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Escape the Dangers of Antacids - Resolve Heartburn Naturally

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Escape the Dangers of Antacids - Resolve Heartburn Naturally

By Terry Dorian, Ph.D.

CBN.com -- The number of people who suffer from heartburn is

estimated at 100 million. By offering symptomatic relief to sufferers, the antacid business has become a three billion-dollar industry.

Antacid medications are sold without offering consumers vital

information concerning the causes and complications of heartburn and

digestive problems.

Over 25 million Americans take antacids twice a week. Even more take

prescription drugs on a daily basis to find relief for heartburn and

indigestion.

The dangers of antacids:

Using antacids may cause damage to the lining of the esophagus

(e.g., precancerous ulcers).

Biochemists report that one of the long-term side effects of

blocking acid production is a compromised immune system; hydrochloric acid is an essential component in the completedigestion of food and protects the body from pathogenic bacteria.

"Calcium-based" antacids (e.g., Tums) may damage the kidneys if

taken over a long period of time.

"Magnesium based" products (e.g., Mylanta and Maalox)

and "aluminum-based" products (e.g., Rolaids)

should not be taken by anyone experiencing kidney problems.

(moderator's note: Aluminum based antiacids may increase your

risk of Alzheimer's as well!)

Antacids do not "heal" the tissue that has been inflamed or injured

by stomach acid.

Before treating acid reflux and indigestion with drugs, consumers

ought

to ask their health professionals four questions:

1. What could be causing me to suffer from heartburn and

indigestion?

2. Will the treatment that you are recommending heal my body or will

it

simply provide symptomatic relief?

3. Will I experience side effects from the product(s) that you

recommend

and will I be in any danger as a result of consuming the product(s)?

4. Can you recommend any natural healing therapies that would

resolve my

problems safely and effectively?

If your health professional is not able to recommend safe and

efficacious ways to treat acid reflux and chronic indigestion, you

may

want to begin searching for one who can.

One way to find a medical doctor who is competent in recommending

natural therapies is by contacting the American College for

Advancement

in Medicine www.acam.org.

ACAM will provide a list of licensed medical doctors in your

location

who have been trained in prescribing natural therapies. Another

source

of help is the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians

(AANP) at

1-206-298-0125. Naturopathic physicians undergo rigorous training in

natural therapies.

--------------------http://www.cbn.com/living/health/dorian/heartburn.asp ----------------

What are the causes of acid reflux?

The chief cause of digestive problems is a diet high in fat and low

in

fiber, filled with chemicals, additives, simple sugars and refined

carbohydrates. A diet of processed, devitalized foods does not

contain

sufficient enzymes necessary for digestion. Furthermore, minimal

processing and heating "destroys" the "enzymes" that are vital for

complete digestion.

Antacids actually "shut down" digestion.

In order to build health and avoid digestive problems, we need to

optimize digestion and heal the inflammation caused by acid reflux.

Coffee, alcohol, tobacco, carbonated beverages, and chocolate

further

aggravate digestive problems. Many sufferers are even bothered by

tomatoes and citrus fruits.

Some drugs used to treat other diseases have a relaxing action that

affects the esophagus muscle and "increase" the problems associated

with

acid reflux

(e.g., tricyclic antidepressants and nitroglycerin medications).

--

Terry Dorian, Ph.D., wife, mother, author, radio/television

personality,

and popular conference speaker, is considered one of the most

discerning

health researchers on the scene today. To find more articles on this

and

other topics visit her online at

www.healthbeginsinhim.org

or write

drdo-.

=========================================================================================================================================Post subject: GERD

---

GERD stands for Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease. "Gastro" refers to

the

stomach. Esophageal refers to the esophagus, the tube that carries

food

from the mouth to the stomach.

Reflux means to back-up or flow backwards. GERD is a condition in

which

partially-digested food in the stomach backs up into the esophagus.

Partially digested food contains a strong "acid" like that used in

automobile batteries.

It also contains powerful "enzymes" that break down food.

When acid and enzymes come into "contact" with the esophagus, they

cause

irritation, inflammation, pain, and other symptoms.

