When you feel bloated, sluggish, tired or heavy regularly, it’s your digestive system letting you know that it’s feeling overburdened and could use a little help. Aside from eating a diet rich in vitamins, minerals, high-quality protein, and healthy fats, taking certain herbs can also help improve your digestion and alleviate your symptoms.
When you begin to improve your digestive function, you’ll notice your skin glow, your energy levels skyrocket and your mood improves. Here are five herbs for better digestion that can be taken in the form of herbal teas, capsules or tinctures. As always, be sure to check in with a qualified healthcare practitioner before making any changes to your diet or supplement regime.
The following herbs do have the potential to interact with certain medications.
5 Herbs for Better Digestion
1. Triphala
Triphala is an herbal blend that’s been used widely in Ayurveda for thousands of years to help promote healthier digestion and eliminate gas, bloating and constipation. Triphala is often taken during cleansing and detoxification protocols, as it helps clean out the GI tract and act as a mild laxative and promote healthy bowel movements. Triphala can be taken in capsule or powder form.
2. Dandelion Root
Who knew that a solution to impaired gut health could be found on your front lawn? Dandelion root is a herb favored by the gallbladder for its bitterness and efficiency to help promote bile flow. Without sufficient bile flow, your body is unable to properly digest fats and absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, which are crucial to your health and wellbeing. Feeling bloated all the time may be a sign of insufficient bile flow. Try steeping dandelion root tea with ginger and lemon and drinking one glass each day on an empty stomach. Be sure to rotate dandelion tea with another digestive promoting tea such as Pukka’s Detox Tea or Three Ginger Tea, as dandelion tea can act as a mild diuretic and may stress the kidneys.
3. Fennel Seed
The seeds and oil of fennel have been used medicinally for thousands of years to help relieve heartburn, bloating and gas. In many cultures, it’s not uncommon to chew on fennel seeds after a heavy meal to help with digestion. The seeds are most common for aiding digestive distress, which may be even more powerful for detoxification when blended with other synergistic herbs, as suggested with the popular Ayurvedic digestive tea C.C.F. Tea (A blend of cumin, coriander, and fennel).
4. Ginger
Ginger is famous for relieving nausea. If you’ve ever gone boating with relatives, there’s always someone who has ginger capsules in their pockets! Aside from helping with nausea, ginger is a powerful natural remedy for relieving other digestive symptoms such as gas, bloating and stomach cramps. Fresh or dried ginger are both effective, especially when consumed twenty minutes prior to a meal. You could also sip on ginger tea during a meal to help improve your digestion while you eat.
5. Stinging Nettle
Stinging nettle is a liver supportive herb that has also said to be useful for celiac disease and allergies, a symptom related to the health of the intestinal tract. Nettle is also taken by those who suffer from parasites, acne, and eczema and promotes the elimination of metabolic waste. To say that nettle is a superfood would be an understatement. Sipping on organic nettle leaf tea throughout the day will promote gentle cleansing and detoxification, as well as reduce your digestive symptoms. Herbs are often underrated for their efficacy, especially being such a cost-effective option to help relieve digestive pain. Drinking herbal teas each day can make a positive difference in your health and allow you to feel energized, vibrant and glowing with health. Browse our selection and save on of Traditional Medicinal and Pukka Herbal Teas.