Digestive complaints are one of the most common issues we see in today’s modern world. Luckily nature has provided us with an arsenal of plants that can help relieve the discomfort.
Bitter herbs stimulate juices required for digestion from the stomach and intestine, stimulate the release of bile required for fat digestion and are cooling so can help relieve hot inflammatory conditions.
Our modern day diet is lacking in the bitter taste which may contributing factor to our current digestive problems.
Herbs have been used for centuries to help with digestion. Swedish bitters, a combination of bitter herbs, were used as far back as the 15th century to aid digestion and as a tonic for longevity and good health. Aperitifs with herbs infused in wine were drunk before meals and digestives such as Chartreuse (a drink that in which 130 different plants are distilled in alcohol) was traditionally enjoyed after a meal. Aniseed and liquorice flavoured liqueurs such as Pastis from France, Ouzo from Greece and Sambuca from Italy have long been served after a meal for their soothing and stomach calming properties.
Ways to include some digestive herbs into your diet.
- Have a tonic with bitter tasting herbs before your meals
- Include bitter greens in your salad such as rocket or dandelion leaves
- Drink fennel, liquorice or kawakawa tea after lunch and dinner.
- Take 1 dessertspoon of apple cider vinegar 15 minutes before food
- Include herbs such as caraway, coriander, rosemary and thyme in soups and stews.
