Herbal Remedies Alleviate many Digextive Complaints

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Herbal Remedies Alleviate many Digestive Complaints

JoAnn Guest

Jan 11, 2006 09:22 PST

 

 

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.

 

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

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 those

experiencing kidney problems.

 

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:

 

What could be causing me to suffer from heartburn and indigestion?

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

simply provide " symptomatic " relief?

 

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)?

 

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.

--

What are the main causes of acid reflux?

---

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

in 'fiber', filled with chemicals, additives, simple sugars

and " refined " carbohydrates.

 

A diet of processed, refined, devitalized foods does not contain

sufficient " enzymes " necessary for digestion. Furthermore,even

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, (even decaf), alcohol, tobacco, carbonated beverages, and

chocolate further aggravate digestive problems. Tomatoes and citrus

fruits may also be problematic.

 

---

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.

 

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 simply 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 the 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 short term but may lead to even more

heartburn eventually.

 

Stomach acid is 'required' for good mineral absorption, especially

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.

-

OTHER 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, use

digestive enzymes with each meal.

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

Various types of antacids interfere with the 'absorption' of

various 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, might

substantially decrease 'zinc' absorption.

Finally, calcium antacids impair the absorption of manganese and

" chromium. "

---

Safe and effective relief from indigestion and acid reflux is

available.A dietary supplement containing digestive enzymes is

important for anyone who wants to optimize the digestion and

assimilation of cooked food.

 

Effective digestive formulas contain ingredients such as amylase,

invertase, glucoamylase, protease, malt diastase, cellulase,

peptidase, lipase, lactase and acid-stable protease.

 

Researchers have also discovered that dietary and supplementary

ingestion of Lactobacillus species (friendly bacteria) such as L.

acidophilus, L. bulgaricus, and L. bifidus support the body

nutritionally and play a therapeutic role as well.

These Lactobacillus species produce enzymes that aid in the

digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

 

---

If you have food allergies, sampling processed foods can seem a lot

like playing a game of Russian roulette and you're left wondering:

Which one will trigger a reaction this time?

 

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 reaction. "

Antibiotics and other drugs may also have this same effect.

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

" Peyer's patches " are important as well.

---

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

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 the information emanating from the drug companies that

make antacids and H2 blocker drugs,

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;

too " little " acid in the stomach.

 

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

and ''decreased absorption' of important vitamins and minerals

inevitably 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) may be 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 to Drugs--

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

 

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. Also, if you have digestive problems, be sure to eliminate

gastrointestinal

irritants, such as tobacco, NSAIDS, coffee 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, soup

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.

 

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

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

relief.

 

Fresh organic pineapple, 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.

 

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

Digestive Cocktail:

--

Every one of the ingredients in this tasty dessert contains

significant amounts of stomach-soothing anti-ulcer compounds.

 

 

Pineapple

Blueberries

Ground cinnamon

Ground cloves

Ground ginger

Raw Honey (optional)

Unripe Bananas

 

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

vary depending on how many people you're serving and which fruits

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

blueberries.

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

generous) and sweeten with honey (if using).

 

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

blending blueberry juice, pineapple juice, an unripe banana and the

spices

listed above. Garnish each serving with a peppermint sprig.

 

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

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, but I

think that you might 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

of

The combination of honey and ginger in particularly effective. In

addition to the antibacterial compounds, that are

available from ginger, 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 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 that sell herbs.

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 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 as raw cabbage, green tea,

garlic 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 is wise to avoid 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 also 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 while pure salicylates do indeed *cause* ulcers,

whole Madowsweet helps " prevent " and " treat " them 'despite' its

salicyate content.

 

Other chemical compounds in whole meadowsweet, among them tannins,

phenolid glycosides and the herbs essential oil, give it an

antiulcer effect.

 

Hoffmann unflinchingly maintains that meadowsweet is one of the best

digestive herbs and recommends it for ulcers and heartburn.

This makes sense to me.

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 would be cautious when

using this herb though, as its also a powerful laxative,. If you

experience diarrhea, cut back the amount you're taking or

discontinue use altogether.

 

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, he 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 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 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, 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, Raw

Brown rice

Black Walnut

Kelp

Peppermint oil (enteric coated)

Yarrow

Organic Yogurt

Organic Papaya

 

 

 

 

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.

 

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 upset 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.

 

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 the package

directions.

 

 

DyspepsiKola

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

tincture, which I guarantee tastes 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 flatulence the beans

could generate.

 

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

Both of these fruits contain enzymes (proteolytics) 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 some

figs, after meals. If I had chronic indigestion, I might have these

fruits for dessert more often.

 

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. I

have more than 500 carminative entries, including all of the plants

mentioned here. 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, 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.

 

Assorted essential oils.

 

Aromatherapists often recommend a few whiffs of a number of

different carminative oils to settle a troubled tummy,

including aniseed, basil, bergamot, camomile, cinnamon, clove,

coriander, fennel, garlic, ginger, hyssop, juniper, lavender, lemon,

lemongrass, onion, peppermint, rosemary, sage, savory, tarragon and

thyme.

Do not ingest these oils, though, as some of them can be fatal in

even small doses.They are meant to be used externally

 

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjoguest

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest