Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Herbal teas for a Happy Tummy!

Digestive Aid

 Matricaria recutita (Chamomile flower)
Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel seed)
Zingiber officinale (Ginger root)
  • Preparation type: tea
  • Dosage and Duration of use: 1 tsp of each to 1-2 cups boiling water; drink as needed after meals to aid in digestion or at the presence of digestive upset until it has ceased
  • Instructions on use: boil Fennel seed and Ginger root in water 15 minutes; pour over Chamomile flowers, cover, and infuse for 10-15 minutes; drink when warm
  • Notes: can add raw honey, lemon juice, and citrus peel to the infusion as well
  • Limitations/When to refer for medical help: if digestive upset persists after several attempts at treatment as listed above, seek attention from a health care professional, especially if digestive upset is common and frequent or involves vomiting or frequent diarrhea or constipation 


Heartburn Relief

Filipendula ulmaria (Meadowsweet herb)
  • Preparation type: tea
  • Dosage and Duration of use: 1 tsp to 1 cup boiling water, cover and infuse for 10-15 minutes
  • Instructions on use: drink as needed until heartburn has ceased
  • Notes: avoid consumption of alcohol, caffeine, spicy and pungent foods, as these things both cause and aggravate heartburn
  • Limitations/When to refer for medical help: if heartburn persists after several attempts at treatment as listed above, seek attention from a health care professional; if blood is being coughed up or severe pain is frequent/consistent in chest or abdominal regions

    Contibuted by Laura Mroz, student of Phytotherapy and Tradition Chinese Medicine at Pacific Rim College. 

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