The greatest wonder of modern life is probably how the human digestive system survives the unreasonable treatment it so often endures! Symptoms such as a feeling of uncomfortable fullness, excessive gas, heartburn, nausea, constipation or diarrhoea can be the first few signs that your body is protesting your unhealthy ways.
The term “indigestion” is used to describe the wide range of complaints above. The medical establishment has a more fancy name for it – dyspepsia. That means you have a disordered digestion. Rushed meals, overindulging and stress are often the reasons behind indigestion. Everyone gets them once in a while and it is rarely a serious sign. However, if your bouts of indigestion are chronic, they could signal a more sinister underlying problem. Be sure to let your doctor do a thorough checkup. Peptic ulcer, gallbladder and liver diseases, appendicitis and hiatal hernia are just some of the ailments that can have indigestion as a symptom. The pain of indigestion is easily confused with heart pain (angina pectoris). Heart pain often eases with rest, whereas that of indigestion is generally worse when the sufferer lies down. If you experience sudden, severe indigestion when previously you have been symptom-free, it is important to be professionally investigated for a possible underlying heart condition.
Antacids are popular for indigestion. Unfortunately, by simply neutralizing acid secretion in the stomach leads to further problems in the long run. Herbal medicine takes a rather different approach. Calming herbs like Lemon Balm assists the body in coping with stress, while aromatic herbs such as Ginger and Peppermint ease wind, bloating and nausea. Other herbs like Marshmallow will soothe irritated digestive tract, while Meadowsweet normalize acid levels.
Bitters Make It Better
The term “bitters” refers to a group of bitter-tasting herbs that stimulate digestive processes and restore normal function of the digestive system. The Italians and Swiss are famous for taking bitter-tasting drinks before meals. What do bitters have to do with treating digestive complaints? Herbal bitters can have incredible curative effects. They are known stimulate salivation, regulate release of acid in the stomach and encourage the gallbladder to secrete bile necessary for digestion of fats. There is great improvement in digestion and soon complaints of bloating, gas, aches and pains in the digestive area are a thing of the past. Many natural medicine practitioners believe that good digestion and bowel movements are the foundations of good health.
Natural therapists have known for a long time that many chronic diseases, such as asthma, skin problems, food intolerance or allergies, diabetes, migraine, constipation, anorexia and intestinal infection, originally begin with poor digestive function. It is also reflected in conditions such as anaemia and susceptibility to infections, due to poor assimilation of nutrients.
For people wanting to achieve healthier weight levels, it is interesting to note that regular use of herbal bitters can increase metabolism, reduce food cravings and enhance elimination. These factors may be added to a regular weight-loss programme to make it more effective.
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One way to get your bitters is to eat bitter-tasting vegetables such as kale, mustard greens and bitter-gourd. The other more powerful method would be to take herbal bitters in liquid form. Over the years, I have been recommending a combination of the following bitter herbs with much success – Gentian, Meadowsweet, Dandelion, Artichoke and Barberry. Most traditional formulae also have two other categories of herbs added for synergistic effects. The first is aromatic herbs to “stoke the digestive fires” and to rid bloating and gas. My favourite aromatic herbs are orange peel, ginger and rosemary. However, common spices we so often use in cooking are also effective aromatics (see recipe for Pat’s Chai). The second category is sweet-tasting herbs, added to attenuate the aftertaste of the bitter herbs. That gives the end formula a bittersweet experience! As a sweetener, liquorice is often employed. Interestingly the herb gentian, one of the major ingredients in bitters formula, is by nature bitter and sweet. Occasionally, additional herbs like Cascara (for constipation) or Agrimony (for diarrhoea) is added, depending on individual requirements.
Herbal Bitters
1 teaspoon Gentian root extract
3 teaspoons Meadowsweet leaf extract
4 teaspoons Dandelion root extract
3 teaspoons Artichoke leaf extract
4 teaspoons Barberry root extract
2 teaspoons Peppermint leaf extract
2 teaspoons Orange peel extract
2 teaspoons Liquorice root extract
Take half a teaspoon of herbal bitters
with a little water 20 – 30 minutes before meals.
Pat’s Chai
“Chai” or “cha” means “tea” and is a traditional drink throughout the middle- and far-east. There are variations in flavour and ingredients depending on the region. Some recipes include black tea. This version is caffeine-free and specific for wind, indigestion and nausea.
2 cups water
1 cinnamon stick (2 inches)
4 cardamom pods
¼ teaspoon fennel seeds
2 cloves
¼ teaspoon ginger, roughly chopped
Put all ingredients in saucepan, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. If you like, add a little milk and simmer gently for a further 10 minutes. Sweeten with honey and drink hot.
Patricia Loh is an educator and writer on natural therapies. She is a qualified clinical herbalist and operates a herbal centre in Subang Jaya. Comments and inquiries: herbz@tm.net.my or 03-5631 7751.
THE SUN, INSERTION DATE: 29 APRIL 2003
