For many ailments in the area of the digestive tract, nature offers a lush selection of suitable remedies in the form of herbal ready-made preparations or tea preparations. Even our grandparents knew proven recipes for gastrointestinal complaints, which are still used today. Some medicinal plants have ingredients that act specifically against disorders of the digestive system. However, even herbal remedies should be taken with caution and not in excessive quantities. This also applies to medicinal teas.
Broad field of application
To enhance the healing effects of individual plant preparations, it may be useful to combine them or resort to ready-made mixtures from the pharmacy. This is especially beneficial for people with irritable bowel syndrome who are plagued by several ailments at once. The ingredients of some medicinal herbs promote the production of gastric juice and bile and thus stimulate digestion. Others are effective against cramps and flatulence or calm the stomach. Some plants can soothe irritated stomach lining thanks to anti-inflammatory substances and mucilage.
Type of preparation crucial
It is important to stick to the preparation of medicinal teas. Some require a short brewing time to release the active ingredients into the water, while others may require the tea to steep for fifteen minutes or longer. Excessive amounts of some plants are needed to make an effective tea or, like artichoke, they are not suitable for tea preparation. Therefore, pharmacies offer the herbal remedies as a ready-made solution or concentrated essential oil.
Peppermint soothes
One of the oldest means to calm the dam is peppermint. The leaves of the plant in the form of infusion or tea have proven to be effective for cramp-like complaints of the stomach and intestines. The essential oil from the plant, menthol, provides relief especially for pain in the upper gastrointestinal tract and irritable bowel syndrome. Also in case of nausea and nausea, a cup of the tea drunk in sips and not too hot does a good job.
Yarrow for flatulence
Of yarrow, popularly known as bellyache herb or field yarrow, the whole plant, with the exception of the root, acts. Its bitter substance, which stimulates saliva production, its tannins and a resin work well for inflammation, flatulence or cramps. The azulene in the essential oil of yarrow has a disinfectant, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effect. The high content of potassium stimulates the activity of the kidneys, which makes the plant suitable for spring and autumn cures.
Lemon balm relieves cramps
The aerial parts of lemon balm possess sedative and antispasmodic properties. No less than 250 ingredients, of which the essential ones are the most important, contribute to a calming and slightly deflating effect, so that complaints such as stomach pressure, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation or gastrointestinal cramps are relieved. In addition, the plant medicine calms the autonomic nervous system and protects the stomach and intestines from nervous overstimulation. This is especially helpful for people with irritable stomach and irritable bowel. In addition to tea preparations, the herbal agent is available as an alcohol-free solution and as capsules or, for aromatherapy, as a pure essential oil.
Chamomile against inflammation
Among the best and most effective remedies for acute and chronic inflammation of the mucous membranes in the gastrointestinal tract is chamomile. High-quality medicinal teas from chamomile are characterized by the fact that only the dried flower heads are used, without stems, stems and leaves. Due to its antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and decongestant action, it quickly relieves the corresponding discomfort. To increase the effect in case of gastric mucosa irritation, the tea is suitable for a rolling cure. To do this, in the morning on an empty stomach, drink three to four large cups of chamomile tea, lie down first on your back, then on the left side, stomach and right side. Stay in each position for about 5 minutes.
Fennel for bloating
Almost a classic for flatulence, bloating and cramping symptoms is fennel. In the Middle Ages, people chewed the herb to suppress stomach noises. The essential oils from the seeds and roots of the plant, such as estragole and anethole, and plant pigments such as rutin are antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory.When buying fennel tea should pay attention to a high content of essential oils, which should be about six percent. The deflating effect can be enhanced by mixing it with anise and caraway tea or sage tea.
Other herbal helpers
Less known, but very effective is blueberry tea for diarrhea. A high tannin content provides soothing of the intestinal walls. Stronger tissue constricting, anti-inflammatory and somewhat constipating effect preparations from oak bark, which have a high tannin content. This also prevents too much water from flowing into the bowel. As a sitz bath, a supplement of oak bark helps very well with hemorrhoids.
