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Simple Herbs: The Indigestion Cure
An upset stomach might seem like a small complaint in the grand scheme of health problems, but it can really affect your quality of life. In other words, it’s a total bummer. Luckily there are some very easy, quick and completely drug-free ways to get relief. Herbs to the rescue!
Indigestion, also known as upset stomach or dyspepsia, is a painful or burning feeling in the upper abdomen, often, often accompanied by nausea, abdominal bloating, belching, and sometimes vomiting.
Indigestion might be caused by a disease, but for most people it results from eating too much, eating too quickly, eating high-fat foods, or eating during stressful situations.
The traditional simple, or tea made from a single fresh remedy, is best for correcting indigestion. Use an herb that has a taste and aroma you like. Ideally, choose a plant you can easily cultivate, thus providing a steady supply of fresh leaves.
Indigestion Simple
Chamomile, lemon balm, or peppermint
Make an infusion and drink a cup either just before or after meals; experiment to see which time produces the best effect.
Using the indigestion tea (above) and tincture formula (below) in conjunction will provide:
- Anti-inflammatories (chamomile, lemon balm, peppermint)
- Bitters to promote digestive secretions (chamomile, gentian)
- Carminatives to reduce localized inflammation and muscular spasm (chamomile, lemon balm, peppermint
- Nervines to help ease stress, anxiety, and tension (chamomile, valerian)
Combination Indigestion Tincture
Chamomile tincture
Gentian tincture
Peppermint tincturev
Valerian tincture
Combine equal parts of the tinctures, up to ½ teaspoon (2.5ml) total, and take 10 minutes before each meal.
Caution
Persistent indigestion calls for skilled medical diagnosis. Therapies from chiropractic adjustment to rolfing to psychological counseling often help. Diet is fundamental.
Because indigestion can be a sign of, or mimic, a more serious disease, consult a doctor if you experience:
- Vomiting, weight loss, or appetite loss.
- Black, tarry stools or bloody vomit.
- Severe pain in the upper right abdomen.
- Discomfort unrelated to eating.
- Shortness of breath, sweating, or pain radiating to the jaw, neck, or one of the arms.
Adapted from Healthy Digestion, by David Hoffman, B.Sc., F.N.I.M.H. (Storey Books, 2000).
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15 comments
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Kabin
Konteyner
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If indigestion is a symptom of Acid Reflux, Oesophagitis or Hiatus Hernia do not use Peppermint as a cure as it will only make symptoms worse. If you have any of these 3 illnesses, cut peppermint out of your diet as it causes the symptoms. Peppermint is a very strong herb and should only be used with great care. It can be useful for a one-off bout of indigestion, but should not be used for extended periods. Valerian is very calming to the nerves, but can be toxic in large doses and even in small doses to certain individuals causing vomiting (I'm hyper-sensitive to it). Herbs are really beneficial at healing but are very potent and should be used with discretion and ideally following advice from a qualified medical herbalist.
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Oh, I love ginger and always keep a jar of crystallized type around for eating before or during travel, or chopping and pouring boiling water over the chopped ginger for an instant warming tea (rinse excess sugar off first though). It's handy when you don't have fresh root around.
Agreed: fennel seed is also a yummy tea and naturally sweet. It's very easy to grow and in our garden (even when grown in a large container) attracts hundreds of tiger swallowtail caterpillars who keep the foliage trimmed and result in plentiful summer flutterbys.
Caraway seed is also very pleasant...Chewing on a few fennel or caraway seeds can settle some tummies, and leave breath fresh after a meal, too! :)
I LOVE the herbal worlds, and see you all do too. Happy Gardening to all who can indulge in herbalism "up close and personal".
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I agree with ginger as an excellent (and soothing) cure for an upset stomach (it is also one of the few cures recommended to pregnant women for morning sickness). In our household, fresh ginger grated into hot water and allowed to steep (sweetened with honey) is excellent during the winter. Capsules--not gel-caps--quickly dissipate stomach acidity. For the car there's crystalised ginger candy.
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Fenugreek is an excellent herb for the digestion! It makes you hungry too.
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Hi,
Great article, thanks! I would like to add something: fennel. It's a lovely and soothing tea. I just get fennel seeds in bulk at my grocery store. I lightly crush them then pour boiling water over them. I let them steep as long as possible. I've even left them in the water for a few hours, then poured the tisane over ice for my son when he had a bad stomach virus. He loves it. It has a natural sweetness to it that adds to the drinkability! Try it and enjoy.
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SURAIYA
Maybe you can order the seeds on-line if you can't find them at a store, plant them & watch them grow. A good soil mixture helps,
but they are pretty hardy plants. You can plant in a sunny window box, pots or the ground if you have a space for an herb garden.
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I absolutely love being able to use any natural means to cure an ailment. I much rather use some natural remedy than western medicine.
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My apology for accidently having 4 comments - not sure how this happens. My computer glitz. May you delete the 3 comments. thanks..
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Ginger is a part of my daily intake. There are ginger products made in Indonesia that taste very good - ginger hard & chewable candies, instant ginger tea. I tried otherginger tea from other country, it creates a mud in the bottom of my mug. The best one is from Indonesia. I found it in the nearby Asian store (actually thisone is Korean). It soothes sore throat too inaddition to an upset stomach. Good luck.
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