Mint & Chamomile: Natural Aid for Digestive Discomfort

Have you ever wondered why many restaurants give mints following your meal?

Mint was brought to the New World as medicine to treat digestive problems, but due to its wonderful flavor, it was eventually transformed into the sweet treat we
enjoy today. Unlike some natural remedies, mint tastes magnificent, it works quickly, and it's easily accessible in many forms.

Take for instance, Peppermint, essential oils within act as carminatives, preventing gas and bringing speedy relief to bloating after a heavy meal. This crisply flavored herb is also a diaphoretic thats very useful in assisting with cold and flu formulas, as it aids in lowering fevers and combating minor cases of nausea. The essential oils of the peppermint plant are equally powerful, acting as an antiseptic, useful for any form of kidney and/or urinary infections.

Another useful herb with very similar qualities and even more digestive health benefits is Chamomile. Much like Peppermint, Chamomile, contains anti-inflammatory properties with the added benefit of bitter qualities. Bitters assist the entire digestive system during and after a meal, increasing digestive production and stabilizing the digestive system as a whole. Chamomile, like other bitters, can have a calming effect, reducing stress and anxiety while regenerating the nervous system. Chamomile tinctures and teas can be useful to those who are stressed or overextended, by providing a soothing effect.

So, the next time you visit a restaurant and are offered a mint upon finishing your meal, you can smile knowing not only will your breath feel fresher, but your stomach will be welcoming an old friend. When you return home, consider preparing a cup of Chamomile tea, served with a touch of honey or sprig of mint, treating your stomach and your body to a wonderfully calming night cap to relax and help you to fall into a restful sleep.


Yours in Good Health,
Eric Rodriguez, MH CCI
The Culpeper House