Natural digestive tonics to aid your digestion

No one likes to talk about it, but if you do not have regular bowel movement, then your health is in jeopardy. Our digestive tracts are about 25ft long, and they are in charge of assimilating nutrients and ridding the body of toxins.

As the digestive tract being so long, it needs help some times. Herbal medicine offers invaluable aid for chronic digestive disorders as well as common symptoms of overeating including heart burn, indigestion, cramping and bloating. Best ayurvedic digestive tonics are taken orally and thus they come in direct contact with mucous membrane lining the digestive tract.

With today’s lifestyle and food habits many of us suffer from some or another kind of digestive issues. Herbal medicines offer gentle non-habit-forming alternatives to over-the-counter and prescription medications and are suitable for long term use.

“What we eat is what we are.” Most of us have heard this saying quite often. Digestion has a strong influence on our nervous, hormonal and immune system. When the food that we eat is digested properly, we feel happy and confident. Have you ever wondered why? When we eat good food (by good food we mean healthy food) the healthy bacteria in the gut releases serotonin. This serotonin helps you feel relaxed and healthy.

Now people have understood the importance of the digestive system. Why it is so important to take care of your body. the digestive system is now seen as fundamental to our overall health in most traditional medicine systems.

Food is directly associated with disorders which previously wasn’t thought about. Auto-immune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis, mood and behaviour problems like ADHD, autism and depression; degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and arthritis; allergic conditions such as asthma and eczema. That is why intaking ayurvedic syrup for stomach health can really go a long way.

As a result of the above-mentioned conditions, inflammation might occur and even in other chronic conditions like obesity, heart disease or cancer. We can modify these destructive inflammatory responses by the kinds of food we eat and how we eat them.

Common problems like indigestion, constipation and heart burn can be managed with understanding how to use foods, herbs and spices in self-care.

There are other factors as well that come into play when the health of the digestive system is spoken about. They could be stress load, sleep patterns, diet, alcohol, smoking, weight, liver function, circulation, mood, exercise, chemicals, food quality and so on.

Poor digestion can also reduce the assimilation of nutrients and subsequently have a profound impact on your nutritional status and general wellbeing. Hence the need for ayurvedic digestive tonic.

Thankfully there are loads of natural remedies that can bring your digestive system back into balance.

Natural remedies for improved digestion:

• Lime and lemon juice:

These citrus fruits can increase the acid levels in the stomach, which supports the digestion of high-protein and high fat food such as nuts, seeds, avocado and leafy green vegetables.

Try sipping lemon water first thing in the morning as well as before meals.

• Orange and tangerine peel:

Citrus peels also stimulate the production of hydrochloric acid. This is one of the most common Chinese herbs used in formulas designed to improve digestion.

You can try to make organic tea of citrus peels and intake them between meals. You can also grate some citrus zest into your soups and salads.

• Ginger:

This medicinal root is one of the best herbs you can opt for smooth digestion. It is used fresh in teas, curries as a spice or the dried powdered form is also used and added in smoothies.

• Celery juice:

Daily use of celery juice on an empty stomach plays an important role in digestion because it is a source of natural chloride used by the body in order to create hydrochloric acid.

• Food high in natural sodium:

Sodium is essential for nutrient absorption in the small intestine and also for nutrient absorption in the kidney. Amino acids, glucose and water must make their way for small intestine to the blood. To do so, they pass through intestinal cells on their way to blood.

Increase sodium intake in your diet. Along with celery, zucchini, spinach, beets, coconut water, cantaloupe and sea vegetables.

• Nasturtium:

Nasturtium is an edible flower. It is pungent and bitter and stimulates digestion. This flower helps produce digestive acids and releases enzymes.

Nasturtium also has antioxidant rich flavonoids and vitamin C, which in turn helps in reducing inflammation and provides nutrition. The peppery flavour of this flower stimulates the production of bile, which enhances gall bladder function and fat digestion.

• Aloe vera:

The leaves of aloe vera have a healing effect on the entire digestive tract. The soft flesh found inside the green leaves can be added to salads, smoothies and puddings.

• Meadowsweet:

Perhaps one of the most versatile herbs for digestion, meadowsweet has unique properties and works to normalize digestion. Regardless of whether digestion is over or under active, it will encourage digestive balance.

It has been frequently used to treat gastrointestinal conditions associated with hyperacidity, such as gastritis, acidic dyspepsia and peptic ulceration.

• Papaya:

This tropical fruit contains the protein digesting enzyme papain and is also high in beta-carotene which has a healing effect on the wall of the digestive tract. It can promote digestion especially of meals containing protein as is said to combine well with all foods.

• Peppermint:

Peppermint is one of the best herbs for improving digestive function. It stimulates the production of both hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes.

It can be consumed as a tea between meals. You can also add fresh mint leaves to your smoothies and salads.

Many ayurvedic and herbal tonics are available in the market, that can aid your digestion process. You should not develop a habit of having medicines all the time. Try these natural remedies for digestion and live a healthy life.