Herbs for Digestion
When your digestive fire is functioning at its best, you’ll experience higher and supported energy levels, immunity or ojas (oh-ja-as), toxin elimination or ama removal, mental clarity, mood and so much more. That’s why it’s vital to live a balanced life, enjoy a balanced diet, drink a ton of water, move your body and utilize herbs as a part of your daily wellness routine. My hope is for you to find a deeper connection to Mama Earth. My herbalism teacher said that most western medicines are made from the constituents of plants, meaning, the earth provides everything we need. Use her. Enjoy her.
Herbs + spices can help support your agni (ah-ga-knee) or digestion and nutrient absorption, while helping the gut break down food. These herbs + spices can help bring ease, comfort, and relief to your digestive system and as a result: your entire life!
Storing Herbs
Light, heat, moisture, and exposure to air deteriorate dried botanicals. Store your dried herbs in airtight, light-shielding, dry containers that will keep out insects and rodents. Canning jars or clean recycled jars with tight fitting lids work best. Coffee cans, paper or plastic bags may be appropriate containers as well depending on the herb. Store in a dark, cool place.
Buying Herbs
Good herb has color, aroma, and flavor. Varieties of herbs as they are growing and co-mingling in the garden or in the wilds naturally show a diverse array of colors and shades of green. They will continue to show a similar diversity of color when properly harvested, dried and displayed in jars. Settle for nothing less than the best when it comes to herbs.
Recommended Herbal Vendors
Mountain Rose Herbs
Banyon Botanicals
Starwest Botanicals
Pacific Botanicals
Local *be sure to check out any spots local to you
Digestive Herbs
Ginger: helps to increase movement through the digestive tract, speeding up the emptying of the stomach, which can be beneficial for people with indigestion and related stomach discomfort.
Turmeric: antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric can contribute to healthy digestion. It's used in ayurvedic medicine as a digestive healing agent. Now Western medicine has begun to study how turmeric can help with gut inflammation and gut permeability, two measures of your digestive efficiency.
Cinnamon: prebiotic properties that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and help suppress the growth of pathogenic bacteria, helping to improve gut health and digestion.
Peppermint: Relieves digestive symptoms, such as gas, bloating and indigestion. Animal studies indicate that peppermint relaxes your digestive system and may ease pain. It also prevents smooth muscles from contracting, which could relieve spasms in your gut.
Fennel: stimulates the secretion of digestive juices and enzymes which facilitate the digestive process. The strong antispasmodic and carminative effects of fennel seeds help in treating flatulence, heartburn, bloating and conditions like IBS and GERD.
Chamomile: effective for promoting better digestion by reducing the risk of certain gastrointestinal conditions. The bitter compounds in the plant stimulate the production of digestive enzymes that break down food in the digestive tract.
Kombucha: packed with antioxidants and probiotics, or live bacteria, that boost the health of intestinal cells, improve immune function and aid in food digestion.
Ginger Turmeric Honey
Ginger Root
Turmeric Root
Local Honey
Cut roots into thin slices and place in a 4oz mason jar. Cover with honey. Place in sunlight for 2-4wks to infuse.
After infusion, enjoy with Digestive Tea Blend before bed.
Digestive Tea Blend
1 tsp fennel seeds
1 tsp chamomile
1 tsp peppermint leaves
8oz boiling water
Ginger Turmeric Honey to taste
Combine herbs, pour boiling water over. Cover and steep for 10mins. Strain tea, sweeten with honey.
