6 Herbs to Aid Digestion

Soothe pain and inflammation

anti-inflammatory

Licorice, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Glycyrrhiza inflata, and Glycyrrhiza glabra

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Glycyrrhiza inflata, and Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a legume with potent effects on the body, a staple in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Native to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe it has ladders of oval shaped leaves and small, bushy, blue-ish flowers. Mostly harvested for its root, the thickest horizontal roots can be cut from the main tap root and the plant replanted for multiple harvests! Dry the roots to preserve and add to your favorite herbal tea blend. You can even chew on the fresh root itself for a sweet treat. Its secondary metabolites, in particular triterpenes, flavonoids and polysaccharides, are responsible for its medicinal activities. It reduces inflammation by inhibiting certain enzymes in the stomach that would otherwise produce prostaglandins, compounds known to inflame the stomach lining.

Use in a decoction, slow boiling the herbs covered as to preserve the essential oils that release. 

Ease cramps

antispasmodic

Cramp Bark, Viburnum opulus

Cramp Bark, Viburnum opulus, is a species of shrub native to Europe and North America, it is deciduous with small, clustered white flowers and bunches of bright red berries. It can get quite large too, up to 15 feet tall! It’s berries are edible but its bark is truly medicinal. Strip the bark from new shoots leaving plenty so the plant may recover. Not only does it contain methyl salicylate, a pain relieving compound and a precursor to aspirin, it is antispasmodic meaning that it will ease cramping and muscle spasms. 

Use it in a decoction internally or a fomentation externally. Hot compresses can loosen the stomach muscles and ease cramping.

Alleviate constipation

laxative

Castor Oil, Ricinus communis

Castor oil is derived from the seed of Ricinus communis, a beautiful flowering perennial. Native to Asia and Africa this plant sports glossy leaves with deep lobes that vary from dark green to purple-red. Once it is pollinated the flowers turn into spiked seed capsules, here the seeds mature. The oil pressed from these are rich in ricinolein, a purgative that loosens stool. Prized in traditional medicine, keep this oil on hand for quick relief!

Take a small spoonful right before relief is needed, it acts fairly quickly.

Aid in meal digestion

bitters

Wormwood, Artemisia absinthium

Wormwood is a powerful addition to a digestive bitters tincture. These tinctures feature bitter tasting herbs that stimulate digestion. Wormwood is native to Northern Africa, Europe and Western Asia, with branched yellow-green leaves and drooping, bulbous yellow flowers. Wormwood in particular contains absinthin and anabsinthin, which stimulates gallbladder function to promote digestion, and thujone. Historically it was a prominent herb in absinthe

All parts of the plant may be used, taken as a tea or tincture.

Fight infections

antimicrobial and anti-parasitic

Cloves, Syzygium aromaticum

Cloves from the clove trees are an amazing digestive aid, these evergreens are native to Indonesia and grow best in tropical environments. Their flowers are harvested once they go from green to bright red. Just dry and they are ready to go! Commonly used in cooking for its warming aroma, its medicinal value makes it a staple in apothecaries. The oil from these buds, of which 70-90% is eugenol, is anti-parasitic and antimicrobial making it great for fighting infection. 

To ensure that the essential oil is being delivered to the body make sure to steep your brews covered, to capture all the volatile oils. Add it to teas or take as a tincture.

Overall digestive health

restorative

Turmeric, Curcuma longa

Turmeric is a root from Asia known to promote a healthy gut microbiome. Having a distinctive bright yellow hue, the root is harvested from the herbaceous flowering plant in the ginger family. When ingested it balances bacteria levels in your digestional tract to ensure that beneficial ones are in the forefront. Not only that but it is highly anti-inflammatory due to its curcumin content, an antioxidant that targets free radicals. It also eases acid reflux and symptoms of IBS and Crohn's Disease. 

Take in capsule form or in tea or honey. Tinctures are also a great mode of delivery into the body!