Look After Your Digestion with These Healing Plants
The digestive process allows your body to obtain nutrients from foods. Later, it eliminates the waste that you don’t need. In fact, it’s probably more important than you think that it functions properly. That’s because, among other things, it influences your metabolism, hormonal activity, and emotions.
The problem is that you often don’t always look after your digestion. In fact, you tend to make bad food choices which slows down your digestive system and accumulates toxins.
This triggers inflammatory reactions in your body like flatulence, constipation, and other digestive issues that reduce your quality of life.
Fortunately, there are some natural remedies available that can help promote proper gastrointestinal function.
In this article, we’re going to talk about six healing plants that are good complementary treatments to help you look after your digestion.
1. Lemon balm
Lemon balm is a plant with anti-inflammatory, digestive, and carminative (reduces flatulence) properties. It helps to improve your digestion, especially when you’ve eaten too much or have eaten foods that are irritating to your stomach.
Its organic compounds helps reduce stomach cramps, flatulence, and other symptoms of slow digestion.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of lemon balm (5g).
- 1 cup of water (100 ml).
Method
- Boil a cup of water, add the lemon balm and cover.
- Let it stand for 10 minutes, then strain.
How to drink it
- Drink a cup of this tea after each meal.
- Drink it when you have digestive problems related to stress.
You also might like to read: Chamomile and Other Remedies that Improve Digestion
2. Mint
Mint leaves contain essential oils, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds. These help boost the digestive process.
Using mint in a tea is a traditional, natural remedy for flatulence, constipation, and heartburn.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of mint leaves (10 g).
- 1 cup of water (100 ml).
Method
- Heat a cup of water. When it starts boiling, take it off of the heat and add the mint leaves.
- Cover the tea and let it stand at room temperature for 10 minutes.
How to drink it
- Drink the tea when you’re experiencing digestive problems.
- As a preventative measure, drink it before large meals. You can drink it up to two times per day.
3. Ginger
Ginger has long been used in natural medicine as a supplement to fight gastrointestinal infections and constipation.
Its active ingredient is gingerol. This helps to reduce abdominal inflammation and fights flatulence.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of water (100 ml).
- ½ teaspoon of fresh ginger (5 g).
- 2½ tablespoons of honey (25 g).
Method
- Bring a cup of water to a boil and add the fresh ginger.
- Cover the tea and let it stand for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Strain it and sweeten with honey.
How to drink it
- Drink a cup of this tea after every meal.
4. Marshmallow
Natural marshmallow tea is an old digestive remedy that reduces inflammation, heartburn, and upset stomachs.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of water (100 ml).
- ½ tablespoon of marshmallow (5 g).
- ½ tablespoon of chamomile flowers (5 g).
Method
- Add the plants to the water and boil for 5 minutes.
- Cover the tea and let it stand for 10 more minutes.
How to drink it
- Drink 2 or 3 cups of this tea per day when you have digestive problems.
5. Meadowsweet
Meadowsweet is a digestive aid, especially for flatulence, heartburn, and peptic ulcers. Its calming and anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce abdominal pain, acid reflux, and flatulence.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of water (100 ml).
- 1 teaspoon of meadowsweet (5 g).
Method
- Put the water on to boil.
- When it starts boiling, add the meadowsweet and turn the heat down.
- Let it simmer for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- Let it stand for 10 minutes then strain it
How to drink it
- Drink a cup of meadowsweet tea in the morning, on an empty stomach. If you want to, drink again in the middle of the afternoon.
You might also be interested in: Poor Digestion and Emotional Problems
6. Lemon verbena
Lemon verbena is a healing plant with anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties due to the content of linalool. It’s recommended for relieving abdominal pain, flatulence, and boosting slow digestion.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of lemon verbena (5 g).
- 1 cup of water (100 ml).
Method
- Add the lemon verbena to a cup of boiling water. Let it stand for 10 minutes.
- Strain the tea and drink it.
How to drink it
- Drink 2 or 3 cups of lemon verbena tea per day.
Look after your digestion
These natural drinks can help relieve the discomfort caused by cases of mild indigestion. However, if the problem worsens, you should see a doctor.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Falen, J. (1995). Necesidades nutricionales. Revista Peruana de Ginecología y Obstetricia. https://doi.org/10.31403/RPGO.V41I1758
- Perez, I. (2012). El uso de las plantas medicinales. Revista Intercultural.
- Huamantupa, I., Cuba, M., Urrunaga, R., Paz, E., Ananya, N., Callalli, M., … Coasaca, H. (2011). Riqueza, uso y origen de plantas medicinales expendidas en los mercados de la ciudad del Cusco. Revista Peruana de Biologia. https://doi.org/10.15381/rpb.v18i3.439