The stomach lining has a special protective layer that protects the

stomach from acid attack. However, this protective layer does not

exist

in the esophagus, making it "vulnerable" to damage from stomach acid

and

digestive enzymes.

Many people think that heartburn (or acid indigestion) is a separate

disease. It actually is one symptom of GERD.

Heartburn is an unpleasant burning sensation under the breastbone

that

usually occurs after a meal.

Most individuals with GERD also have hiatal hernias , which make it

easier for stomach contents to reflux into the esophagus.

A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach bulges into the

chest

cavity through an opening in the diaphragm . The diaphragm is a

sheet of

muscle that separates the stomach cavity from the chest cavity.

=========================================================================================================================================

Doctors started using the term "GERD" in the 1980s because it better

describes the real problem -

reflux of irritating stomach contents into the esophagus.

GERD is becoming the preferred medical term for these conditions.

Last Reviewed: 2002 by Guy Slowik, M.D. =========================================================================================================================================

Post subject: Herbal Solutions for Common Digestive Complaints

---

Biochemists report that one of the long-term side effects of

blocking acid production is a "compromised" immune system;

hydrochloric acid is an essential component in the complete

digestion of food and protects the body from pathogenic bacteria.

Calcium-based antacids (e.g., Tums) may damage the kidneys if taken

over a long period of time.

Magnesium based products (e.g., Mylanta and Maalox) and aluminum-

based products (e.g., Rolaids) should not be taken by anyone

experiencing kidney problems.

---

 

COMMON PROBLEMS WITH ANTACIDS:

---

 

CALCIUM CARBONATE AND ACID REBOUND-

Calcium carbonate is especially fast-acting. Within a few hours,

however, the body will overcompensate by producing an extra "surge"

of acid.

PROBLEMS WITH SODIUM BICARBONATE:

When used for long periods of time, sodium bicarbonate can cause

increased acidity throughout the body.

Highly acidic body chemistries (systemic alkalosis) are involved in

health problems such as arthritis, kidney stones, nausea and mental

confusion.

 

ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE AND BONE LOSS:

Antacids containing aluminum can contribute to phosphate deficiency

when used for long periods of time.

This is because the 'phosphate' in food 'reacts' with the 'aluminum'

in the antacid to form a solid material that is passed in the

stool.

In order to keep enough phosphorus in the blood, the body will take

it out of bones.

Bone "demineralization" is especially a problem for older people

who tend to use these products regularly.

 

ALUMINUM AND IMPAIRED MENTAL FUNCTION:

Although the FDA and manufacturers say that "aluminum" in 'antacids'

is not "absorbed', studies since 1986 have shown that it IS,

especially in

cases of kidney problems and in the presence of "acidic" foods such

as

citrus fruits or soda pop.

There is increasing evidence that aluminum is involved in

Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Lou Gehrig's

disease and some other nervous system problems.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

Stomach acid is "required" for good digestion. Poor digestion

produces heartburn.

People with heart-burn take antacids.

Antacids reduce stomach acid. OOPS --- then you experience even more

heartburn.

Stomach acid is required for good mineral "absorption", including

calcium & magnesium. Calcium carbonate antacids "neutralize" the

stomach

acid "needed" for their absorption.

The stomach's job is to "produce" and hold digestive acid and

enzymes.

When antacids are used regularly, the stomach senses this and over

time, increases its acid production "rate" set point.

Taking antacids to "reduce" acid can lead to the "production" of

*excessive* acid and even more discomfort.

-

SIDE EFFECTS OF ANTACIDS:

Use of antacids can cause bowel "irregularities" including

constipation, nausea and diarrhea with occasional vomiting.

They can lead to kidney stones, 'demineralization of bones', bone

pain and muscle weakness with cramping.

They can be counted on to produce "malabsorption' of' minerals'.

The list of diseases that have been associated with low gastric

acidity include, but are not limited to:

Anemia, arthritis, asthma, autoimmune diseases, celiac disease,

dermatitis, diabetes, eczema, gallbladder problems, hepatitis,

lupus, osteoporosis, psoriasis and problems with over- and under-

active thyroid glands.

