[Article updated on 19/09/2023]
Perhaps our cave ancestors invented diet without knowing it. They ate plants, which we now know help digestion.
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.
Oh well, but which ones?
Answer below.
But why do we have trouble digesting?
It’s obvious that festive meals are often fatty, and fat is one of those foods that is extremely slow to digest. This requires a lot of work and a lot of energy from our digestive system.
You know the consequences: bloating, nausea, feeling of discomfort,…
But fortunately there are natural methods, among others, certain plants, which can help you digest better…
What are these plants that help digestion?
Let’s start with the fennel!
Dried fennel fruits are traditionally used to stimulate digestion and treat minor digestive disorders.
Quite simply, the day after a meal that is too heavy and too fatty, prepare yourself an herbal tea: pour 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 during the day.
If you don’t like the aniseed taste of fennel, you can even chew a teaspoon of fennel seeds after a meal.
And when we had trouble digesting after a night of drinking too much?
In this case, let’s think about the artichoke…
It is a friend after all holiday meals because it stimulates the liver to better digest fats.
You need to make an artichoke infusion; As for the taste, it is not the most attractive, but it is very effective because it helps in the production of bile, which allows you to digest fats, and to rehydrate your body.
However, don’t take the opportunity to abuse alcohol knowing that there is a way to digest it better, because in any case, unfortunately alcohol, you will absorb it!
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 hearts 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 3 times a day!
And black radish?
Used in juice or powder, black radish is also known to stimulate the action of bile.
Here is the recipe: wash and peel a black radish and cut it into slices. Mix it in a blender. Pour the juice into a 1.5 liter bottle of water and drink a sip every morning on an empty stomach.
If the taste is too strong, add a little water or fruit juice.
And keep everything in the refrigerator.
And what is vegetable charcoal used for?
So in fact, vegetable charcoal is made from coconut, oak or ash wood and it helps fight spasms or stomach pain.
Basically, it will act like a sponge and will help fix the gases. Then it is evacuated in the stools, it is very effective against bloating.
It comes in the form of powder, capsules, tablets or granules, ask your doctor for advice.
Be careful, precautions should be taken: given that charcoal is a kind of sponge, it should not be taken at the same time as medicinal treatment.
He could absorb it and stop this medicine from working!
It should also not be taken in case of constipation because it can slow down intestinal transit.
One last plant to recommend?
Finally, I recommend peppermint!
More precisely Peppermint Essential Oil.
The main health authorities recognize the use of peppermint in digestive disorders and in particular in irritable bowel syndrome.
It is an excellent natural remedy for pain, nausea or vomiting, acute diarrhea, minor digestive disorders and…to fight 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 of use of this essential oil. Remember: Essential oil cannot be consumed pure!
To sum up :
- “Fat” takes longer to be digested.
- Fennel, artichoke, black radish, vegetable charcoal, peppermint oil are your allies!
- Ask for your doctor’s opinion.