Comforting herbs and plants

Medicinal plants are a soothing and effective way to relieve digestive disorders. They can be used internally as infusions, decoctions and tinctures or externally with essential oils.

+ Herbal remedies traditionally have been a very effective treatment for many ailments since prehistoric times, before humans developed modern medicine. These remedies in many cases are also edible herbs and foods. Over time and throughout cultures, we have incorporated many herbs as common spices in cooking, as with ginger, laurel and dill. The use of herbs in culinary arts is not coincidental. Other than adding flavor and aroma, they also help you to digest better and to avoid gastrointestinal problems. The following list includes medicinal herbs that are great for cooking but also for relieving many digestive ailments. Many of the herbs are well known for their uses and easy to find.

Aloe

(Aloe vera)

1. • Parts used. The fleshy and spiney leaves are used. The tissue in the center of the aloe leaf contains a gel, which yields aloe gel or aloe vera gel. A bitter liquid can be extracted from the leaves’ surface layer.

1. • This plant is native to East and South Africa. In tropical weather it grows wild, but it can be grown domestically in pots without any trouble. It is said that Cleopatra used aloe as a secret beautifying remedy.
2. • The plant's liquid is a potential laxative that stimulates digestion. The gel can be used for peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome and to stimulate bile secretion.

Blessed Thistle

(Carduus benedictus)

1. • Parts used. The leaves and flower heads.
2. • This spiney plant grows wild in dry, rocky and arid earth, and has been used widely for centuries. During the Middle Ages it was said that blessed thistle could cure the plague, hence its holy name. It helps to soothe wounds and sores.
3. • The bitterness of one of the plant's compounds, cnicin, stimulates digestive activity, including the secretion of gastric juices and bile. For upset stomach take blessed thistle as a tincture, mixed with water.
4. • Warning. If ingested in excessive quantities, it can cause vomiting.

Dandelion

(Taraxacum officinale)

1. • Parts used. The entire plant is used. The leaves (the name comes from its rough toothed leaves) are diuretic and contain a high level of potassium. It has a similar flavor to radishes, and can be eaten raw in salads. When dried it is used as health remedy. The roots are dried or cooked to make a tincture that detoxifies the liver, stimulates the secretion of bile and acts as a gentle laxative.
2. • Dandelion seeds float in the air and in fertile ground the plant grows like a weed. Arab doctors have used the plant for its medicinal effects since the 6th century.

Dill

(Anethum graveolens)

1. • Parts used. The seeds and leaves. They are used as a spice in cooking, in infusions and to make essential oil.
2. • This plant has a number of properties and was used in ancient Egypt. It grows wild in dry arid soil.
3. • It is a popular remedy for digestive problems, it helps to relieve gas and regulate digestion. The essential oil soothes spasms and irritable intestines.
4. • Nursing mothers can use dill to promote the flow of milk and to prevent colic in babies.

Fennel

(Foeniculum vulgare)

1. • Parts used. The bulb is edible; the leaves and seeds are used in infusions and essential oils.
2. • Native to the Mediterranean, fennel is widely used in traditional Mediterranean cooking.
3. • Fennel helps to soothe the lining of the digestive tract. The seeds relieve gas and stomach aches; they also act as a diuretic and anti- inflammatory agent. In infusions, fennel is a tried and tested remedy for relieving bloating and stomach pains. It is an ideal remedy for colic and for teething children, given in infusions or syrups.
4. • Warning. The seeds can be toxic if taken in excessive doses.

PREPARATION FOR BABIES

For colic, indigestion, irritable bowels and to stimulate appetite

Boil 1 teaspoon of crushed seeds in a small amount of milk for 5 minutes. Cool and strain; drink at a tepid temperature.

GINGER SOLUTION

1. • For nausea. It's recommended to drink a cup of ginger tea 3 times a day.
2. • To regulate digestion. Drink 30 drops of tincture diluted in a glass of water, 2 times a day.

ESSENTIAL OILS FROM A TO Z

GERANIUM

Adding geranium to baths, compresses, massages or inhalation tones the kidneys and liver, producing a detoxifying effect. It also helps to clean digestive mucous. The aromatic flowers and leaves exuberate the air and have euphoric properties, which can be complemented with bergamot oil. Geranium oil added to a hot bath can leave you relaxed and when added to a tepid bath, revitalizes you.

JUNIPER

It can clean mucous in the intestines and relieve hemorrhoids.

Safety. Do not use this oil during pregnancy because it can induce labor.

PREVENTING DISORDERS WITH BAY LAUREL

Anti-ulcer infusion

Drinking bay leaf tea can help to prevent ulcers. Prepare a tea by adding several leaves to a cup with boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes, strain and drink 2 cups daily.

