By Lonika Sood, M.D., M.H.P.E., F.A.C.P., F.H.M.
ESFCOM Clinical Education Director for Internal Medicine
The holidays are coming upon us – and that can mean only one thing…. Food, and lots of it. Drawing from my Indian roots (and the 5000-year-old ancient art of Ayurveda), I am sharing with you the historical uses of some herbs, that have been known to aide in digestion:
Turmeric; known as an anti-inflammatory compound, can help in aiding digestion. It can be found in a capsule form or powder can be mixed in warm milk.
Ginger; also known as an anti-inflammatory, can help support digestion, prevent nausea, reduce feelings of cold, and alleviate coughing. Boil root in water and drink as tea.
Fennel; has been known as a digestive aid. It can help with milk production in lactating mothers and is a natural breath freshener. Fennel seeds can be chewed after meals to prevent feeling bloated.
Coriander; has been known to be effective in reducing heartburn and flatulence. Coriander seeds when roasted and crushed, can be used in a stew or curry recipe.
Cardamom, popularly used in Indian chai, has been known to help reduce stomach acidity and reduce bloating. Crush seeds in boiling water, or better still in chai.
Please note: this is not medical advice, and any questions around their use should be discussed with your healthcare provider. These herbs can usually be found in the spice aisle of your local grocery store.
Lonika Sood is the Clinical Education Director for Internal Medicine at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking Indian food with her family.