Herbs for digestion are essential if eating hard-to-digest or fatty foods.
These digestion herbs are also very beneficial for your overall health and wellbeing, as optimal digestion of foods is critical to good health.
If you’re wondering how to improve digestion for better health, we will talk about the many very effective herbs to help you do just that.
Peppermint
Peppermint can enhance digestion by decreasing bloating, gas, cramping, and nausea. It is an antispasmodic that helps to calm the muscles in the digestive system and promotes the healthy flow of digestive juices and bile. It also aids efficient digestion by helping release any internal gas or pressure through burping.
Peppermint is widely available and is one of the most refreshing of the herbs for digestion. It can be consumed in teas, mint candies, and herbal digestion supplement form.
Ginger
Ginger is an herb that’s been used for a long time for motion sickness and nausea. Ginger has calming, soothing properties that aid digestion and relieve intestinal spasms and
pain.
Ginger is an effective herb for promoting healthy digestion. It can be used in cooking by using the fresh root or powder. Ginger is also a popular herb tea and is found in many digestive supplements.
Aloe Vera For Digestion
Aloe vera and digestion go hand in hand. When taken internally, the fibrous gel has been well known to benefit digestion. It is very effective in treating conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, and stomach ulcers.
Aloe vera works to cleanse the colon and detoxify the blood. It is well known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties and its ability to balance stomach acids and improve the absorption of nutrients.
Fennel
Fennel is a very effective herb for digestion. Typically the seeds of fennel herb are used. Fennel is beneficial for any digestive difficulty and can also help in weight loss
by getting rid of toxins and excess water.
Fennel is a very gentle and calming herb that has been known to be safe even for infants and those with sensitive systems. It is
used by drinking tea, taking capsules, or even chewing the seeds.
Chamomile
Chamomile is well known as one of the best herbs for digestion and calming of the nervous system. It is a pleasant tasting tea and is also used in many herbal digestion supplements along with other herbs.
Parsley
Not only does parsley help freshen breath after a meal, it is also an excellent aid to enhance digestion and relieve gas. Parsley also acts as a diuretic, which helps when dealing with water retention. Can be eaten fresh or in capsule form, usually with other digestive herbs.
Meadowsweet
Meadowsweet is an herb that supports efficient digestion by helping to balance stomach acids and digestive secretions. It is a well-known, effective herb for treating inflammatory bowel conditions as well as promoting overall digestive health.
Slippery Elm
Slippery elm is widely known among herbal remedies for improving digestive tract health. The bark is used, which is rich in various trace minerals as well as soothing mucilage (gel-like substance). This mucilage coats the intestinal lining and soothes inflammation and discomfort.
Slippery elm is particularly beneficial in cases of inflammation such as with colitis, inflammatory bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, or diverticulosis. Used in tea, lozenges, and capsules.
Burdock
Burdock is a detoxifying herb that helps support digestive health by relieving gas, bloating, and promoting healthy bowel function.
Agrimony
An ancient herb long used as a digestive tonic, agrimony is another of the effective herbs for digestion. It is well known for promoting normal bowel function, firming stools (in the case of diarrhea), and toning the digestive tract.
How To Improve Digestion – Other Ways
In addition to the above herbs, incorporating the following practices daily will also help you to improve digestion and overall health.
- Eat plenty of fiber daily, including whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
- Drink water equal to half your body weight in ounces daily (for example, if 150 pounds, drink 75 ounces)
- Get plenty of exercise, at least 20 minutes three times weekly.
- Chew your foods thoroughly and eat slowly.
