Welcome to my monthly newsletter! Thank you for reading, whether you just joined our email list or have been reading for years.
Before I introduce our topic for this month, digestive health, I want to give some well-deserved kudos to my wonderful team of herbalists that I currently have at Herban Wellness: Michele, Taylor, and Lara. I know many of you have had a chance to interact with them over the last many months, especially while I've been spending less time at my shop. I am putting more energy into the wellness center that I am collaboratively creating with a business partner. More details will be coming soon about that! But, in the meantime, each member of my team are talented herbalists in their own right, and I hope you'll take a moment to read the biographies and see the photos of my team on the Herban Wellness website: HERE
One of the most common things people come into Herban Wellness for is digestive support, whether it's for the occasional digestive discomfort, such as after eating a heavy meal or food poisoning, or for chronic acid reflux, gas & bloating, or healing inflammation after the discovery of food allergies/sensitivities. Fortunately, herbs have a lot to offer when it comes to digestive maladies, which is even better when you consider how little conventional medicine really has to offer chronic digestive complaints.
Herbs can be very useful tools for digestive imbalance, and they can support the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines in a variety of ways.
Read my brief article on Digestive Herbs HERE
And read on for other information on herbal products for digestive health.
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Tea of the Month: Tummy Tea
A lot of people experience occasional indigestion. For others, a sluggish digestive tract, gas or bloating, or acid burning sensations are a daily occurrence. This blend of herbs includes some of the best for reducing inflammation, soothing irritated tissue, helping to calm and relax the digestive tract, ease bloating and gas, and generally promote healthy digestion. It can be used as needed when you've eaten too much, or feel sluggish and bloated, or it can be used daily on an ongoing basis to improve digestive function. It is a great tea to drink post-meals for promoting improved digestion.
Steep 1 Tablespoon per cup of hot water for 10-15 minutes and drink 1-3 cups/day as needed.
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Tummy Tea |
Contains:
meadowsweet, anise seed, orange peel, fennel, cinnamon, yarrow, marshmallow root, & ginger.
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Herb of the Month: Wormwood
This is a plant with a lot of lore around it, largely because of its use in a popular alcoholic drink in Europe, called Absinthe. In particular, Van Gogh, the famous painter, was a big absinthe consumer, and when he began to have some mental health issues, people thought perhaps it was the large amount of absinthe, and the thujone it contained, he was consuming. However, others point out that he was inhaling and touching lead-containing paint, so many suspect this may have been the major reason for Van Gogh's insanity later.
The Latin name is
Artemisia absinthium, and it contains a monoterpene constituent called thujone that if consumed in high amounts, can cause hallucinations and liver toxicity. Because this monoterpene and its effects have mostly been studied from the essential oil, it has been concluded that it is in much lower amounts in the dried herb and in a water preparations, such as a tea infusion. However, for short term use as a tincture, it is also considered safe, for no more than 4 weeks at higher doses consecutively.
The
common name of Wormwood really tells of one of its most useful medicinal actions, which is dispel worms and other intestinal parasites. It is a bitter herb that stimulates digestion and can help with weak or sluggish digestion. It is also purported to have potent anticancer properties, particularly in vitro.
I generally recommend people take a capsule or tincture of this herb, since it is so intensely bitter. But if you are up for it, a tea is a good option, and can be combined with other digestive herbs to enhance the effects. If you are taking it for its bitter stimulating effects on digestion, then tasting it via a tincture or tea is optimal.
For parasites, it's generally 2 capsules or 2 dropperfuls of the tincture 2x/day for 2 weeks, then 1 capsule or 1 dropperful 2x/day for another 2 weeks.
I often recommend combining Wormwood with Black walnut hull capsules or tincture, so it that case you would take half as much Wormwood, and an equal amount of Black walnut.
For the bitter digestive effects, you could take 1 dropperful in a little water 10-15 minutes before meals or after meals as needed.
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Classes Posted
We have a couple of upcoming free talks, including a talk Katya will be offering at the Bastyr Herb & Food Fair on May 20th, entitled: "Drink Your Weeds: How to Use Common Tonic Herbs to Nourish" from 1-2 pm. Read more about the Fair HERE
Free talk this Thursday evening on creating a simple Herbal First Aid kit.
Sleep, Relax, & Heal with Herbal Nervines
(Thursday, June 22nd)
Herbs in Topical Skincare: Creams, Salves, & Lip balms
(Saturday, June 3rd)
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Thank you for reading and for your interest in herbal medicine and natural health! I wish you all great health and that we can continue to serve your herbal needs. As always, if there is something that you do not see here, do not hesitate to call or email (or stop in) and ask!
We have included a coupon at the bottom of this newsletter as a thank you.
In Health,
Katya Difani
Herban Wellness
103 Lake St. S
Kirkland, WA 98033
206.330.2171
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Featured Product:
Bitter Digestive Drops
Certain bitter-tasting herbs have a very beneficial effect on digestion, helping to stimulate the production and release of digestive fluids, including enzymes and bile. These herbs are best taken before meals in a little water to promote better digestion. When used regularly, "bitters," as we call them, can help you more thoroughly digest your food, including fats, as well as promoting regularity and ease.
Contains:
Artichoke leaf, Gentian root, and Fennel seed in a base of water and alcohol.
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Featured Product:
Wormwood
This herb is a great digestive bitter, renowned for its ability to help dispel intestinal worms and other parasites, as well as likely helping balance other flora in the intestines. It also can help with weak, sluggish digestion.
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BUY HERE
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Featured Essential Oil:
Peppermint
A truly multipurpose essential oil to have on hand, peppermint is classically used to help aid digestion, ease gas & bloating, and to help with sluggish, weak digestion and that over-full feeling after a meal. It can be added to honey (1 drop!) and consumed or add one drop to a carrier oil such as jojoba oil and rub on the belly. Inhale deeply to ease digestion, open the sinuses and lungs, and help ease a headache. Massage one drop diluted in a carrier oil such as jojoba oil on temples (well away from the eyes) for headaches and tension.
Peppermint oil is also antibacterial, so can be added to a mouth rinse or in skincare to help fight infection.
Please keep in mind that essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts. One drop is the equivalent to 10+ cups of the herbal tea and they are NOT water soluble. Dilute when applying topically, and consume with care.
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Featured Product:
Tummy Drops
This is my go-to blend to settle any sort of "upset stomach" or indigestion. I try not to leave home without it!
Take straight in the mouth or in a little water to help with feeling overly "full," for gas & bloating, and to help with intestinal discomfort or cramping.
Contains: fennel seed, peppermint, wild yam root, and peppermint essential oil in a base of water and grain alcohol.
BUY HERE
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Featured Product:
Digestive Support Fiber Blend
A blend of healing, soothing herbs useful for inflamed stomach or intestinal issues. It can help with acid reflux, heal the mucosal tissue after an intestinal issue or food allergies, and help lubricate for softening the stool and helping ease elimination.
Contains: Marshmallow root powder, Slippery elm bark powder, Milk thistle seed powder, and Burdock root powder.
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