• Cinnamon is one of the world's most widely used digestive aids, helping to improve most gastrointestinal problems. It is greatly effective in relieving intestinal gas and eases diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. It also contains propanoic acid, which helps to stop the formation of stomach ulcers without interfering in the production of the gastric acid needed for good digestion. (Click here for more information on Cinnamon)
• Cardamom is well known as a digestive stimulant that improves the appetite and promotes circulation to the digestive system, helping to relieve nausea, vomiting, indigestion, and colic. It is also thought to ease irritable bowel syndrome. One of the oldest uses for Cardamom is for the relief of flatulence and the "griping" (grumbling and pain in the intestines and bowels) associated with gas. (Click here for more information on Cardamom)
• Caraway Seed is famous for improving the appetite and treating conditions of the digestive system, including heartburn, indigestion, colic, nausea, upset stomach, and stomach ulcers. It is considered a harmless calmative. As a further aid to the digestive system, Caraway relieves constipation, expels flatulence, and eases the "griping" (pain and grumbling) in the bowels and intestines that frequently accompanies gas. Herbalists consider it one of the most important herbs for strengthening the intestines. (Click here for more information on Caraway Seed)
• Fennel Seed has been primarily used to stimulate good digestion since ancient times. It relaxes the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract and has helped alleviate acid-stomach, flatulence, food poisoning, motion sickness, nausea, and vomiting. Fennel is an aromatic stimulant that is good for the gastrointestinal tract and relieves abdominal pain, colon disorders, gastrointestinal tract spasms, and also helps to expel gas and ease infant colic. (Click here for more information on Fennel Seed)
• Peppermint Leaf benefits the entire digestive tract. As a medicine (in both home remedies and pharmaceutical preparations), it is used to relieve indigestion and the intestinal gas caused by certain foods; hence, its popularity in after-dinner mints and liqueurs. It relaxes the stomach muscles and promotes burping. Peppermint slightly anesthetizes the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, easing the discomforts of indigestion, including heartburn, hiccups, flatulence, and stomachache. Peppermint calms a queasy stomach and is good for nausea and vomiting. It is said to be especially calming for the lower bowel and has been helpful in relieving diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome. As an antispasmodic, Peppermint is helpful in alleviating cramps, including menstrual cramps, and stomach pain, and it eases "griping" (sharp pains and grumbling in the bowel) caused by eating unripe fruit or irritating foods. (Click here for more information on Peppermint Leaf)
• Ginger Root is said to improve digestion and has been known to pep up the appetite, promote saliva production, combat dyspepsia, and relieve flatulent colic (it is said to prevent flatulence if included with the meal). It is also thought to be helpful for stomach cramps, alcoholic gastritis and hangover. The shogaol content in Ginger increases the activity of the digestive tract and is particularly helpful in digesting rich, fatty foods. Ginger is said to increase the absorption and efficacy of other herbs and drugs that are taken with it. (Click here for more information on Ginger Root)
• Magnolia Bark has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for at least two thousand years as an aromatic, pungent, and warming stimulant that treats various disorders of the digestive system and strengthens stomach function. It is a bitter relaxant herb that acts as a tonic and improves digestion; relieves stomach pains, gastroenteritis, and flatulence; calms diarrhea and vomiting associated with indigestion; stimulates poor appetite; and alleviates fullness and distension of the abdomen. (Click here for more information on Magnolia Bark)
• Sage promotes good digestion and is considered one of the best remedies for stomach troubles. Sage stimulates the appetite, eases gas pains, removes mucus in the stomach, relieves biliousness and dyspepsia, and is beneficial in digesting foods of all kinds, both savory and sweet. Its "bitter" component stimulates upper digestive secretions, increasing bile flow and pancreatic function, and it is said to keep the stomach, intestines, kidneys, liver, spleen, and sexual organs healthy. (Click here for more information on Sage)
• Thyme acts as a digestive aid that supports the gastrointestinal system. The bitter principle in Thyme relaxes the smooth muscle of the stomach, relieving all kinds of stomach upsets (with particular influence on flatulence by calming the stomach and releasing entrapped gas). It is also used to alleviate chronic gastritis, lack of appetite, enteritis, dyspepsia, griping (the sharp pains and grumbling usually associated with trapped gas or diarrhea), indigestion, irritable bowel, and colic. (Click here for more information on Thyme)
• Turmeric Root has a long history as a warming herb that stimulates the digestive tract. Its mild aromatic properties have been used for thousands of years to stop stomach irritation. The exact mechanism is not entirely understood, but modern research confirms that the herb does protect gastric mucosa, helping to ease indigestion and other digestive problems. It is known to reduce intestinal gas formation and acts as a fine carminative, helping to expel intestinal gas. (Click here for more information on Turmeric Root)
• Chamomile is a soothing tonic that is excellent for promoting good digestion and helping the gastrointestinal canal. It is helpful in treating irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, dyspepsia, diverticulosis, and flatulence. As an antispasmodic, it helps to relieve stomach cramps. Chamomile is a natural sedative that has a long history of use as a tranquilizer. Modern science claims that it does indeed soothe frayed nerves, because it actually slows down the central nervous system. (Click here for more information on Chamomile)
• Lemon Balm is often referred to as "the calming herb." It relieves dyspepsia, colic, gas, upset stomach, indigestion, and stomach cramps (particularly when related to nervous tension). Lemon Balm's calmative qualities have made it a fine choice by herbalists to relieve irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), stopping the spasms and relieving the pain and cramps associated with the disease. In addition, although it is strong enough to ease spasms, it is not so strong as to cause constipation. Lemon Balm has been used for thousands of years as an effective calmative that is good for all kinds of nervous problems, including tension headaches, migraines, neuralgia, hysteria, nervous tension, stress, anxiety, excitability, heart palpations (resulting from anxiety), and agitation. (Click here for more information on Lemon Balm)
• Marshmallow Root is an old-time remedy for gastrointestinal disorders, strengthening the digestive system, because it contains polysaccharides that form a protective layer on the stomach lining and will lower stomach acids. The herb is frequently used to treat ulcers and colitis. Marshmallow Root's particular excellence involves soothing irritated tissue, and it relieves various forms of inflammation, especially of the mucous membranes, since it is high in mucilage, which is very soothing to the membranes. It aids the body in expelling excess fluid and mucus. (Click here for more information on Marshmallow Root)
• Onion is excellent for the digestive system and will combat gastric infection and relieve intestinal gas, upset stomach, and gastrointestinal pains. Onion's infection fighting properties will also help to expel intestinal parasites, and it has long been used as such in Amish folk medicine. Onion is believed to relax people, and many claim that taking Onion will help provide a good night's sleep. (Click here for more information on Onion)
• Rosemary is an effective aid to good digestion and relaxant. It gives strength and tone to the stomach, stimulates digestion, and relaxes the smooth muscle of the digestive tract, which helps to calm upset stomach, ease cramps and spasms in the intestines, alleviate flatulence, dyspepsia, and relieve bloated feelings. Rosemary is thought to be particularly helpful in treating indigestion caused by anxiety. Rosemary calms and soothes the nerves, relaxes muscles, eases pain, and reduces tension and anxiety throughout the body. (Click here for more information on Rosemary)
• Cayenne is an overall tonic that is said to build up resistance to illness, sore throats, sinus infections and colds. Cayenne is called a carrier or catalyst herb that increases the efficacy of almost every other herb or herbal combination. Cayenne is an overall digestive aid that stimulates the production of gastric juices, clears excess mucus from the stomach, helps to alleviate stomach ulcers from within, improves the appetite, and relieves nausea from seasickness. (Click here for more information on Cayenne)
