Surviving Holiday Belly: Nourishing the Digestive System

The Fourth of July has come and gone! And what a wonderful holiday I had! Complete with family time, canoeing, walks in the woods, pool time, fireworks, and lots and lots of food. Food can be a tough thing for me with family gatherings. My day to day diet is a bit different than
the usual person's and I have a rather sensitive stomach. It is not unusual for me to feel rather sick after eating out or eating at someone else's home. I just can't eat all the processed foods and non-organic foods anymore. I eat too many delicious, organic, healing foods and I can't go back (I'm rather happy to report!). I also can't tolerate a number of foods and there are a fair number of foods I avoid due to other health reasons, such as canola oil and many processed oils. But, I am so happy to say that I ate lots of holiday food (ribs, sausage, tortilla chips with cheese) and still felt ok!I have struggled for a number of months with some tummy trouble. Nothing too serious, but I have known I have some digestive imbalances. I cut out wheat and dairy and have felt much, much better! I also have been taking in a few wonderful digestive herbs that have made a huge difference in my digestive health!

In America, pretty nearly everyone could use some digestive healing. It is the nature of the diet that we follow in this country to cause a number of imbalances. We eat so much wheat, dairy, meat, and very few vegetables. All of this causes so much acidity in our systems, and in the end, inflammation, which can develop into serious conditions over time. I have certainly followed a standard American diet for much of my young life. It hasn't been until the last two - three years that I have begun to eat more foods that are full of nourishment and healing. I have found diet changes very helpful, but I have to say I have found the most powerful healing in herbs. I feel I have been able to revitalize my digestive system.

Here are just a small handful of the herbs I have found helpful in my healing process. These are herbs are quite versatile, helpful for slight imbalances such a nausea or also more serious conditions such as diverticulitis, colitis, IBS, Crohn's, gallstones, etc.:

Yellow Dock is wonderful at improving bile flow, detoxifying, and boosting the liver. Ithelps stimulate digestive juices, tone the intestines, and stimulate healthy bowel movements. It is a wonderful source of iron for those struggling with anemia. Yellow Dock reduces inflammation in the digestive system. Overall, a wonderful herb that has been incredibly helpful to me throughout my journey healing my digestion.

Dandelion stimulates bile flow and digestive juices, helps the liver, and is detoxifying. In particular it is helpful for any gallbladder imbalance, including gallstones. I used to experience some cramping in my gallbladder region, but after taking dandelion I no longer experience this.

Slippery Elm is the most soothing herb I have experienced. Something about it feels almost luxurious. Any sort of inflammation or irritation in the digestive system (or anywhere, really!) feels instantly soothed by this wonderful herb. Slippery Elm nourishes, soothes, and deeply relaxes the entire system, particularly in the stomach and intestinal area. It is wonderful for the nervous and irritated belly. As someone whose anxiety directly affects my digestion, slippery elm is definitely a favorite of mine!

Meadowsweet is a great herb for balancing the upper digestive process. It helps encourage digestive juices and enzymes as well as helps alkalize the system. It feels as though meadowsweet gently revitalizes the entire stomach region.

Gentian is deeply healing to the digestive system. Like other bitters, gentian is helpful to the liver, stimulates the flow of digestive juices and bile, and detoxifies the body. Gentian is among the bitterest of the bitter, so it is quite potent medicine. Its taste certainly makes it one that I like to combine with other tastier herbs! However, I find its taste brings my consciousness to my gut. I have found it helps bring my attention to what needs healing in my gut, as well as brings my attention to my gut instincts.

Chamomile is simply a fantastic herb! It is calming, soothing to the digestive system, and has some liver supporting action. It is beneficial in controlling diabetes and hyperglycemia. It is anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic, making it a great herb for many digestive imbalances. It has a very complex and wonderful taste which I love! In general, a great herb.

