Plants for the Digestive System
Most people experience digestive discomfort and challenges, some on a very regular basis. There is a huge increase in Candida in this counrty. I used to be one of those people, but through gradual changes and adjustments, I seem to have relieved myself of most of it. In this class we discussed the entire digestive process, which I was suprised to find I knew very little about. Digestion begins in the mouth (yes, how you chew does make a difference) and ends in the intestines and bowels. We take in our nourishment through digestion - when this is compromised, so is our health, nourishment and nutrition. Healthy elimination allows for good health. If we have trouble with this, we feel sluggish and weighed down, inflammation occurs and then produces toxic disease. Eliminating inflammation is the key to good health and serious medical problems. Some common symptoms of digestive problems are discomfort, allergies, anxiety, asthma, back aches, constipation, candida, sugar cravings, often tired, migraines/headaches, poor concentration, skin problems, memory loss and loss of sexual desire.
It is a good idea to do some sort of cleanse every 3 months with the change of the seasons. Seasonal eating (eating what grows in season) is a good way to stay clean.
Our digestion is effected by our mood. It is the assimilation of energy, food, - the way we take things in. It is our emotional core, our center, comprised of our families, present and past. It shows us instinct and awareness ~ we need compassion and nurturing. What we refer to as our "gut instinct", literally comes from our digestion system. This is where we show it when we just can't take things anymore, as we file away our feelings into our digestion. We experience a build up toxic feelings leading to toxic behaviors, thoughts and feelings. And medical disease. It signifies how we related to our world. Our solar plexus is in this area, our feeling area We must learn to trust our intuition and other people.
Some specific suggestions for common symptoms:
Has a warming and pungent quality. It is like fuel food, a dense nutrient. It's main properties, not limited to, are an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, apertive, diurectic, simulant, tonic, experctorant, and digestive sitmulant. Great to use for migraines, motion and morning sickness, indigestion, nervousness, cough and colds, bronchial and respitoray issues, cold extremeties, poor circulation, menstral cramps, fatigue and poor concentration. Do not use with ulcers and be careful in combination with aspirin. The oils can burn so be sure to dilute.
Peppermint ~ Mentha Piperita ~ this is a hybrid of watermint and spearmint.
This is both pungent and cooling; relaxing the nerves and stimulating circuation. It relaxes blood vessels, dries dampness, expells phlegm, clears the head. Used for stimulating mental function (a great substitute for caffeine), eases morning sickness, nausea, fever, cold, insomina, digestion, headaches, stress, irritability, heart palpatations, gall bladder issues, tooth aches and sore throat. Do not use on children under 2 as the menthol can be too strong, spearamint is a better choice, and not to use with acid reflux.
Fennel ~ Foeniculum vulgare ~yum! Try roasting this for a yummy winter veggie. The entire plant can be used medicinally and nutritively.
This has a very pungent, sweet, warm and dry quality. It is aromatic, digestive, tonic, extremely nutritive, an appetite suppressant, anti-flammatory, anit-bacterial, expectorant, a mild sedative for kids, and can help with vision. Great for the digestion of fatty food, to stabilize blood sugar levels, increase body energy, helps the lungs clear out film, relax bronchial tubes, decongest the liver, gas, indigestion, weak digestion, weight loss and fasting. Do not use high doses while pregnant and with estrogenic forms of cancer.
You can make a great after meal tea out of a combination of all three of these. Experiment with them in all of thier forms!
It is a good idea to do some sort of cleanse every 3 months with the change of the seasons. Seasonal eating (eating what grows in season) is a good way to stay clean.
Our digestion is effected by our mood. It is the assimilation of energy, food, - the way we take things in. It is our emotional core, our center, comprised of our families, present and past. It shows us instinct and awareness ~ we need compassion and nurturing. What we refer to as our "gut instinct", literally comes from our digestion system. This is where we show it when we just can't take things anymore, as we file away our feelings into our digestion. We experience a build up toxic feelings leading to toxic behaviors, thoughts and feelings. And medical disease. It signifies how we related to our world. Our solar plexus is in this area, our feeling area We must learn to trust our intuition and other people.
Some specific suggestions for common symptoms:
- constipation ~ yellow dock, cascara sagarda
- diarrhea ~ this is a signal that poisons/toxins need to be released, so you want to eliminate, BUT for chronic you can use agrimony, meadowsweet ~ something with an astringent property
- gastric ulcer ~ lifestyle is the cause of this so a need for a real overhaul is indicated by this ~ mashmallow root, comfrey and slippery elm
- acid reflux ~ (coating properties) marshmallow root, slippery elm, (relaxing properties) chamomile, hops
- eating disorders ~ gentianine (a bitter), skullcap which does tons of great things but is described as "helping us see a new picture of ourselves", and specifically for bulimia chamomile
Has a warming and pungent quality. It is like fuel food, a dense nutrient. It's main properties, not limited to, are an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, apertive, diurectic, simulant, tonic, experctorant, and digestive sitmulant. Great to use for migraines, motion and morning sickness, indigestion, nervousness, cough and colds, bronchial and respitoray issues, cold extremeties, poor circulation, menstral cramps, fatigue and poor concentration. Do not use with ulcers and be careful in combination with aspirin. The oils can burn so be sure to dilute.
Peppermint ~ Mentha Piperita ~ this is a hybrid of watermint and spearmint.
This is both pungent and cooling; relaxing the nerves and stimulating circuation. It relaxes blood vessels, dries dampness, expells phlegm, clears the head. Used for stimulating mental function (a great substitute for caffeine), eases morning sickness, nausea, fever, cold, insomina, digestion, headaches, stress, irritability, heart palpatations, gall bladder issues, tooth aches and sore throat. Do not use on children under 2 as the menthol can be too strong, spearamint is a better choice, and not to use with acid reflux.
Fennel ~ Foeniculum vulgare ~yum! Try roasting this for a yummy winter veggie. The entire plant can be used medicinally and nutritively.
This has a very pungent, sweet, warm and dry quality. It is aromatic, digestive, tonic, extremely nutritive, an appetite suppressant, anti-flammatory, anit-bacterial, expectorant, a mild sedative for kids, and can help with vision. Great for the digestion of fatty food, to stabilize blood sugar levels, increase body energy, helps the lungs clear out film, relax bronchial tubes, decongest the liver, gas, indigestion, weak digestion, weight loss and fasting. Do not use high doses while pregnant and with estrogenic forms of cancer.
You can make a great after meal tea out of a combination of all three of these. Experiment with them in all of thier forms!