Can you suggest some natural remedies for upset stomachs?
Use common kitchen herbs as ingredients in stomach ache remedies to soothe and relieve digestion discomfort.
Your cupboard is likely stocked with stomachache remedies that don’t involve an over-the-counter purchase at the pharmacy. Common kitchen herbs – from cumin seeds to peppermint leaves, and even orange peels – can help us resolve digestive discomfort while nourishing the body with vitamins and minerals. The ingredients in each of the following teas will foster digestion in the moment, and used over time, they’ll continue to strengthen and tone the digestive system. Just as importantly, they taste so good you’ll look forward to drinking them after a meal!
Cumin, Coriander, and Fennel Belly Well Tea
Cumin, coriander, and fennel are all “carminative” herbs that aid digestion and soothe the gut. While they help with the physical act of digestion, bringing increased blood flow and energy to the digestive tract, I’ve learned through use over time that this combination can also help settle a stomach that’s upset from nervousness or stress.
Additionally, while this tea isn’t a strong laxative, years of client work have confirmed that it can help move the bowels, especially if the constipation is caused by nervousness or a stressful event, such as travel. I’ve also observed that this is a good tea to use for children’s bellyaches and mild constipation, as children are amenable to the flavor and gentle effects. Yield: 2 cups.
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) seeds
- 1 teaspoon fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) seeds
Bruise the cumin, coriander, and fennel together with a mortar and pestle. Put spices and water in a pot with the lid on. Bring to a boil and then turn off the heat. Let sit for 30 minutes with the lid on. Strain the spices from the tea, reheat, and enjoy. Drink 1/2 to 1 cup when your stomach isn’t feeling well. The tea is good for 2 days.
After-Dinner Mint Tea
This tea calls for peppermint, lemon balm, and lavender. Rich in aromatic volatile oils, these mint-family herbs also have carminative properties. Yield: 2 cups.
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon dried peppermint (Mentha x piperita) leaves, or 2 teaspoons fresh
- 1 teaspoon dried lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) leaves, or 2 teaspoons fresh
- 1/2 teaspoon dried lavender (Lavandula spp.) leaves, or 1 teaspoon fresh
- Put water, peppermint, lemon balm, and lavender in a pot with the lid on. Bring to a boil and then turn off the heat. Let sit for 30 minutes with the lid on.
- Strain the leaves from the tea. Reheat or consume at room temperature. Drink 1/2 to 1 cup as needed.
Orange Peel Tea
Did you know orange peels can help with sluggish digestion, gas, bloating, and nausea? In addition to bioactive compounds that support the gastrointestinal system, citrus peels are one of the most concentrated sources of pectin, a carbohydrate that nourishes beneficial bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract.
One of my favorite things about orange peel tea is that you probably won’t need to buy the peels – you can simply save the peels from your oranges. If you’re going to do this, of course, you’ll want to make sure the fruit is organically grown so you’re not ingesting synthetic pesticides.
To dry the peels, simply eat your orange and then break the rind into dime-sized pieces. Let them sit out at room temperature on a screen until they’re crispy, and then put them in a jar in your spice cabinet. Yield: 2 cups.
- 2 cups water
- 4 tablespoons chopped fresh orange, or
- 2 tablespoons dried and chopped
- Prep your peels. If you’re using fresh orange peels, chop them into 1/4-inch-sized pieces. If you’re using dried, crush them a little with a mortar and pestle. Place chopped or crushed orange peels and water into a pot with a lid on it and bring to a boil. Immediately turn off the heat and let the orange peels steep for 30 minutes.
- Strain the peels as you pour the tea into a teacup or pitcher. Enjoy the tea warm or at room temperature! The shelf life of this tea is about 2 days if kept covered in the refrigerator.
