How many times, after large meals, especially if repeated such as during the holidays, it happens to feel heavy, with a feeling of nausea and bloating. All signs that you have overloaded your digestive system. Here are some ideas on herbal teas to make in order to get back fit, to detoxify the body, to help the liver and to reduce inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
Ginger, lemon and lemon balm herbal tea
The combination of ginger, lemon and lemon balm helps digest better and is useful in case of bloating and a feeling of fullness. In fact, ginger helps in case of slow digestion, indigestion, flatulence and nausea (Bodagh et al, Food Sci Nutr, 2019), lemon balm is antispasmodic, useful against abdominal cramps, even those of nervous origin (Vejdani et al, Dig Dis Sci, 2006) while lemon is anti-inflammatory, counteracts colitis and nausea and helps to alleviate reflux and heartburn (Tinh et al, Foods, 2021 - Klimek-Szczykutowicz et al, Plants, 2020). The herbal tea is very easy to prepare. Bring a glass of water to a boil, remove from heat and add 1 cm of peeled and sliced ginger. Leave to infuse for five minutes, then add a teaspoon of dried lemon balm and the zest of half an organic lemon. Let it rest for another ten minutes, then filter and drink.
Java tea
Java tea is also known as Orthosiphon, a plant from the Lamiaceae family. The herbal tea obtained from this plant is characterized by interesting diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties, useful for detoxifying the body from uric acids and reducing excess sodium (Ashraf et al, J Pharm Bioallied Sci., 2018 - George et al, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med., 2015). Not only that, Java tea is also appreciated for its ability to protect the liver and reduce cholesterol, blood sugar and heartburn (Ashraf et al, J Pharm Bioallied Sci., 2018). Bring a cup of water to the boil, remove from heat and add a teaspoon of dried leaves. Leave to infuse for ten minutes, then filter and drink.
Fennel
Fennel has important digestive and aperitif properties, therefore useful in stimulating the production of gastric juices by preparing the digestive system to receive food (Valussi et al, Int J Food Sci Nutr, 2012). Not only that, fennel protects the liver and helps keep blood sugar at bay, it is carminative and counteracts gastritis (Badgujar et al, Biomed Res Int., 2014). You can consume raw fennel, added to salads, but also pure, as a delicious appetizer or snack. Fennel, used in this way, stimulates digestion and counteracts a swollen belly. The herbal tea of fennel seeds is also excellent, useful in case of stomach ache, slow digestion and flatulence (Badgujar et al, Biomed Res Int., 2014). Bring a cup of water to a boil, remove from heat and add two pinches of fennel seeds. Then, as the great French herbalist Messegue suggests, you can also add some mint leaves, useful in case of irritable bowel syndrome, digestive problems and nausea (Chumpitazi et al, Aliment Pharmacol Ther., 2019). Leave everything to infuse for ten minutes, then filter and drink.
