Natural Remedies for Indigestion
With the holidays coming up, I thought it might be helpful to list some of the remedies I’ve found to be the most pleasant and effective in dealing with an upset stomach. There can be so many rich and special treats available over the next couple of months, it can be hard not to overdo it.
One of the best and handiest remedies I know, which was passed along to me by my acupuncturist Frank Campanale, is to take extract of anise. You can buy anise extract in the spice section of the grocery store and keep it on hand. It needs, of course, to be real anise, not a flavored substitute, and it must be pure anise extract. But it’s easy to find. Pour yourself a few ounces of water in a glass and add one-third capful of the anise to the water. It will turn cloudy but will have a nice licorice taste. It’s amazing how much it can help to settle your stomach from overeating!
If you’d rather try a homeopathic approach, my favorite homeopathic manufacturer, Bioenergetics, makes a remedy called Intestinal Drops. You can obtain them by calling 1-800-334-4043. Just take ten drops under your tongue. You don’t have to worry about eating or drinking anything before or after with these drops. You can also take them every fifteen minutes until you obtain relief; I usually find that just a few doses will take care of me.
A technique called, I believe, The Crane (I read about it in a reference book I can no longer locate), can also help. You lie down on a bed or sofa and place your hand on your bare tummy (if you need to, you can do it over your clothing, but it works better on bare skin). Starting with your fingertips near your bellybutton, rub gently in a clockwise motion, widening your circle with each pass, so that you move your fingertips in a spiral toward the outside of your stomach and abdomen. You really don’t need to press hard at all; in fact, it’s better to use a touch that’s light, even loving to your sweet tummy (which takes so much abuse from the mainstream media).
In a pinch, you can always take some bicarbonate of soda in a glass of water; mix half a teaspoon of baking soda in 4 ounces of water and drink.
Another remedy that also works for both nausea and indigestion, is to take a few whiffs of essential oil of Peppermint or Ginger. Use medicinal quality oils to achieve the best effect; these can be purchased from Original Swiss Aromatics. Just unscrew the cap and wave the vial under your nose while you inhale.
Also, drinking wine with meals (unless you go crazy) can help most people to digest rich and/or fatty food more easily. Isn’t that great?!
And of course, if you can, try to practice moderation in the first place. I often have to remind myself that just because I like something a lot, I don’t have to eat a lot of it. If I slow down and savor a small amount and really pay attention to eating it, I enjoy it just as much and don’t suffer afterward.
At the same time, I’m also of the opinion that even moderation should be practiced in moderation. Feasting is a time-honored human tradition and a way of celebrating whatever good fortune we might enjoy (and an excellent excuse to go to a bunch of trouble to cook things we usually only enjoy once a year). So if you do overindulge, having these simple remedies on hand can make this aspect of your holidays much more pleasant.
P.S. I’ll discuss heartburn in a separate post sometime soon.
Above: Flowers in a friend’s garden. I call this picture, “Flower Riot.”
Wednesday, November 11, 2009