Digestion - What Is Good & What Is Not?

Herbal teas can work wonders for your digestion. Ginger tea helps the digestive system absorb nutrients in the digestive system. It also absorbs gases and toxins from the body and aids in their elimination from the body. Lemon balm tea contains a number of vitamins and minerals that help calm down the digestive system and soothe abdominal pain and bloating. Chamomile tea is often used to treat stomach cramps and can also help prevent them. In addition, it calms the central nervous system and relieves bloating, gas, nausea and heartburn. Other herbal teas that can be beneficial for digestion include fennel seed tea, peppermint tea, lemon verbena tea and dandelion tea.

Psyllium husk refers to the husk of Plantago seeds. Psyllium husk is rich in fibre that when combined with water forms a gluten free gel. If you do not get enough fibre in your daily diet, psyllium husk can help prevent constipation and reduce bloating and stomach cramp. Since it is rich in fibre it also adds bulk to your meals and keeps the stomach feeling full. This helps reduce food consumption and thus helps regulate weight and lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

Turmeric not only adds flavour to food but it also has anti-inflammatory properties that help in improving digestion. By reducing inflammation in the colon it tones this part of the digestive system and strengthens the tissue in the large intestine. This helps treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Turmeric also has warming effects that relieve bloating and gas and boost the appetite along with stimulating blood circulation and lowering bad cholesterol levels. In addition, turmeric promotes bile production that helps break down fats.

Adding licorice root to your diet has a soothing effect on the inflamed mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines and can help relieve gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, liver disorders and allergies. It also helps reduce the amount of acid being secreted in your stomach and helps keep the stomach lined. In addition, licorice has estrogenic and steroidal properties that balance female hormones. The ideal way to benefit from licorice is to a teaspoon of licorice in 8oz of water for half an hour and drink 2-3 cups of this solution a day.