This article is intended to make you aware of how important a healthy digestive tract is to your well being. To begin I will explain what causes and contributes to an unhealthy digestive tract.

Poor eating habits, poor food choices, and stress are factors that contribute to a poor digestive system. When people eat fast and don’t take the time to chew their food properly, indigestion can occur. People need to slow down and actually enjoy the flavors, smells, and the various colors of the food they are eating. This will give the digestive system adequate time to actually do its job so food is properly digested.

People also need to be mindful about how much or what they are drinking at meals. For optimal digestion, don’t drink immediately before or after a meal. Cold fluids are something else that should be avoided. Food and liquids are digested best around room temperature. Cold fluids can slow down the digestive process. People also need to become more aware of which foods they are combining at meals. For example, eating carbohydrates with protein almost always sets people up for flatulence and putrefaction in their systems.

How does one know if their digestive tract is unhealthy? Here are some things to look out for when unsure. When people are unable to digest foods, they end up having sluggish elimination, gas, and poor assimilation of nutrients. People may become constipated because, if their bodies are not properly digesting foods, they cannot be eliminated from the body regularly. Many may find they have pain in their stomach area. When people are not eating the proper foods, their bodies cannot break down the foods so they can be appropriately eliminated.    

Now lets look at the roles vitamins, proteins, and fats play in a healthy diet. Vitamins play very important roles in our bodies and diet. Without proper vitamins, disease occurs. We must obtain the proper vitamins from our diet. “If our diet is in balance, our body has the capacity to produce enough of the necessary vitamins needed to maintain health” (Tierra 1980, 1983, 1990, 1998, p. 52).

The role of proteins in the diet is very important. Protein repairs tissues and cells when they are damaged as they normally break down. It also stimulates and keeps body metabolism in good condition. “Higher protein consumption stimulates the release of glucagon from the liver, which commands the body to burn its stored fat deposits” (Tierra, 1980, 1983, 1990, 1998, p. 52).

If a person consumes a great quantity of carbohydrates and highly saturated fats with not enough protein, they compromise key hormonal and metabolic roles that lead to things like an imbalance of cholesterol and fat. Fats are essential to a person’s health. Using quality unsaturated fats and oils such as olive oil, sesame oil, and clarified butter (ghee), in small amounts, actually helps burn stored fat. Fats are very important for the absorption of certain vitamins. “It has been found that a certain amount of fat is essential for the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K” (Tierra, 1980, 1983, 1990, 1998, p. 52). Fat is not only important to a person’s health, it also makes food more appetizing.

I bet many of you have most of what I’m going to talk about sitting in your kitchen cupboards. Let’s look at how regular kitchen spices play a large role in your health. Many herbal spices are carminatives (inhibiting and soothing gas), stimulants, and they assist in good digestion. Many can also be used to ease nervousness and spasms. Various spices can be used to treat problems ranging from bleeding, diarrhea, and headaches, along with heart attacks and acute infections. A few common spices that can be used for medicinal purposes are basil, cayenne, and ginger. Basil can be used as a tea for indigestion, fevers, colds, flu, kidney and bladder problems, headaches, cramps, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and nervous conditions. A few of cayenne’s uses are a daily tonic for circulation and the heart, preventing heart attacks, strokes, colds, flu, lessened vitality, headaches, indigestion, depression, and arthritis. Ginger is considered the most resourceful of the herbal stimulants. It can be used for indigestion, cramps, and nausea.

Now let’s look at which are the appropriate herbs and supplements that support good digestion. “Drink a cup of peppermint or chamomile tea 30 minutes before or after meals” (Gladstar, 2001, 2008, p 94). Swedish Bitters which are a ready made digestive bitter that you can buy at a health food store will aid digestion and help it perform at its best. People can add fresh grated ginger or sprinkles of cayenne to their food or beverages, such as a warm tea. Take a daily supplement of acidophilus. Acidophilus rebuilds weak intestinal flora and can be purchased at any natural food store. Also a mixture of carminative seeds, such as anise, cardamom, cumin, dill, and fennel can be chewed at and between meals. These will help lessen gas and bloating.

For the last part of this information I would like to discuss the appropriate methods of applying herbs. The carminative herbs relieve gas and can be taken as an essential oil capsule or some, such as peppermint oil, can be rubbed on the outside of your abdominal region to relieve cramping and upset stomachs. Herbal bitters can be used to treat upset stomach or excess fullness. Take a spoonful before a meal to promote digestion. Herbs such as ginger and peppermint can be taken as teas. Steep a couple teaspoons of either ginger or peppermint in a glass of hot water for a few minutes and then sip on the beverage slowly. Peppermint is good for bloating and ginger is good for nausea.

These are just a few suggestions to help get you started on your way to having an optimal functioning digestive system. Good luck on your way to better health.