Digestion is a natural bodily function, yet a lot of people are embarrassed to talk about their digestive health. If digestive discomfort is neglected, serious health problems can occur. A 2014 survey indicated that about 74% of Americans were living with digestive problems. Whether the symptoms are bloating, gas, indigestion, abdominal pain, or diarrhea, a person’s way of life can be interrupted by poor digestion.
If healthy digestion is what you seek, it has to start with the food you eat. If you eat unhealthy foods, then your body usually pays for it. Things like processed foods, meats, or dairy products can take up to three times longer than fruits, vegetables, legumes, or nuts & seeds for the body to digest. When you eat food, enzymes in your saliva begin to break down the food you are chewing. Acids and enzymes continue to break the food down when it enters the stomach. The food then enters the small intestine, where the body takes the nutrients it needs and sends the waste to the large intestine for elimination.
Whether you are trying to lose weight, live healthier, or feel less gassy or bloated, improving your digestion is always beneficial. Use these eight herbs to help naturally improve your digestion.
Chamomile
In addition to calming the nervous system, naturally relieving nausea, and soothing heartburn, chamomile is a great herb for relief from gas and bloating. It aids digestion and can help remedy stomach cramps, IBS, and colitis.
Cumin
Cumin, much like coriander, is a great digestive spice that helps cool the digestive system and boost digestive strength. It also helps with the proliferation of good microbes, and it aids with the detoxification of the digestive tract. It has a powerful taste, but makes up for it with powerful properties that can help reduce gas and bloating.
Fennel Seeds
Fennel seeds have been widely used in Ayurvedic medicine for years. They help to boost lymphatic flow, but they also combat bloating and gas in the digestive tract. Not only do fennel seeds strengthen the digestive system, but they also help alleviate cramping, nausea, and gas.
Ginger Root
Ginger helps to stimulate saliva, bile, and gastric juices, which can help stimulate healthy digestion. The easiest way to reap the benefits of ginger is to brew it into a tea. Pour hot water over freshly sliced ginger root. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of raw, organic honey and consume it; you should feel digestive relief shortly after.
Dandelion
Dandelions are abundant in a variety of vitamins and minerals. They have been used to natural remedy various health conditions, and sometimes people use them as a mild laxative, which can be beneficial for those with constipation.
Slippery Elm
Slippery elm, which is obtained from the inner bark of the red elm tree, may be helpful in remedying irritated tissues in the digestive tract. You can obtain slippery elm powder and make it into a tea. Take 1 teaspoon of the powder, 1 teaspoon of raw honey, and put them in 2 cups of boiling water. You can add cinnamon for added flavor if you like. Drink this concoction once or twice a day.
Orange/Lemon Peels
Both orange and lemon peels help increase the natural secretion of digestive juices. This can help your body break down food more efficiently and can contribute to better waste elimination. Additionally, the peels also improve digestion and can help relieve gas.
Peppermint
Peppermint is an excellent herb for those with IBS because it calms digestive spasms and can relieve gas. Additionally, it helps to relieve stomach pain, especially if you consume it after eating a meal.
