[Article updated on 19/09/2023]
Heartburn, spasms, nausea, migraines, aerophagia, bloating… In short, you may be familiar with these inconveniences.
Before reading on
I’m not an expert in this field, but I am passionate about nutrition and health.
The articles you’ll find on my site are the result of in-depth research that I’d like to share with you. However, I would like to stress that I am not a health professional and that my advice should in no way replace that of a qualified physician. I’m here to guide you, but it’s important that you consult a professional for specific questions or medical concerns. Your well-being is important. So be sure to consult the appropriate experts and take the best possible care of yourself.
Are there any plants that help us digest better?
Often, this happens after rich meals and the lipids, that is to say the “fat” of foods, are the slowest nutrients to digest, and also require enzymes, bile and acid. stomach to break them down, which makes our body “work” a lot for digestion.
All this leads to bloating, nausea and discomfort.
Some people may also experience diarrhea and stomach pain after eating a fatty meal.
But fortunately there are natural methods, among others, certain plants, which can help you digest better…
Which plant to favor?
Do you know fennel?
Well, the seeds and dried fruits of fennel are traditionally used to stimulate digestion and treat minor digestive disorders.
Quite simply, the day after a meal that is too copious and too fatty, prepare yourself an herbal tea: pour 20 cl of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of dried fennel fruit. You let it infuse for 2 to 3 minutes. You filter and drink it three times a day.
If you don’t mind the aniseed taste, you can also chew a teaspoon of fennel seeds after a meal.
And to relieve “hangovers”, there is also a plant and it is the artichoke!
It is a real ally during the holidays because it stimulates the liver to better digest fats.
Nothing like a “good” artichoke infusion (I’m not going to lie to you, taste-wise we’ve had better!) to help the production of bile, this liquid which allows us to digest fats, and to give back appetite while rehydrating your body.
My advice: to avoid making a face while drinking this infusion, mix the artichoke with the licorice and anise.
Recipe : crumble 1 pinch of artichoke with ½ pinch of anise and ½ pinch of liquorice in a liter of cold water. Bring to the boil and let simmer for a few minutes. Turn off the heat and let it infuse for 10 minutes. Strain and add a teaspoon of rosemary honey. Drink this infusion throughout the day.
And to help digest: black radish and vegetable charcoal
Used in juice or powder, black radish is known to stimulate the action of bile in its fight against waste thanks to its properties which promote the secretion of bile.
I’ll give you the recipe: wash and peel a black radish and cut it into slices. Mix it in a blender. Pour the juice into a 1.5l bottle of water and drink 10ml every morning on an empty stomach. If the taste is too strong, add a little water or fruit juice. And store in the refrigerator.
THE vegetable coal is obtained from coconut, oak or ash wood and it is a powerful and natural antispasmodic. Basically, it will act like a sponge and will help fix the gases. Then it is passed out in the stools with the captured substances. Hence the great effectiveness of vegetable charcoal against bloating!
It comes in the form of powder, capsules, tablets or granules.
The recommended dosage is 4 to 6 capsules per day, accompanied by large glasses of water.
Be careful, precautions should be taken: due to its role as a sponge, vegetable charcoal is a food supplement that should not be taken at the same time as another treatment. He could capture it and eliminate it before it can act. It is therefore advisable to talk to your doctor if you are taking treatment elsewhere. It should also be avoided in cases of constipation, because it slows down intestinal transit.
What about essential oils?
I recommend it to you pepper mint !
More precisely thePeppermint Essential Oil (H.E.).
It’s not me who says it, it’s the main health authorities who recognize the use of peppermint (essential oil and leaves) in digestive disorders and in particular in irritable bowel syndrome.
This plant relieves pain, spasms, nausea,…
It is also an excellent natural remedy to combat against bad breath!
To do this, mix 25 cl of water with a hint of honey and 1 drop of peppermint essential oil (do not take more than 1 drop because its active ingredient is powerful).
Important: it is necessary to have medical advice to define the frequency, duration, dosage and indication for use of this essential oil. Essential oil is not consumed pure.
To sum up
- “Fat” takes longer to be digested (and that’s why you don’t feel very well after a festive meal);
- Fennel, artichoke, black radish, vegetable charcoal, peppermint oil are your allies! (these plants will help you digest better and reduce your bloating);
- Ask your doctor for advice regarding charcoal and E.O. peppermint (there are some contraindications).