Healing digestion is not only important for the sake of a comfortable belly. Your digestive process if how you rid your body of toxins. If you can't get rid of toxins, then everything backs up and causes trouble for the rest of the body. Also, digestion has more meanings than the obvious physical process. We digest a good conversation, a great book, and important questions in our lives. If we can't digest our food, then we will struggle digesting these other things in life. Digestion allows us to take what nourishes us and put it to use and get rid of everything else. It is a very humble, everyday act of nurturing and purifying.

Struggles with Sleep: Herbs to Guide You To a Restful Slumber

It's time for bed so you snuggle up with the blankets and wait for sleep to come, but for some reason you just can't get to sleep. You toss and turn, unable to let your body relax into a restful sleep. You can't stop worrying about paying bills on time or you can't forget that little insult someone said. Perhaps you simply feel anxious but don't know why. You're too tired to sleep. You just can't keep your eyes shut, they just keep bouncing open. So...why not have some tea to help bring on a deep and restful slumber!

It is good to prepare for bed time. Avoid things that might get your adrenaline going. Allow the 1 or 2 hours leading up to your bedtime be relaxing. Try to put aside your worries from the day. Do some very gentle stretches or yoga, do breathing exercises, meditate for a few minutes...then make yourself a nice cup of herbal tea!

Here is a list of some beneficial herbs to help you sleep:

Chamomile:

There is a good reason chamomile is such a popular herb for relaxation and sleep! It helps soothe any discomfort from digestion, has a subtle affect detoxing the liver, and brings on a sense of relaxation. Chamomile is specific for someone who feels a bit fussy or moody. I have heard it described as the herb “for the child in all of us.”

Valerian:

Valerian is a very popular herb for those who need a sleep aid, particularly for those experiencing insomnia. You would use the root of valerian as a tea or tincture. However, valerian isn't for everyone. It makes about 75 – 90% of people sleepy, but the other percentage will experience the total opposite affect and feel quite jittery and buzzed from valerian. An herbalist can test the herb on you, or you can try it out and see how you react.

Passionflower:

If you are someone that can't stop cycling the same thoughts again and again, then passionflower isyour herb. It is a very relaxing herb that helps to quiet the anxious mind that just won't let go. This herb has been a dear friend on many sleepless night and during anxious times!

Skullcap:

Skullcap is another favorite herb of mine. Skullcap relaxes the body, particularly in the gut and heart area. It helps you let go of the kind of tension where you feel a pit in your stomach or tension in your chest. I have found it a great herb for letting go of anger. It has a nice action on the liver, which is where we often store anger in our bodies.

Wild Lettuce and Hops:

Wild lettuce and hops are both very powerful sedatives. Wild lettuce can be taken as a tea or tincture. I most like to use hops in an herbal pillow. It is a wonderful way to be lulled to sleep. However, hops are highly estrogenic which means they could be more stimulating to women. I once took a tincture both hops and wild lettuce in the formula and could barely muster the energy to stand afterwards!

Ashwagandha:

If you are someone that tends to stay up very late and wake late, then perhaps you need an herb that can help get your circadian rhythms balanced again. Ashwagandha is a root that not only soothes the nerves, but also nourished the endocrine system. You can take the root as a powder sprinkled in smoothies or food, capsule, tea, or tincture.

Mugwort:

Mugwort is an herb that is somewhat magical. Putting some mugwort leaves under your pillowor taking the tea or tincture will bring you into a dream state. Whenever I put the leaves under my pillow, I have very wild and vivid dreams. It seems to be a plant that brings subconscious messages to people.

There are multitudes of other herbs that could help you get to sleep: lavender, licorice, blue vervain, motherwort, linden, milky oats, lemon balm, etc, etc. It is hard to narrow it down to pick out just a few favorites!

Here is my favorite tea to make when I am having a sleepless night:

2 parts skullcap

1 part valerian

1 part chamomile

½ part licorice

½ part lavender

Allow to steep in water that is just shy of boiling. Cover while the tea is steeping. Allow to infuse for about 15-20 minutes. Sip and enjoy!