ESSENTIAL OILS FROM A TO Z

LEMON

Improves digestion and helps relieve constipation. Regulates acids in the body, soothing ulcers and reducing stomach acid. For its fresh and penetrating aroma, add to baths, inhalations and massages, especially when blended with camomile and sandalwood.

Safety. If used on the skin, it's recommended in low concentrated doses and not to expose your skin to direct sun because it increases photo-sensibility.

LEMON BALM

This oil with its penetrating aroma, similar to lemon, regulates the digestive system, relieves indigestion and nausea. It can be combined with other oils, because it is an expensive oil and difficult to find. If you are suffering from digestive problems, stress or need a pick-me-up, nothing is better than adding this oil to a bath or inhalation along with ginger or basil.

Safety. It is not good to use during pregnancy.

BATH FOR CHILDREN

For colic or irritability

For children who suffer from colic or if they are cranky or tired, add 1 cup of camomile infusion to a warm bath, 1 cup for every 2 cups of water.

CURING TINCTURE

For irritable bowel syndrome

Take 1 teaspoon of chamomile tincture diluted in #fr1/2> cup of water 3 times a day. Keep in mind that tinctures shouldn't be administered to small children.

MINT TEA TO TAKE AWAY AILMENTS

1. • Bile problems. Drink an infusion prepared with 2 teaspoons of mint added to 1 cup of boiling water. Let steep for 10 minutes, strain and drink after meals. You can also dilute 40 drops of mint tincture in 1 glass of water and drink after meals.
2. • Nausea and vomiting. Drinking a cup of the same infusion 3 times a day can help to soothe symptoms. If you can't keep down liquids, drink 1 spoonful every 5 minutes.
3. • Digestive, antispasmodic, to fight gas, irritable intestines and halitosis. Drink 1 cup of infusion or 40 drops of tincture diluted in 1 glass of water after meals.

ESSENTIAL OILS FROM A TO Z

LIME

Breathing in the aroma or massaging with the oil can improve digestion, soothe an acid stomach and cure nausea. English sailors in the 16th century took limes on board to prevent scurvyc, a disease caused by lack of vitamin C, that causes fatigue and hemorrhaging. Added to baths and inhaled, it can be blended with angelica and bergamot.

MARJORAM

Relieves stomach pains, detoxifies the body and helps in cases of nausea. As its name suggests, it is one of the most relaxing and sedative oils that can help to calm you down when suffering from digestive ailments. It's ideal to use in baths or massages. Mix with rosemary or ylang ylang.

Safety. Excessive use can make you lethargic.

NUTMEG INFUSION

For preventing vomiting and diarrhea

Prepare a tea with a pinch of ground nutmeg in 1 cup of hot water.

HELATHY COOKING

To aid digestion

Use ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg daily as a spice in cooking.

ESSENTIAL OILS FROM A TO Z

NEROLI

This botanical oil is a sedative and acts on the digestive system to relieve spasms. It can be used to treat colon disorders, diarrhea and dyspepsia. It mixes well with bergamot and jasmine, making a relaxing therapy.

TANGERINE

It has gentle de-purifying effects on the intestines and tones the digestive system and gastric functions. Its essential oil can be used to calm indigestion in children by using them in massages over the area of the bile duct. It is not toxic or irritating. It can be blended with bergamot and lemon oil, as a stimulating citric mix.

A SAVING RECIPE

For indigestion

Drink ½ teaspoon of sage tincture diluted in water twice daily.

A CLASSIC TEA

For colic and inflamed intestines

Make a tea using 3 or 4 sage leaves for every cup of boiling water, allow to steep for 10 minutes and strain. You should drink 3 or 4 cups a day. For children and elderly make a lighter tea using fewer leaves or more water.

PSYLLIUM SEED INFUSION

For constipation

Pour boiling water in 1 cup with 2 teaspoons of psyllium seeds, allow to cool and strain. Drink the liquid. You can also take a teaspoon of whole seeds at night.

ESSENTIAL OILS FROM A TO Z

YARROW

A strong oil that relieves stomach aches is extracted from yarrow. It stimulates the secretion of gastric juices, improving digestion and increasing the amount of nutrients absorbed. It can be added to baths, inhalations and massages for cases of diarrhea, flatulence, pain in the bile duct or gastrointestinal colic. Mixing with angelica and rosemary, yarrow's curative properties become stronger.

YLANG YLANG

It is an intestinal antiseptic which controls stomach ailments. When added to a gentle massage or vapors it can help to relieve mild food poisoning. Blend with sandalwood, rose or neroli.

Safety. This oil should not be used in excess because it can cause occasional nausea.