To avoid these and other low stomach acidity problems, utilize

digestive enzymes with each meal.

This section was Originally published in the The H. E. L. P.,

Natural Health Newsletter and edited by Kay Lubecke, B.A., M.S.

Certified Herbalist and Nutritional Counselor

------------------------------

Different types of antacids can interfere with the absorption of

essential minerals.

---

 

Any antacid can "interfere" with the *absorption* of iron, zinc, and

possibly other minerals by "neutralizing" stomach acid.

Aluminum-containing antacids can bind with phosphorus and interfere

with its absorption, and this can further lead to

calcium "depletion".

Antacids that contain calcium may also "compete" for absorption with

iron.

Calcium antacids may alter the *absorption* of magnesium.

Calcium-containing antacids, when taken with zinc supplements, may

substantially decrease 'zinc' absorption.

Finally, calcium based antacids (i.e. Tums, etc) "impair" the

absorption

of manganese and "chromium."

(minerals essential for glucose metabolism)

---

 

The pancreas produces and secretes various enzymes (called

"proteolytic enzymes", including trypsin, chymotrypsin,

carboxypeptidase, and so on) that break down proteins into smaller

components called "amino acids".

These substances, in turn, help "create" other enzymes, hormones and

body tissue for growth and repair.

If the pancreas doesn't 'neutralize' the acid coming from the

stomach with "bicarbonates", the proteolytic enzymes (the ones that

break down food protein) are destroyed.

This can result in incomplete or "foreign" protein molecules

being absorbed into the "bloodstream" and circulating throughout the

body.

Your body's "immune system" naturally "attacks" these molecules.

This series of events is the basis for your "allergic food

reaction."

-------------------------------

"Peyer's Patches" and Fat Metabolism

---

 

The *lymphatic* system has "representatives" in the digestive tract

called Peyer's patches and they perform an important function.

These clumps of lymphatic tissue are spread throughout the small

intestine.

*Fat* molecules, unlike other nutrients, are generally too

"large" to be absorbed directly from the intestine.

So they are 'absorbed' by these patches and transported along the

lymphatic system and then released into the blood stream where they

can

be carried throughout the body.

Between 80 to 90 percent of all the 'fat' absorbed from the gut

requires the help of the "lymphatic" system

-------------------------------

Contrary to what the huge drug companies that make antacids and H2

blocker drugs say, excessive 'acid' production is almost 'never' the

reason for heartburn, acid digestion or ulcers.

In fact, it is now estimated that up to one-third of all bleeding

ulcers are caused by taking "NSAID" drugs such as aspirin and

ibuprofen.

Antacids and H2 blockers "alleviate" symptoms for a short while by

buffering acid and decreasing acid secretion, but can actually

'aggravate' the underlying problem; which is too "little" acid in

the

stomach.

With 'chronic use' of these medications, digestion is 'compromised'

and ''decreased' absorption of some vitamins and minerals may

result.

---

 

- A few years ago, if you asked your physician what causes ulcers,

he or she would promptly reply that too much stomach acid was to

blame. Now we know that a spiral-shaped bacteria called Helicobacter

pylori (H. pylori for short) is the primary culprit.

It 'suppresses' acid 'production' and "creates" holes in the

stomach's

protective mucous layer, allowing acid to seep through and burn

holes in the delicate tissue underneath.

An H. pylori infection can also cause symptoms of indigestion and

heartburn.

--------------------------------

Natural Alternatives

--------------------------------

Licorice extract (deglycyrrhizinated licorice or DGL) -is a

wonderful herbal healing aid.

It increases the production of "protective mucus" in the stomach.

Use

300 mg four to six times a day.

If you have digestive problems, be sure to eliminate

gastrointestinal "irritants", such as tobacco, NSAIDS, coffee,

pharmaceutical drugs and alcohol.

---

 

Alternatives to Heartburn Drugs:

Eating a balanced diet of unprocessed, organic whole foods is your

foundation for a healthy stomach.

Eat an organic green salad or raw

organic vegetables at least once a day.

