Digestive problems affect almost all of us. Some struggle with them on a daily basis, others from time to time, such as after a hearty and heavy holiday meal. Heartburn, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, colic, belching, a feeling of heaviness and fullness in the intestines – these unpleasant symptoms can really hinder daily functioning. We suggest how to deal with them with home remedies. What herbs are good for digestion?
Digestion is a complex process – it involves not only many structures of the digestive tract, but also organs located outside it, such as the pancreas, liver, bile ducts with the gallbladder. Digestion and metabolism are further regulated by a number of hormones, enzymes and other substances that support the course of metabolism in the human body.
Proper digestion is influenced by many factors, this is primarily:
metabolic rate, i.e. the rate of metabolism in the body, which depends largely on hereditary tendencies; diet, the quality of food, the composition of the menu, the content in the diet of products that drive metabolism (e.g., fiber) or those that hinder digestion (among other things. a lot of saturated fats, highly processed foods); fluids, especially the amount of healthy fluids (water, herbal teas, fruit and vegetable juices) drunk each day; physical activity, daily dose of exercise, lifestyle (active or sedentary); concomitant diseases affecting, among other things, intestinal peristalsis or the secretion of bile and digestive enzymes.
How to improve digestion? 10 home remedies for a good metabolism!
Consume regular meals. Consume less hearty meals, but more often, at regular intervals – optimally every 3-4 hours. The body will digest smaller portions of food more easily, moreover, it will develop the so-called metabolic memory – at certain times the digestive system will secrete more digestive enzymes. Eat small portions. More frequent and less hearty meals are one thing. However, there are other ways to reduce the amount of food you eat. Don’t put the whole meal on your plate at once (then you’re more likely to eat it all), but in small portions. Finish your meal when you feel your hunger has been satisfied. This way you will avoid overeating. Chew and grind thoroughly. Find time to eat your meals in peace, without rushing. The better chewed and shredded the food, the easier it is to digest later. Eat and then sip. Try to drink only after you have finished your meal. However, if you need to drink during, remember to swallow the bites first and only sip afterwards. Never drink while chewing! Keep your body well hydrated. Drink at least 2 liters of healthy fluids every day, including: still water, herbal teas, fresh fruit and vegetable juices, healthy soups, smoothies. Try to drink in small portions, then the fluids will be better absorbed into the body. Reach for herbs that aid digestion. They not only hydrate the body, but also improve digestive processes. Eat foods rich in fiber. Fiber, or dietary fiber, plays a very important role in the process of moving food content in the intestines. It stimulates peristalsis and helps remove undigested, lingering debris in the intestines. Rich sources of fiber are vegetables, fruits with the skin, whole grain products (e.g. wholemeal bread, thick cereals, wholemeal pasta), muesli, oatmeal. Foods with high fiber content help avoid constipation and overcrowding of the digestive tract. Make sure to include probiotics in your daily menu. Probiotics are products (e.g., natural yogurt, buttermilk, kefir, pickles) that have a beneficial effect on the intestinal flora, thus not only improving digestion and nutrient absorption, but also strengthening immunity by inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria in the intestines. Remember: movement is good for digestion. Almost any physical activity has a positive effect on metabolism, but in order to get your intestines “moving” more, it is worth betting on stretching exercises, yoga, tummies, bends, squats. Listen to your bowels. Don’t hold back your bowel reflex, as it may disappear. With a hard and sore abdomen, reach for laxative teas, with bloating – help drain gas from the intestines. When feeling overfull, try eating less for a few days or cleanse your body of excess food residue. These kinds of problems happen to everyone, but you need to react to them quickly enough to prevent the development of more serious conditions.
See also: supplements for digestion and liver
What herbs for digestion?
Herbal teas are a natural and healthy way to improve digestion and metabolic processes in the body. Here are the most popular herbs for digestion and good digestive function:
- Peppermint – peppermint herbal tea regulates the secretion of gastric juice, stimulates the production and secretion of bile, improves bowel movements, has a windmill effect,
- Lemon balm – has a relaxing and regulating effect on the digestive system, increases the secretion of gastric juice,
- Dandelion – supports liver function and cleanses the body of toxins,
- Fennel – reduces the feeling of fullness, helps prevent bloating,
- St. John’s wort – regulates the digestive system, supports the production and secretion of bile,
- Chamomile – regulates intestinal function, stimulates bile secretion, has a beneficial effect on appetite, prevents excessive fermentation in the intestines, feelings of fullness and bloating,
- senescence – an herb with laxative effect, for short-term use in constipation associated with poor nutrition,
- Aloe vera – has a laxative effect, stimulates bile secretion,
- Milk thistle – regenerates and has a positive effect on liver function, supports bile production and improves digestion.
It is also worth using herbal blends for brewing for digestion, such as Alax fix with senes and dill, which have a multidirectional effect on the digestive system.
