Digestion Secrets for Nutrient Absorption and Energy

Posted by Emma on Sep 2, 2011 in Acupuncture, Blog, Conscious Living, Health, Nutrition, Traditional Chinese Medicine | 0 comments

Article from: http://acupuncture.com/newsletters/m_sept11/digestsecrets.htm

By Maoshing Ni, Ph.D., D.O.M., ABAAHp, L.Ac.

To live like a centenarian, one of the key ingredients is maintaining healthy digestion. When your digestion runs smoothly, you get the maximum nutrients from your food, which keeps your body functioning in peak condition. Keep your digestion on track with one simple habit: drink 1 cup of tea every day. If you practice consistently, by the end of the month, you will have a new habit that will pave the way for a long and healthy life!

Drink One or More Cups of Herbal Tea Everyday

Here’s why: We live in a culture marked by poor diet and digestion–and the poor health and short life span that go with it. Your body obtains necessary energy and nutrients from food. However, our cells cannot absorb these nutritional benefits unless the food has been digested, or processed and converted into a useable form. Sometimes particles of undigested matter can adhere to the inner intestine, which can prevent our body from completely absorbing the nutrients in our food. Certain herbs that contain natural digestive enzymes have been used for centuries to help promote healthy digestion; in fact, in many healing traditions, herbal teas are taken on a daily basis as medicine.

Top Digestive Tea Picks

These herbal teas will keep your digestive system running smoothly and help you get the most from your food. For best digestive benefits, try drinking one of these teas an hour after every meal:

• Peppermint has many well-documented properties: it increases healthy gastric secretions, relaxes the intestines, soothes spasms, settles the stomach, and alleviates gas.
• Gentian, a bitter herb with a long history of use for its digestive benefits, stimulates digestive juices and increases pancreatic activity and bile production.
• Licorice is thought to have soothing and anti-inflammatory actions that help relieve gastro-intestinal irritations.
• Ginger has been found to soothe the stomach’s digestive lining and balance gastric juices. Also, it facilitates better absorption of nutrients and better elimination of wastes.
• Chamomile is another excellent herb for settling the stomach. It also soothes the nervous system and relaxes the muscles, making it a perfect choice for the evening, an hour before bed.
• DIY Super Digestion Blend: make from the fresh herbs in your kitchen. Steep 1 teaspoon each of basil, cilantro, mint, oregano, rosemary, and sage in 1 quart of hot water; save the rest for later.
• Not your cup of tea? If tea is not your beverage of choice, you can get similar digestive benefits from drinking a glass of heated water with a lemon squeezed in it. First thing in the morning, this lemon-water “tea” will help to cleanse and move the roughage that stays behind in your intestines. Another option? If the flavor of tea seems a bit bland to your palette, try adding a twist of lemon, a sprig of mint, rosemary, or a handful of fresh basil for an aromatic flavor burst. To add sweetness, use a little honey, stevia products, or a stick of cinnamon.

Bonus tip: Abundant Energy is an herbal blend supplement that stimulates digestion, which in turn improves nutrient absorption and encourages physical vitality.