Are you over-indulging this holiday season? Then give your digestive system some support with any of these 10 herbs. There are many herbs that aid digestion; but these are my favorites, and I always have them on hand.
Cardamom is a dry, light, and warming herb that stimulates the appetite, helps expel gas, and encourages healthy digestion. It can also help reduce nausea.
Cinnamon is a hot, light, sweet herb that helps rekindle digestion, expel gas, and reduce nausea.
Clove is a hot, sweet, pungent herb that promotes digestive secretions, stimulates the appetite and healthy digestion, and expels gas.
Fennel is a cold, light, and sweet herb that simulates blood flow to the stomach helping to improve digestive agni (fire). It can also help expel gas and settle a nauseous or nervous stomach.
Fenugreek is a dry, hot herb that promotes healthy digestion and expels gas. It can reduce the secretion of gastric acid, so it may help with acid reflux.
Ginger root is a hot herb that stimulates the production of saliva, stimulates the appetite, encourages healthy digestion, and reduces nausea. Dried ginger is hotter than the fresh root.
Licorice root is a cold, sweet, demulcent that can inhibit stomach acid, so it’s a great antacid. It also helps expel gas.
Marshmallow root is a cold, sweet, and gooey herb, so it coats and soothes the digestive tract, making it a great antacid. It's also a wound healer, so may help with ulcers.
Peppermint is a light, dry and cooling herb that helps disperse heat, so it can help with indigestion and acid reflux. It also expels gas, cleanses the appetite, encourages healthy digestion, and settles nausea or a nervous stomach.
Rosemary is a hot, astringent, bitter herb that encourages healthy digestion, and can settle nausea or a nervous stomach.
Some of these herbs can be blended with food, such as cinnamon, clove and cardamom in your oatmeal; and any of them can be made into a tea. Add a tablespoon of the dried herb to a mug, pour in boiling water, cover the mug, and let it sit for 15 minutes to infuse. Strain the liquid and drink.
Resources:
https://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/herbal-action/digestive
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