Delicious dishes are not always easy to digest. Even with a proper diet, bloating, heaviness, or cramps can sometimes occur.
Endocrinologist Zuhra Pavlova explained which herbs and spices genuinely aid digestion and have proven effectiveness.
Mint
Mint has long been used in folk medicine, and now its benefits for the intestines are confirmed by clinical studies. Researchers from Brazil have gathered and systematized the results of some of these studies. Here are the conclusions drawn by the researchers. The main active component of the plant, menthol, relaxes smooth muscles, reducing pain and bloating. However, in cases of reflux, mint is advised to be excluded, as its properties may exacerbate unpleasant symptoms.
Chamomile
Chamomile contains flavonoids and the compound apigenin, which have anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects. According to Zuhra Pavlova and Arab scientists, chamomile tea or extract has the following effects:
- helps with mild stomach disorders;
- alleviates colic and bloating;
- reduces acidity;
- protects the gastric mucosa.
Fennel
Fennel is a favorite spice among dietitians. Its seeds are often recommended to chew after meals, and not without reason. The active substance anethole has antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects, improving intestinal function and helping to eliminate gas.
Caraway
Caraway allows the body to easily digest fats, as it stimulates the secretion of bile and enzymes. In clinical observations conducted by staff at Tehran University of Medical Sciences (Iran), symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome disappeared after just 2 weeks of consuming caraway.
Not for Ulcers and Cholecystitis
According to Pavlova, herbs and essential oils are not an alternative to therapy but an excellent complement to it in cases of mild digestive disturbances.
"Before taking concentrated extracts or essential oils, be sure to consult a doctor—especially if there are chronic diseases," emphasized the endocrinologist.
