily available in any grocery store and is fairly inexpensive.
Cumin
The use of cumin for digestive issues dates back to approximately 5000 years ago as a popular spice in Egypt and the Mediterranean. Cumin has historically been used as a respiratory anti-inflammatory, and as a powerful aid to digestion. Cumin helps to speed up digestion by increasing the activity of digestive enzymes. It also increases the release of bile from the liver. Bile helps digest fats and certain nutrients in your gut. Cumin tea is available online if you can't find it in stores.
Ginger
This Southeast Asian herb has been used medicinally for thousands of years. It is used for many different stomach issues. Ginger is an antiemetic meaning it helps with vomiting and nausea. Also reduces gas and intestinal spasms and supports the digestive system. Sliced fresh ginger can be added to a piping hot mug of water and allowed to steep for about 5 minutes before drinking.
Related reading: The many Health Benefits of Ginger
Turmeric
This is one of my favorite home remedies! Turmeric is a spice that contains a chemical called circumin which is has anti inflammatory properties. Tumeric and circumin may also protect against types of colitis, stomach ulcers, and help treat upset stomach. Turmeric is used for heartburn, different types of stomach pain,diarrhea, intestinal gas, and stomach bloating. Turmeric is often taken as a capsule, but Trader Joes has an a-mazing Ginger Turmeric tea and it's only a few $$.
Coriander
Did you know that coriander is the seeds of the herb cilantro? It gets confusing because in some other parts of the world they use the name interchangeably but here in north America we refer to them separately...most of the time. I've occasionally seen it referred to as coriander leaf when referring to the plant grown from Coriander seed. Anyway, Coriander is used for digestion problems including upset stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, bowel spasms, and intestinal gas.
I don't usually see it in stores, but I do order Coriander seed tea online.
MintFor centuries people have turned to mint to soothe an upset stomach. Even peppermint candy is known to help, though I find I get the best relief from a nice cup of mint tea. There are more than 600 different varieties of mint...so you're bound to find one that you like! Mint is a soothing herb that can help settle an upset stomach while helping to increase bile flow which speeds up digestion. Peppermint will help with gas and bloating.
Mint is almost too easy to grow or you can buy premade tea online or in stores.
Licorice root
Not to be confused with anise oil which smells and tastes like licorice! Real licorice is know to help relieve stomach ulcers, heartburn, colic and inflammation of the lining of the stomach. Licorice root is from the plant Glycyrrhiza glabra and is native to Asia and Europe. The first use of licorice root was by early Egyptians who used it as a tea.
Parsley
While many people think of parsley as just a plate garnish, it's actually an antioxidant. Parsley improves digestion especially when eaten with meals or drank as a tea shortly after. That's probably how it ended up as a dinner garnish. It improves bowel movements. Parsley can be used for both constipation and diarrhea. Parsley seeds are good for indigestion and intestinal gas. Parsley comes in capsules or tea bags.
If you have fresh parsley you can steep your own tea! Just drop a few sprigs of parsley into a piping hot mug of water and allow to steep for 5 minutes before drinking.
Related reading: 13 Reasons why Parsley is the Healthiest Food in Your Kitchen.
Catnip
It's not just for cats! Catnip has been used medicinally for generations, often brewed into a tea and used for a multitude of ailments including flatulence, stomach cramps and diarrhea. It is a natural antacid but don't worry...even though it does have relaxing properties that extend to humans, don't' worry it won't make you roll on the floor like the cats!
I grow and use my own catnip for tea, though you can buy some online and in health food stores if you'd rather not grow your own. If you already have some growing for the cats, just pinch off a few springs and follow the directions for fresh parsley tea above!
Fennel
This marvelous plant is extremely rich in iron, calcium, magnesium and manganese. Fennel, is classed as a carminative herb that aids in digestion, by increasing digestive efficiency. Another helpful side effect of this herb is that it reduces gas and bloating. This fennel tea is great for stomach ailments.
Here's a cumin, coriander and fennel tea that's quite tasty.
Hopefully you won't need to use them, but if you get frequent digestive issues you might want to keep some of these herbal remedies on hand!
Want more posts on herbal health? Click here for my other posts on Using Herbs for Natural Healthcare!
~L
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I am not a doctor or other health care professional nor do I claim to be. I am not trained in any medical field. I am simply passing on information that has worked for me. This information is for entertainment purposes only and is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition. see a Dr if you are ill. Click for my full disclaimer.
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