On the occasion of International Digestive Health Day, we would like to remind you that the FEAD (Spanish Digestive System Foundation) has established a series of recommendations as a guide to maintaining a healthy microbiota and taking care of our digestive health.
- Avoid stress, tobacco, alcohol and sedentary life.
- Take care of your diet with varied foods.
- Avoid consuming processed meat.
- Eat fermented foods.
- Eat good quality fats
- Cook food in a healthy way.
Medicinal plants to take care of your digestive health
Mint, the remedy for digestive disorders
Mint leaves are beneficial for relieving the symptoms of digestive disorders since, among other qualities, they lighten the heaviest digestions. In addition, they reduce abdominal swelling, as well as gas in the stomach and flatulence.
Peppermint can also be taken to relieve irritable bowel symptoms and prevent vomiting and cramping caused by conditions such as Crohn’s syndrome or colitis. Due to its powerful aroma, mint activates the salivary glands in the mouth and causes digestive enzymes to be secreted.
It is advisable to drink an infusion of mint after eating. You can prepare it by adding 2-6 grams of peppermint to 300 ml hot water. Let the information steep for 5-10 minutes and strain the contents. Now you can drink your mint infusion.
Another option is pennyroyal infusion, which has similar properties in digestion that we have discussed.
Sweet chamomile for the stomach
Sweet chamomile has calming properties, making it a good option for improving intestinal health. Helps relieve heaviness and discomfort caused by poor digestion. Its sedative capacity, combined with its antispasmodic properties, helps fight colic and intestinal spasms.
In addition, it is anti-inflammatory, so it is suitable for reducing inflammation of the intestine, gas or menstruation pain. It can help us feel better in situations of discomfort caused by nausea or vomiting.
Chamomile tea for the stomach can be taken after a meal or at night before sleep. To prepare it, you can boil 300 ml of water and, when it is about to cook, add a couple of teaspoons of chamomile flower and let the infusion stand for at least 5 minutes.
Chamomile with anise is a combination that can also help you take care of your digestive health thanks to its soothing and protective properties of the digestive system.
Fennel for gases
Wild fennel is a plant that can significantly help in cases of indigestion, abdominal swelling or indigestion. This medicinal plant stimulates gastrointestinal motility and the secretion of gastric juices, which facilitate and accelerate the digestive process.
To these benefits are added its carminative properties; It is recommended to take fennel to expel gases and thus avoid an inflamed intestine.
Likewise, it fights stomach upset and intestinal spasms because it is an antispasmodic plant that promotes muscle relaxation.
Fennel is a plant that helps quench thirst in summer and whet our appetite. You can prepare fennel infusion by adding a couple of tablespoons of fennel seeds to 300 ml of boiling water. Wait 5 minutes for the drink to settle, strain the fennel, and your drink will be ready.
Star anise, what is it used for?
Star anise is one of the most recommended medicinal plants for our digestive health. It can be taken for problems related to indigestion, gastrointestinal spasms or gastroenteritis.
Among the properties of anise, its carminative action stands out. Star anise for intestinal gas is a natural remedy to deflate the colon and flatulence.
In addition, it helps eliminate halitosis and bad taste in the mouth while stimulating appetite. For example, you can prepare an infusion of star anise by adding two teaspoons of this plant to 300 ml of boiling water.
Remove the water from the heat, wait 5 minutes and strain the anise. You can sweeten it with a touch of honey or any other sweetener to your liking. Star anise is contraindicated during pregnancy and should be taken in moderation.
Liquorice stick: digestive properties
Liquorice is a natural remedy to treat gastric ulcers since it promotes the repair of the digestive mucosa, which is why it is considered a protector of the stomach.
The properties of liquorice concerning digestive health are numerous. Among them, its action to combat heartburn or heartburn, gastrointestinal spasms, reflux, heartburn and gastritis stand out. Added to this are its effective antiseptic and antibacterial activity against stomach bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori.
This plant, also known as liquorice, can be consumed to treat these internal discomforts as a liquorice infusion. The easiest way to prepare this infusion is to add a couple of teaspoons of crushed liquorice to 250 ml of boiling water, let it steep for 5 minutes and strain the information.
It is not recommended to consume liquorice during pregnancy if you suffer from hypertension, cirrhosis or kidney failure.
Sage as a medicinal plant
The benefits of sage in digestive health are due to its tannin content, which in turn helps to calm gastrointestinal problems, and calm excessive intestinal motility, causing astringent and antidiarrheal effects.
Also, sage has anti-inflammatory properties and relaxes tense muscles, reducing discomfort from gastric problems. In addition, the sage plant helps calm other mild symptoms such as bloating or heartburn, as well as heavy digestion accompanied by flatulence.
You can take it as an infusion by adding two teaspoons of sage to a cup of hot water. Let the drink steep for at least 5 minutes, then strain the sage leaves.
An essential part of our digestive well-being depends on the microbiota, also known as intestinal flora, which is the set of bacteria or microorganisms found in the intestine and beneficial to our body.
The intestinal flora contributes to our good health, prevents intestinal infections, protects the digestive system and stimulates the production of defences.
When the microbiota suffers alterations, we can suffer from different conditions and intestinal discomfort. Among them are those related to inflammation of the intestine, such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or Helicobacter Pylori infection, which can lead to gastritis and gastric ulcers.
