Digestion Remedies

Africans chew kola nuts before mealtime to improve

digestion. A beverage is also made by boiling the

powdered seeds in water. Kola nuts are high in

caffeine, and so stimulate the appetite.

Angelica oil is commonly used to relieve gas and colic

in infants and heartburn in adults. One way to use

angelica oil is to boil it in water and use the

resulting syrup. In Lapland they mix angelica oil with

reindeer milk.

For centuries, the Greeks have eaten anise seeds for

indigestion, heartburn, and other similar stomach

ailments. Anise seeds can also be used for flatulence

and for colic in babies.

The South African tribes commonly use buchu leaves as

a tonic for stomach upset. A tea is made by steeping 1

tbsp of the leaves in 1 cup of boiled water for 30

minutes. The regular dosage is 3 or 4 tbsps, 3 to 4

times a day. The essential oil contained in the leaves

is antiseptic and diuretic.

In France, agrimony (Agrimoni eupatoria) is used as a

general tonic for the digestive tract. The plant was

named after Mithridates Eupator, King of Pontus, a

famous herbalist. Agrimony is also used to heal peptic

ulcers and control colitis. The bitter components in

the plant regulate the liver and gall bladder as well.

To make a tea, infuse 5 grams of dried leaves and

flowers in 1/4 lier of boiling water for 20 minutes.

Use a little honey for flavoring.

Blackberry (high in vitamin C and minerals) is used as

a cure for digestive problems. It is also used as a

general tonic. To make a tea, extract 2 cupfuls of

pounded fresh leaf in 1 liter of boiling water. Allow

it too cool and then strain. Two cups a day, sweetened

with honey, is the recommended dose.

The French use chamomile tea as a digestive aid. My

mom always makes chamomile tea when any of the kids

have an upset stomach.

Here's a simple cure for stomachache. Dissolve 4 grams

of ground cinnamon in a cup of warm water, cover it

for 15 minutes, and drink it like tea. This remedy can

also ease diarrhea and flatulence.

The Italians prevent gas with fennel seeds. Both

fennel seeds and the root are soothing to the

digestion. The water from boiled fennel seeds is often

given to babies in Italy as a remedy for colic.

In India, flour is made from green plantains, which

look like bananas, but are very starchy. The flour is

made into "chappatis" (flat handmade bread) and used

to relieve flatulence. A common Indian morning tonic

is made by mixing 2 tbsps of lemon juice with 2 tbsps

of honey and an ounce of water.

The fresh tender tips of young horsetail plants are

often used in a tonic salad. The horsetail is a good

source of minerals such as manganese, potassium,

sulphur, and magnesium.

Licorice is an effective remedy for many symptoms

related to indigestion. It heals stomach ulcers by

speading a gel over the stomach wall. It decreases

stomach spasms and lowers stomach acid, which

decreases heartburn.

The Romans ate raw shoots of the marsh mallow plant to

help digestive problems. This plant is high in

mucilage, which soothes inflammation and ulceration of

the stomach and small intestine. It is a natural

indigestion preventive.

A Chinese remedy for an upset stomach calls for 1

glass of milk mixed with a half glass of fresh chive

juice and 3 tsps of fresh ginger juice. This

concoction is heated before drinking.

Mustard and whole mustard seeds sharpen the appitite

and stimulate the secretion of digestive juices in the

small intestine, speeding up the digestive process.

Mustard also stimulates gastric mucous membrane and

pancreatic secretions. The stomach is emptied faster,

and the production of excess acid is reduced.

West Indians prevent stomach trouble with "mandram",

a blend of cayenne pepper, hinly sliced, cucumbers,

shallots, chives or onions, lemon or lime juice, and

madeira wine. Cayenne pepper aids digestion by

stimulating the production of saliva and gastric

juices.

In France, elecampane root (wild sunflower) is used as

an infusion for mild gastric disorders and general

stomach upsets. The infusion is made by adding 50

grams of dried crushed root to 1 liter of water that

is then boiled for about 10 minutes. The liquid is

cooled and strained. One capful per day is the dose.

In Southern France, people gather the young flowers of

carline thistle and eat them in much the same way as

most folks eat artichokes. A soothing infusion can be

made by steeping 30 grams of the root in 1 liter of

boiling water for 10 minutes. Bring the water to a

boil again for 10 more minutes. Allow the liquid to

cool, then strain. Drink a wineglass of this brew

before meals.

Thyme has been used often for flatulence and digestive

upsets. It has antibiotic properties. One tbsp of

dried thyme added to a cup of very hot (but not quite

boiling) water, makes a good calming drink with a

pleasant flavor. Add a tsp of honey for flavor.

White bread is much more difficult for your stomach to

digest. Switching from white to whole wheat bread will

make a big difference to your stomach.

Arrowroot, once used as an antidote for arrow poison,

and now used as an ingredient in baked goods, also

provides a rich source of natural calcium and

carbohydrates, and is also excellent for soothing the

stomach. Sometimes the powder from this plant is

dissolved in a beverage to treat nausea, vomiting, or

bowel troubles.

The Chinese used ginger to treat motion sickness and

nausea. Ginger ale was first created by people who had

been using ginger tea to treat upset stomachs. You can

make ginger tea by mixing a half teaspoon of dried

ginger in a cup of tea. Or you can take ginger in the

form of gelatin capsules.