To help increase stomach acid, drink a glass of room temperature

water a half-hour before eating. If that doesn't help, you can add a

tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.

If neither of these solutions work, try taking a betaine

hydrochloride

supplement (HCI) with your meal.

Since stomach acid production declines as we age, HCI

supplementation can be a good anti-aging strategy.

Natural heartburn therapies include deglycyrrhizinated licorice

extract or DGL. Try one or two 380 mg tablets on an empty stomach,

three to four times a day.

A glass of room temperature water, raw cabbage or potato juice

(organic) or herbal teas, (lukewarm, no lemon) can bring quick

relief.

Fresh organic papaya or banana can help as well.

If you do need to lower your stomach 'acidity' you can use a form of

organic sulfur called MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) in supplement

form, 1,000 mg daily.

Remember, your stomach "acid" is one of your front line defenses

against harmful bacteria.

"Suppress" it and the rest of your systems have to work "overtime"

to

protect you.

--

Earl L. Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D is a best-selling author in the field

of health and nutrition.

This excerpt is from his latest book,

"Prescription Alternatives" co-authored with Virginia Hopkins.

------------------------------

Digestive Cocktail:

Every one of the ingredients in this tasty dessert contains

significant amounts of stomach-soothing "anti-ulcer" compounds.

 

Pineapple

Blueberries

Fresh Ginger Root (grated)

Raw Honey

Unripe Bananas

Cut up the bananas and pineapple, the amount and proportions will

vary depending on how many people you are serving and which fruits

you like the best. Place them in a serving bowl and add the

blueberries.

 

Season to taste with organic cinnamon, cloves and ginger (try to be

generous) and sweeten with raw honey (if using).

If you like, you can also make a between meal drink by

blending orgahic blueberry juice, pineapple juice, a banana and the

organic spices listed above. Garnish each serving with a peppermint

sprig.

=========================================================================================================================================Ginger is well known for its anti-inflammatory activity, but it is

considerably less known as an herbal treatment for Indigestion.

In fact, ginger contains 11 compounds that have demonstrated "anti-

ulcer" effects.

These chemical compounds are a real mouthful,however you may find it

interesting to know just how much

anti-ulcer chemistry can be "concentrated" in a single humble spice.

Here they are in order, from most to least abundant: 6 shogaol, 6

gingerol, 8shogaol,

8 gingerol, 10 gingerol, ar-curcumene, beta-bisalene, 6-gingediol,

betases quiphellan-drene, 6 gingerdione and 6 paradol.

Eating ginger root is a pleasant tasting treatment for ulcers,

according

to Paul Schulick, New England herbalist and author.

The combination of honey and ginger in particularly effective. In

addition to the antibacterial compounds, that are

available from ginger, raw honey has "antibacterial" action, and the

two

together seem to produce "synergistic" effects.

=======================================================================================================================================Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) –

German physicians have always been more open to herbal medicine than

doctors in the United Sates, and they have researched herbal

alternative extensively. Commission E, the body of scientists that

advises the German counterpart of the Food and Drug Administration,

approves licorice as a "digestive aid".

This recommendation is based on the medical traditions of Asia, the

middle east and Europe, plus literally dozens of scientific studies.

Licorice root contains several compounds, including "glycyrrhizin

acid".

Licorice and its extracts are safe for normal use in moderate

amounts,

up to about three cups of tea a day.

It is better to use a slightly processed form of the herb called

deglycyrrhizated licorice

(DGL). In one good study, DGL was at least as effective in speeding

healing as the newest class of pharmaceutical drugs

called 'histamine'

blocking agents that were designed to do this.

DGL also seems to protect the digestive lining from aspirin's "ulcer

promoting" effects.

Commercial licorice preparations containing DGL are readily

available in natural food stores which offer herbal products.

If you have digestive problems, this is the preferred form of

licorice

to take, but clearly some of the "power" of the herbs is lost with

the

lost glycyrrhizin.

If you'd like to take licorice from time to time, as an ulcer

preventive. When you're brewing some other herbal

tea, add a little licorice.

