If you feel bloated and keep getting heartburn or wind after eating you could be suffering from indigestion.
Editor Jane Garton shares some natural ways to keep things running smoothly.
To start off, it’s a good idea to assess your eating habits, as they could be a trigger factor. Do you eat on the run? Do you have little time to eat and wolf down your food without paying attention to proper chewing? Do you eat irregularly? If you answer yes to any of these, then it’s time to adopt some healthier eating habits, but if things persist, there are some herbs that can help to soothe our digestive systems.
MINT
Mint is great for soothing a troubled gut and relieving excess gas, cramps and colicky pains. Try mint capsules available from your local health store or brew up a cup of mint tea. Simply put a handful of leaves in 150 ml of boiling water. Leave to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes, strain and drink one cup before meals.
Ginger helps to boost circulation, which in turn can help dispel gas from the intestines and stomach. Sprinkle it over foods – as well as adding flavour it helps to boost digestion. If you are feeling a little queasy try some ginger tea. Simply grate an inch of fresh ginger root into a mug and cover with boiling water. Leave to infuse for five minutes before drinking.
Being rich in curcumin, ground turmeric helps to protect the liver and lower cholesterol levels. It works by helping to increase bile flow, thus preventing the fermentation of undigested fats in the intestine, which can lead to flatulence, bloating and cramps.
According to ayurvedic traditions, turmeric can also soothe the stomach and balance an upset digestion. Just take a small spoonful of turmeric and stir it into a cup of yogurt after lunch. In Japan they have a whole raft of turmeric preparations for curing hangovers. So rather than reaching for a hair of the dog the morning after a big night out why not try some turmeric instead?
TOP TIPS
- Drinking a glass of warm water first thing in the morning will help clean out bowel mucus
- Your tummy needs fluids to digest food properly. Drink liquids around half an hour before eating or one hour after
- Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly
- Try to eat fruits by themselves, as they tend to digest faster than other foods. Eating them with protein foods such as meat, or carbohydrates such as potatoes or pasta, causes fermentation in your gut, which can lead to bloating.
- Avoid alcohol – it can make bloating worse
- Reduce salt intake. Instead, flavour food with lemon juice, herbs and spices.
- Cut down on dairy products, nuts and spicy foods that can cause intestinal wind
