This digestive tincture is the most utilized tincture in my home remedy cabinet. It’s easy to make and effective for various digestive issues like bloating, IBS, and general digestive support.
Digestive Bitters For Gut Health
In today’s diets, bitter tastes are often overlooked in favor of sugar or salty flavors. Bitter herbs like dandelion leaves, frisee lettuce, rosemary, orange peel, and coffee can have significant benefits for digestive health.
These herbs help increase digestive secretions throughout the digestive tract. Starting with the tongue, bitter herbs stimulate saliva production, aiding digestion all the way down. They also stimulate bile flow from the gallbladder to support the digestion of fats.
Aromatic Herbal Blends
In addition to bitters, aromatic herbal teas and remedies containing mint, fennel, and black pepper can also support digestion. These herbs have strong volatile oils that signal smooth muscles to relax and promote proper digestion by calming the nervous system.
Herbal Tincture Ingredients
This digestive tincture blend includes peppermint, ginger, and fennel.
Peppermint
Peppermint is not only delightful in mint chocolate chip ice cream, but it also has soothing properties for the digestive system. While beneficial for upset stomachs and nausea, mint can trigger heartburn in individuals prone to acid reflux. Mint also offers antiviral activity and can help with flu symptoms by balancing and stimulating the nervous system.
Ginger
Ginger, known for its circulation-stimulating properties, is effective for cold and flu support. It can alleviate nausea, motion sickness, and morning sickness. Fresh ginger is gentler on sensitive stomachs than dried ginger and may possess anti-inflammatory benefits, particularly for conditions like arthritis. Research has shown ginger’s effectiveness in reducing nausea and vomiting post-surgery, due to seasickness, and during chemotherapy.
Fennel
Fennel, or Foeniculum vulgare, is another valuable herb for digestion. Its gentle nature makes it suitable for all ages, including infants. Fennel can ease spasms, alleviate colic and constipation, and act as a carminative to release trapped gas in the intestines. However, caution is advised during early pregnancy.
How to Use the Digestion Tincture
This digestion tincture can be beneficial for various issues such as nausea, indigestion, heartburn, morning sickness, and stomach bugs. Adjust the mint content if heartburn worsens. Identifying the root cause of digestive problems is essential for long-term relief. Diet modifications can aid in healing gut dysfunction, while other issues like colic may require further evaluation for oral ties or nervous system disturbances.
Pregnancy and Nursing
Fennel tea is generally safe during pregnancy, but caution is advised with fennel tincture due to potential estrogenic effects. Fennel can help increase milk production and soothe digestive issues in nursing mothers. Mint can alleviate pregnancy-related nausea but may exacerbate heartburn later on. Peppermint should be used in moderation during nursing to prevent a reduction in milk supply. Chamomile is a safer alternative for pregnant individuals.
Consult with a healthcare provider before using any herbal remedies during pregnancy or nursing.
Babies and Children
This remedy is suitable for children and infants. It can be applied topically for colic and gas relief or headache discomfort. Additionally, it can be helpful for digestive issues caused by unhealthy food consumption in children. Adjust dosages accordingly for children and infants.
How Much Do I Take?
Adults can consume up to 1 teaspoon of the tincture in water or tea. One dose is typically sufficient for heartburn, indigestion, or nausea, but additional doses may be necessary. Pregnant individuals can start with 1/2 teaspoon in the morning for morning sickness and adjust as needed. Children require smaller doses, typically 10-20 drops, while infants can benefit from a few drops rubbed on their tummies.
Always consult with a healthcare provider before using herbal remedies, especially if pregnant, nursing, or managing a medical condition.
Digestion Tincture Alcohol Strength
Most homemade tinctures utilize 80-proof alcohol, but a 50-60% alcohol strength is optimal for this tincture blend. Dilute 95-proof alcohol with distilled water in a 2:1 ratio to achieve the desired alcohol content. Store the tincture in glass dropper bottles in a cool, dark place.
Experiment with this digestion tincture and share your experience! Feel free to suggest additional herbs for digestive support in the comments.