Licorice by itself makes a sweet, pleasant tasting tea, and when

added to other teas, it serves as a sweetener.

H. pylori virus is linked to the rising risks of *stomach cancer*,

so

you must take these conditions seriously.

=========================================================================================================================================Unripe Banana--

Bananas are an old folk remedy for many gastrointestinal problems

because they sooth the digestive tract. And studies with

experimental animals suggest that bananas do, in fact, have a

soothing

effect on the stomach.

One researcher noted that bananas may be another useful addition to

such well established "anti-ulcer" foods such as raw cabbage, green

tea,

garlic dried beans and legumes.

Raw Cabbage juice—

is a hallowed folk remedy for ulcers. It turns out that cabbage and

its juice contain considerable amounts of two compounds with anti-

ulcer activity, glutamine and S-Methyl-methionine.

 

Melvin Werbach, M.D. assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at

the University of California, Los Angeles, school of medicine and

author to the excellent nutritional influences on illness, cites a

study of people with digestive ailments who were given raw cabbage

juice

as a treatment.

Ninety-two percent showed significant improvement within three weeks

compared with 37 percent of those taking a placebo without cabbage

juice.

In studies of just the active compound glutamine, daily doses

of 1,600 mgs proved more effective than conventional antacids in

treating ulcers.

The folk recommendations for digestive problems is to drink one

quart of raw cabbage juice a day.

---

Calendula - -

Calendula, sometimes known as pot marigold, has antibacterial,

antivirus and immune stimulating properties.

Calendula has been shown to alleviate symptoms of chronic stomach

inflammation which doctors call "hypersecretory gastritis.

Clinical trials in Europe have proven its effectiveness.

You can make a tea with the dried herb or take a tincture. I

personally enjoy a cup or two of tea made with about five teaspoons

of fresh calendula flowers. It is especially good with lemon balm

It wise to go easy on alcohol if you have an ulcer.

Finnish researchers have discovered that alcohol abuse increase the

risk

of H. pylori infection by 500 percent.

Fennel tea would be fine -- as would anise, chamomile,

coriander or caraway tea.

There are other herbs that have a reputation as carminatives for the

intestinal tract -- but fennel is the one I recommend most

frequently.

 

Chamomile—

several herbalists I admire recommend chamomile tea,

notably Rudolf Fritz Wiess, M.D. the dean of German medical

herbalists, and author of Herbal Medicine.

He writes that`the remedy of choice for digestive ailments is

chamomile. …there can be no other remedy more tailor-made, including

all

synthetic products.

Widely used as a digestive aid in Europe, chamomile is uniquely

suited

to treating digestive ailments, including ulcers.

This is because it combines anti-inflammatory, antiseptic,

antispasmodic

and stomach soothing properties.

 

Pineapple--

Like cabbage, pineapple is fairly well endowed with "glutamine", a

compound useful for digestion.

Pineapple also contains "bromelain", a most effective digestive aid.

 

Bilberry and blueberry--

Both of these fruits contain compounds known as "anthocyanosides".

In studies with experimental animals, these compounds have been

shown to

offer significant protection against ulcers and other digestive

problems

 

They help stimulate the production of mucus that "protects" the

stomach

lining from digestive acids.

=========================================================================================================================================Meadowsweet--

Like willow bark, meadowsweet is a type of "herbal aspirin". Aspirin

in high doses causes ulcers, so it might seem strange to recommend

it as an ulcer treatment.

Many prominent herbalists do, however among them British herbalist

David

Hoffmann author of several good herbals including

"The Herbal Handbook".

The active compounds in meadowsweet are "salicylates".

Aspirin, on the other hand,-- is nothing but salicylates.

Hoffmann says that 'synthetic' salicylates do indeed *cause* ulcers.

On the other hand, "Whole Meadowsweet" -

helps "prevent" and "treat" them 'despite' its natural occurrring

"salicyate content".

Other chemical compounds in whole meadowsweet, among them tannins,

phenolid glycosides in addition to this herbs essential oil, tend to

give it an "anti-ulcer" effect.

Hoffmann unflinchingly maintains that "meadowsweet" is one of the

best

"digestive herbs" and recommends it for ulcers and heartburn.

