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Never
underestimate the power of herbal teas if you are looking for easy ways to cure
indigestion.
Do
you have the following symptoms?
- Abdominal pain.
- Heartburn or acid
indigestion (acid reflux)
- Bloating (full feeling)
- Excessive gas
(belching, burping or flatulence)
- Nausea with or without
vomiting.
- Acidic taste in
the mouth.
- Gurgling,
rumbling, or growling stomach discomfort.
- Constipation or diarrhea.
If
you do, read on to find out how you can cure indigestion easily at home by
yourself.
Indigestion is hard to define because it’s used so
interchangeably with terms like heartburn,
bloating, and general stomach aches. It’s best to know the underlying cause in
order to find the most effective remedies, but for such a vague term that can
be hard.
Some define it as only irritation of the upper lining of the
stomach chamber, often occurring alongside a number of different maladies. So
to tangle the meaning up even more, someone with indigestion could be
experiencing heartburn
as a result.
Here I am referring to it as any discomfort in the stomach
region, but particularly discomfort as it relates to heartburn/acid reflux.
Demulcents
and Mucilage: The Stars of the Show
Demulcent:
A demulcent is an agent that soothes irritation and
inflammation, typically by applying a protective film over mucous membranes.
Examples include glycerin,
honey, and syrup. They also can contain mucilage.
Mucilage:
A water soluble fiber that presents as a thick gummy substance,
and is produced by many plants to store water. Mucilage is extremely
hydrophilic (water loving), and will trap water in its cage like molecular
structure to form a gel. When mixed with water, it will swell many times its
size.
The saccharide (sugar) in it links in such a way that the human
digestive enzyme cannot break it down-which is why is so excellent for helping
with indigestion, upset stomach, heart burn, and other stomach ailments. It can
also aid in digestion in that it will relieve constipation as it can add bulk
to stool. A little bonus, it will also ease a cough, or and coat and soothe a sore throat.
*Do Note*
Mucilage can slow the absorption rate of certain medications due to its protective coating in the digestive system. Try to take them at least an hour apart. Also, the protection that it provides varies, usually lasting up to several hours. This is why 2 or 3 cups a day makes a huge difference.
#1 - More Marshmallow
to Cure Indigestion Please
Marshmallow (althea officianalis), is an herb that has been used
by great empires that have risen and fallen over the last 2,000 years. The
Roman Empire, the Chinese empire, and the Egyptian empire, to name a few, used
it as a source of food and for its medicinal properties.
Both the roots and the leaves contain mucilage which, when
combined with water, make a slick gel of sorts. It’s this gel that is cherished
for its ability to soothe irritated mucous membranes of all sorts. This gel
adheres to the epithelial lining of the stomach, creating a literal coating.
This protective film relieves irritation and inflammation,
protects against further acid damage, and is particularly helpful in
indigestion as it relates to acid reflux or ulcers.
You will need…
-2-3 tablespoons of marshmallow root
-2 cups of water
-Mason jar (at least 16 ounces)
-Raw honey (optional)
-2 cups of water
-Mason jar (at least 16 ounces)
-Raw honey (optional)
Directions
This is a cold infusion, which helps preserve the integrity of
the mucilage. Pour the water in the Mason jar and add your marshmallow root to
it. Screw on the top and give it a gentle shake. Store in the fridge overnight
or for 24 hours, depending on how viscous it is.
The result is usually a pale, slightly foggy viscous liquid.
Strain the tea and press to extract all the extra goodness from the root. Add
honey to taste, and drink up to two cups daily. You can warm it slightly after
it’s infused if you find that more soothing.
#2 - Sip on Slippery
Elm to Cure Indigestion
Slippery elm is also a demulcent with a decent amount of
mucilage. The bark of the tree (typically the inner bark) is chopped or ground
up for use. For making an herbal infusion (aka…tea), use the ground bark. A
cold infusion also works best here, again to get the best out of the mucilage.
However, I’ve also done a hot infusion with very warm or gently
boiled water and still found it to be soothing, especially if I haven’t
prepared a cold infusion ahead of time.
For a cold infusion to cure indigestion you will need…
-1-3 tablespoons of ground slippery elm bark
-1 cup of water
-honey to taste
-A glass mason jar
-1 cup of water
-honey to taste
-A glass mason jar
Directions
Add water and slippery elm to the mason jar, shake, and store in
the fridge up to 24 hours. Strain before drinking.
For a hot infusion to cure indigestion you will need…
-2-5 tablespoons of ground slippery elm bark
-1 cup of boiling water
-Your favorite mug
-Honey to taste
-1 cup of boiling water
-Your favorite mug
-Honey to taste
Directions
Put the slippery elm bark in your favorite mug and cover with
boiling water. Stir and steep, covered, for 5-10 minutes. Add honey to taste.
#3 - Gotta’ Love
Licorice to Cure Indigestion
Last but certainly not least is licorice root, also a demulcent
and keeper of that oh so precious mucilage. And yes, like marshmallow root,
licorice root does not resemble much of its more artificial cousin that we are
used to. But, especially with a bit of honey, it’s a wonderful soothing tea.
It can also be made cold or hot, depending on your
preferences-although again cold infusion may protect the integrity of mucilage
more.
For a cold infusion to cure indigestion you will need…
-1-2 tablespoons of licorice root
-1 cup of water
-honey to taste
-A glass mason jar
-1 cup of water
-honey to taste
-A glass mason jar
Directions
Add water and licorice to the Mason jar, shake lightly, and
store in the fridge up to 24 hours. Strain before drinking.
For a hot infusion to cure indigestion you will need…
-1-2 tablespoons of licorice root
-1 cup of boiling water
-Your favorite mug
-Honey to taste
-1 cup of boiling water
-Your favorite mug
-Honey to taste
Directions
Grab your fav mug and pop in the licorice root. Cover with
boiling water and steep, covered, for 5-8 minutes. Add honey to taste.
An ounce…
…of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Lifestyle changes
usually have to accompany any remedy for indigestion. There is no magical cure.
How fast you eat, what you eat, what medications you’re on, how much you eat,
your weight, and more can all contribute to indigestion and other G.I.
problems.
However, nature has provided us with some awesome ways to bring
us comfort as we go about maintaining our healthy selves! (Mucilage, take a
bow.)
By
Claire Goodall (a bee-obsessed natural-convert from Minnesota) who is a
holistic health lover. She is the author of Everyday Roots Book.
It’s
a Book that she creates to help you replace the toxic products and medications
in your home with healthier, all-natural alternatives.
It
contains 215+ effective home remedies and covers everything you will need to
protect your family and save money every month.
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