Natural remedies are useful in the event of temporary difficult digestion, caused by a virus, an overly copious meal, a disorder, an intolerance… Detailed review of the best, easy to use, with Amélie Mounier, naturopath.
the juice lemon has a carminative effect : it stimulates intestinal motility, salivary secretions and digestive juices“it thus facilitates digestion and helps to release the congestion felt. Drink half a warm lemon juice (40°C) as soon as you feel discomfort, or in the morning on an empty stomach to clear the overload in the event of a heavy meal” recommends the naturopath.
“We will choose the baking sodalocated in the food section, and not the household cleaner” immediately specifies the naturopath. To avoid making mistakes, baking soda is usually packaged in a container such as a salt shaker. “Bicarbonate is interesting for its alkalizing buffer effect in case of acid reflux, bloating. It will “absorb” the acidity and alleviate the feelings of nausea. He is used occasionally, 1 teaspoon in a glass of water taken slowly before eating, advises Amélie Mounier. A tip for better digesting legumes: cook them with 1 teaspoon of baking soda. “The bicarbonate is used in low doses and for a short time, over a few days. At high doses it becomes irritating. Also pay attention to its high sodium content. ! Pregnant women, children under 5, people with hypertension, heart or kidney problems should refrain from consuming it.“.
Coke should not be considered a cure. “It is too chemical a product whose presence of gas brings gas back into the digestive system. The presence of sugar or aspartame is also not a friend of the digestive system.n” warns the naturopath. So we forget it!
L’garlic is full of virtues. “Consumes rather raw than cooked, it is antispasmodic, lowers the level of lipids in the blood, and the level of cholesterol. It is rich in fructans which facilitate the development of good bacteria in the intestines. But he is poorly tolerated by people with sensitive intestines, shade Amélie Mounier. It is therefore preferable to turn to garlic capsules, or fresh garlic which is very digestible”, but available for a short period in June and July, unless the stomach is really too sensitive.
Charcoal is a good sanitizer for the body. “It captures what obstructs: gases, relieves bloating and flatulence.” It exists in capsule or in powder to be diluted in water (1 teaspoon). “You have to make sure you take it between meals and at least 3 hours away from medication, pills, supplements… insists the naturopath. It is not recommended for children because it constipates and could block the evacuation. Finally, it often creates discomfort if taken incorrectly or incorrectly dosed “.
L’Green clay facilitates transit and, like vegetable charcoal, “it “absorbs” the gases that clog the intestines and purifies, soothes the digestive sphere.” It is used at the rate of a teaspoon in a glass of filtered or mineral water, to drink ideally in the morning on an empty stomach (preparation in the evening) or after letting it rest for at least 1 hour before ingesting it. “Put the clay using a spoon (not metal) in a glass, pour the water without stirring and leave to stand either overnight or at least 1 hour. Mix everything just before drinking“says the expert. “For sensitive people, it is better to use theWhite clay softer. Also be careful, clay should not be used in case of intestinal obstruction or risk, or in case of severe constipation”.
- Pepper mint : this essential oil (EO) is digestive and has a particular action on intestinal spasms, as well as on dyspepsia (recurrent digestion problems) alone or associated with caraway essential oil. “It can be taken orally: 1 drop on a neutral support (loaf of bread). It is also possible to use it in external massage at the level of the stomach: put 1 to 2 drops in vegetable oil and massage the area. Be careful however not to use it in case of ulcer (in ingestion), in people with epilepsy, pregnant or breastfeeding women, children under 7 years old. It is also dermocaustic, avoid depositing it pure on the skin or mucous membranes such as the mouth.“Caraway is contraindicated in case of cancer.
- tropical basil : the main indications for this essential oil concern the digestive sphere: digestive disorders, colic, abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence. “She is anti spasmodic and decongestant. It is used in local app on the abdomen and where the pain is, diluted 10% in vegetable oil” advise the naturopath. By oral route : 2 drops on a neutral support, 3 times a day for a maximum of 5 days. Do not use it during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and on children under 12 years old (40 kg).
- Lemon : lemon essence helps digestion by stimulating the secretion of gastric juices. It is used at the rate of 2 drops on a neutral support, to be swallowed 3 times a day for a maximum of 5 days. “It is prohibited in case of anticoagulant treatment“ warns our expert.
- Carbo vegetabilis in 7 CH is specific for difficult digestions with distension of the upper part of the belly, gastric flatulence with eructations and sometimes pain in the chest.
- Kalium carbonicum in 7 CH is for people with abdominal distension just after eating, even a little, strong flatulence and nocturnal abdominal pain.
- Lycopodium clavatum in 7 CH is more specific for slow digestion with a weight that remains on the stomach, bloating and stomach pain 2 to 3 hours after the meal.
These homeopathic remedies are taken at the rate of 5 granules before each meal for several months.
Good evening remedies lie in “carminative plants that improve slow digestion (dyspepsia), purify, cleanse by promoting the expulsion of intestinal gas and reduce production. They are to be taken in herbal tealike the lemon balmcarminative and stomachic plant (which acts on gastric digestion), fennel, star anise, peppermint, ginger, cardamom, caraway, green anise, coriander, basil, rosemary, thyme, savory… These plants are often found in synergy in the so-called “after meal” herbal teas. It is also possible to bite into some fennel seeds after the meal. Finally, easy digestion often lies in the choice of food and his behavior. It is necessary toreduce evening mealstake the time to eat, chew well, do not go to bed immediately after dinner, do not drink during the meal because it makes the stomach swell and dilutes the digestive juices. “Must also identify their sensitivity to certain foods or associations that may be indigestible for them. In general, foods high in Fodmap (a group of small carbohydrate molecules – sugar – found in many foods) can trigger gastrointestinal disorders for the most sensitive people. For instance, raw foods, those very rich in fiber, legumes, whole grains, fruits at the end of the meal can be poorly toleratedand bring discomfort during digestion such as bloating, gas, heaviness in the stomach by producing fermentation or putrefaction which alters digestion”, says our expert. Generally, the consumption of sugary products at the end of a meal often leads to great discomfort during digestion. In order to make his dishes more digestible, “add “anti-fermentation” herbs to preparations like thyme, wild thyme, rosemary, savory”. And if you still want to eat legumes but you do not tolerate them well, add a teaspoon of baking soda to the cooking water, or buy them in jars, which are more digestible (because the fibers are discharged into the conservation water)“.
Thanks to Amélie Mounier, certified FENA naturopath, in Vincennes.