The Mandingo tribe of the Pakao region of Sengal uses

an extract of the fara tree to treat stomach upset.

This remedy has been around for a long time and has

endured through several changes in the Mandingo

lifestyle. The fara tree is considered sacred among

members of the tribe.

Peppermint, which is useful for treating indigestion,

provides a volatile oil that the British use as both a

flavoring agent and a medicine. Peppermint is an

antispasmodic. It regulates the flow of bile to aid

digestion. The oil can be added to tea to alleviate

nausea.

King Solomon's herbalist ground 3 small cinnamon

sticks or one 6 inch stick of cinnamon bark with 1

tablespoon (about 8 seeds) of cardamon seed. He

probably used a mortar and pestle, but you can use a

nut grinder, coffee grinder, or blender. Place the

mixture in a labled jar, and use 1/4 teaspoon in one

cup of hot tea for relief of nausea.

Comfrey leaves have been used to treat nearly every digestive complaint. Comfrey tea is especially effective against gastric ulcers (the kind that occur in the stomach) and gallstones.

The milk thistle (also called holy thistle or St. Mary's thistle) can stimulate regeneration of liver cells. It also protects the cells from toxic injury, and is good for the gallbladder. The suggested dose is to take 2 capsules, 2 or 3 times a day.

Carrot tea made from the root (fresh or powdered) of Queen Anne's Lace (also called wild carrot) is said to be good for digestion, diarrhea and kidneys. Contains Vitamin A.

It's been said that liquid calcium/magnesium will relieve acid stomach, and heartburn (ginger in capsule form may do the same).

Fresh, unsweetened apple cider is a healthy beverage and a pleasant way to decrease stomach acidity. Apples are one of the richest sources of potassium.

Effective at getting rid of fat, drink up to 3 cups of green tea daily. Regular tea can also be used with a lesser effect.

A simple cure for a stomachache is to dissolve 4 grams of ground cinnamon in 1 cup of warm water, cover it for 15 minutes, and drink it like tea. This remedy can also ease diarrhea and flatulence.

Sucking a piece of ice controls vomiting. Eat 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin seeds. Cinnamon and sliced ginger work by interrupting nausea signals sent from the stomach to the brain. If you are a herbal tea drinker, simply sprinkle cinnamon on the tea and drink. To make ginger tea, simmer a few slices of ginger in hot tea water.

Drink peppermint tea, or an infusion of half peppermint and half rosemary. An infusion of equal parts peppermint, chamomile and lemon balm is also useful. Make a tea of anise, caraway and peppermint.

Mandrake works with the liver, gallbladder and all aspects of digestion. It exerts a powerful influence on the glands.

Pippali fruit is a pepper which has been used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine to address digestive disorders and obesity.

Yerba santa helps the body expel mucus from the respiratory tract. It is known as a blood purifier and strengthener of the digestive system.

The noni plant has many folk-remedy uses. It is fabled among the Polynesian peoples to especially help support the body's respiratory, immune, digestive, and structural systems.

Gentian Root nourishes and strengthens the digestive system. It stimulates the appetite, nutritionally supports the liver, and nourishes the spleen, pancreas, stomach and kidneys.

Peppermint calms the stomach, intestinal tract, and the nervous system. It comforts the stomach and nourishes the salivary glands to help with digestion. It has astringent properties and soothes the nervous system. .

Wild yam has many effective uses. It is known to relax the muscles and promote glandular balance in women. Wild Yam contains natural plant components known as phytochemicals which help the body balance hormone levels. Wild Yam nourishes the digestive system and the nerves.

Fiber not only helps maintain healthy digestion, it also may help keep your blood vessels from narrowing.

Increasing fiber intake from cereal and whole grains appeared to slow blood vessel narrowing in a recent study. Narrowing blood vessels are commonly seen in people who have atherosclerosis, a progressive condition that can lead to heart attack or stroke. Add fiber-filled foods to your diet gradually to reduce the risk of bloating and stomach upset

Stomach Ache: A tea of mint, strawberry leaf, catnip and blackberry with one tablespoon of brandy should ease the stomach. An alternative is brown rice which is pulverized and allowed to stand in warm water for 15 minutes. To this add a dash of sugar, nutmeg and an uqual quantity of boiled mulk is added then drunk. An elixir said to ease sour stomachs is made from two pints of brandy, a half teaspoon of clove, two teaspoons cinnamon, and a pound of blackcurrant. Soak all together for two weeks and aff sugar to taste. Take by the teaspoon after meals.

In an authentic Chinese meal, the last course is soup

because it allows the roast duck entree to "swim" toward digestion.

INDIGESTION: An aid to normalize digestion is COMFREY and PEPSIN. For vegetarians, a combination of COMFREY, CAYENNE and PAPAIN is also effective.

Lemons as a therapeutic usage helps anti-inflammatory action. It helps the body cleanse itself by promoting perspiration and acting as a natural diuretic. Lemons also stimulate the appetite, aids digestion, strengthens body defense system, relieves cramps and also dilates the

blood vessels in the skin.

PAPAYA LEAVES: Basically recommended because of it's high Vitamin A content. The fruit of the plant is an aid to digestion. It supplies the raw enzyme papain useful in the digestion of proteins.

Acid Indigestion: Warm a cup of milk and steep four or

five eucalyptus leaves in it. Drink this to ease discomfort