Focus
on Herbs: Digestive Aids
by
Lynne Latella
During
the holidays, overeating or eating overly rich foods can disturb the
digestive
system and make the liver work harder to process these overindulgences.
January
is a good time to re-balance the system and support the digestive
system, which
has worked so hard the previous month. Fortunately, there are many
natural
remedies that can soothe, stimulate and repair damage in the intestinal
tract.
The Coop carries these remedies in various forms, so check with a
helpful
expert in the herbal section to find the right formula, be it a
compound, tea
or bulk product.
Artichoke
– Stimulates digestion and calms an upset stomach.
Bitter
Orange – Relieves stomach pain and indigestion.
Camomile
–
Soothes an upset stomach and relieves heartburn and indigestion.
Cumin –
Assists with gas and bloating.
Dandelion
– Excellent liver and digestive
tonic.
Fennel –
Eliminates gas and indigestion.
Fenugreek
–
Soothes gastrointestinal spasms and pain.
Ginger –
Aids digestion and
relieves nausea.
Juniper –
Soothes an upset stomach.
Lemon
Balm –
Helps alleviate gas.
Peppermint
– A traditional remedy that helps
digestion.
Slippery
Elm Bark – Relieves heartburn and heals the digestive
tract.
Camomile
Tea
Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 TBS of fresh or 2
tsp dried chamomile flowers. Steep 5–10 minutes; strain and serve with
honey,
if desired.
Ginger
Tea
Steep 1½ tsp fresh ginger or ½ tsp dried ginger
in 1 quart hot water and boil for 5 minutes. Drink hot.
Fennel
Tea
Boil 1 tsp of fennel seeds in 2 cups boiling water for 5 minutes. Drink
warm.
Cumin
Tea
Boil 1 tsp cumin seeds in 2 cups boiling water for 5 minutes.
Drink warm,
especially after the main meal.
Soothing
Tea
Mix an equal amount of
lemon balm, peppermint and fennel seeds. Use 1 tsp of the mixture per 1
cup of
boiling water. Steep up to 10 minutes and strain.
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