Several plants with proven anti-ulcer effects,

including chamomile,

also contain salicylates.

Rhubarb--

In a Chinese study of 312 people with bleeding ulcers, rhubarb

helped improve some 90 percent within a few days.,

I'd be careful when using this herb though, as its also a powerful

laxative,.

If you experience diarrhea, it would be wise to cut back on the

amount

you're taking.

Turmeric--

This culinary herbs used in Indian and Asian curry dishes, might be

called the poor persons ulcer treatment.

In a good study by

physicians in Thailand, turmeric (250 mgs capsules three times

a day) "relieved" ulcer pain as well as pharmaceutical

antacids.

 

Red Pepper--

Many Americans believe that hot spices cause ulcers.

The truth is, they don't.

In fact, they may even "protect" the stomach and duodenal

lining against them. Capsaicin, the compound that gives red pepper

the heart helping properties, has been shown to "reverse" the damage

in experimental animals that were given high, "ulcer causing" doses

of

aspirin.

Gentian—

this is one of several 'bitter' herbs traditionally used to aid

digestion. Commission E reports that the 'bitter' compounds in

gentian stimulate the flow of saliva and stomach secretions.

Garlic--

Garlic is a potent, broad spectrum antibiotic. Paul Bergner, editor

of Medieval Herbalism suggests that those who are wary of

pharmaceutical antibiotics for ulcer treatment might want to try a

course of garlic therapy.

This would involve eating nine raw garlic cloves a day. You can chop

the garlic and mix it with any food that makes it palatable, such as

carrot juice.

Try blending two raw cloves of garlic with one organic carrot,

for instance, I tried it and the combination tasted better than I

thought it would.

It's a painless way to take a couple of cloves of garlic.

You can also try whipping up an antic-ulcer gazpacho, heavy on the

garlic and red pepper.

Cabbage soup:

You'll have to do a little experimenting to arrive at a flavor that

pleases you. If you try the optional spices, use them sparingly,

they are delicious in cabbage soup.

The flavor is rather exotic.

3 cups water

2 cups shredded cabbage

2 cup chopped celery

1 cup diced organic potatoes

½ cup chopped okra

1 cup diced onions

½ cup chopped green pepper

Ground red pepper

Ground ginger

Ground black pepper

Ground cinnamon

Ground clove

Dried licorice root

Place the water, cabbage, celery, organic potatoes, okra, onions,

and

green

pepper in a soup pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, Reduce the

heat, cover and simmer until the vegetables are tender. Season to

taste with the red pepper, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon cloves and

licorice.

Other Useful Supplements & Herbs:

Fennel

Alfalfa

Aloe Vera Juice

Celery

Brown rice

Black Walnut

Kelp

Peppermint oil

Yarrow

Organic Yogurt

Organic Papaya

Proteolytic Enzymes

Acidophilus

=========================================================================================================================================Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

How about ginger as an herbal alternative to cimetidine (Tagamet),

ranitidine (Zantac) and famotidine (Pepcid)? It would sure taste a

lot better!

There are hundreds of herbs that can help soothe a troubled tummy.

Here are several that I recommend.

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita).

Commission E, the German group of scientists that makes

recommendations on herbal safety and effectiveness, considers

camomile

"effective" for relieving many gastrointestinal complaints,

including

indigestion.

Andrew Weil, M.D., professor at the University of Arizona College of

Medicine in Tucson and author of Natural Health, Natural Medicine,

says that the best "home remedies" for the stomach are camomile and

peppermint tea.

Personally, I prefer peppermint, but both are effective.

While drinking camomile tea is fine, the tincture is probably more

effective.

Camomile tea has only 10 to 15 percent of the herb's carminative

essential oil, while tinctures prepared with 100-proof alcohol have

much more.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita).

Most herbalists, myself included, have a special regard for

peppermint's ability to relieve indigestion. I've needed peppermint

more often since 1990, when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

gave me a bad case of indigestion by ruling that peppermint is

ineffective for stomach distress.

This does not mean that peppermint is useless.

Frankly, it means that the FDA's evaluation was useless.

Commission E endorses peppermint tea for treating indigestion.

Given a choice between an FDA pronouncement and a Commission E

endorsement, I'd go for the German decision.

Those folks did some research and really know what they're about.

Peppermint tea works well, but I'm also partial to mint juleps,

which, it turns out, work even better. Varro Tyler, Ph.D., dean and

professor emeritus of pharmacognosy (natural product pharmacy) at

Purdue

University in West Lafayette, Indiana, notes that most of the

carminative oils in peppermint and other mints are relatively

insoluble in water.

As a result, mint tea doesn't contain much of the plant's

stomach-soothing constituents. It does contain enough to make it

effective, but a peppermint tincture, which is made with alcohol,

contains more.

So if for some reason you don't want to drink a julep, you can use a

tincture instead. Follow package directions.

=====================================================================================================================================

If I had frequent bouts of indigestion, I'd mix up some of this

tincture, which I guarantee tastes much better than Mylanta.

I have no recipe, so I just mix my herbs according to what I happen

to have on hand. Here are the herbs I include:

a dash each of angelica, anise, camomile, coriander, fennel, ginger,

rosemary and turmeric with two dashes of any of the mints,

especially

marjoram and peppermint.

It's okay to leave some out and to alter the mixture to suit your

personal tastes.

Steep these herbs overnight in the refrigerator in a mixture of

alcohol and water (one shot of vodka per cup of spring water). You

can

drink this as a tea or add some to pineapple juice.

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum).

No wonder coriander helps soothe indigestion: Its essential oil is

carminative, antiseptic, bactericidal, fungicidal and a muscle

relaxant.

Traditional herbalists valued coriander, especially to

counteract the stomach-upsetting properties of laxative herbs such

as buckthorn, cascara, rhubarb and senna.

In Amazonia, wild coriander (Eryngium foetidum), with nearly the

same

chemistry, is added to the daily bean ration, perhaps to alleviate

the

"flatlence"the beans could generate.

papaya (Carica papaya) and pineapple (Ananas comosus).

Both of these fruits contain "enzymes" (proteolytic enzymes) that

break

down protein.

Naturopaths and people who advocate juicing for health,

among them medical anthropologist John Heinerman, Ph.D., author of

Heinerman's Encyclopedia of Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs, maintain

that papaya and pineapple juice are good for relieving indigestion.

If they're right, you should also get benefits from eating other

fruits that contain "proteolytic enzymes",

such as kiwifruit or figs, after meals.

If I had chronic indigestion, I might have these fruits for dessert

more

often.

=========================================================================================================================================Red pepper (Capsicum, various species).

Americans often believe that hot spices upset the stomach. But much

of the rest of the world knows better--that hot spices like red

pepper

help "soothe" it.

Red pepper also "stimulates" digestion.

 

 

Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis).

South African physicians recommend rooibos (pronounced roo-ih-bus)

tea as an effective stomach soother that's gentle enough to treat

infant

colic, according to the late economic botanist Julia Morton, D.Sc.

(Dr.

Morton, author of some of the best books in the field,

including "The

Atlas of Medicinal Plants of Middle America", was killed in a car

crash

in 1996.

It is a great loss for everyone involved in the study of

medicinal plants.)

Unfortunately, rooibos is available in only a handful of stores in

the

United States.

==========================================================================================================================================Assorted carminative herbs.

If anything, there are too many herbal carminatives.

Most are supported by research.

Also included are agrimony, allspice, apples, basil, bay, beebalm,

buckwheat, burdock, caraway, cardamom, catnip, celery, chervil,

chives, cloves, coriander, cumin, dill,

fennel, garlic, horehound, hyssop,

lemon balm (also known as melissa), lemongrass, lovage, marjoram,

nutmeg, onions, oregano, papaya, parsnips, pennyroyal,

rosemary, sage, savory, tarragon, tea, thyme, turmeric, vanilla and

yarrow.

Feel free to try any of these herbs to relieve indigestion.

 

My Religion is simple. My religion is kindness~The Dalai Lama

 

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