The digestive process plays a major role in our health. During digestion, your food is broken down into nutrients that your body absorbs for energy and proper development and growth.
It also supports and maintains the health and functioning of every single cell, muscle, and organ in your body. It’s also responsible for maintaining the health of your immune system. It is so important that a pregnant woman’s digestive system even affects the development of her unborn baby.
But unfortunately, with the presence of processed foods as well as excess sugar in food and drinks, the health of our digestive system gets compromised every single day. Add to that the daily grind of stress and anxiety, and the levels of healthy bacteria drops to dangerous levels. Some common digestive problems are:
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Acid reflux
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Abdominal pain
Taking care of your gut means maintaining healthy levels of the good bacteria, reducing stress, and eating a well-balanced diet, but unfortunately, things aren’t always that simple.
The good news is that there are many natural ways to maintain a healthy, happy digestive system. One of the best-known treatments is using essential oils, which can play a huge role in sustaining healthy digestion.
They are soothing, calming, and help with the digestive process. They also eliminate bloating and gas, thereby reducing that uncomfortable, painful feeling.
Some essential oils that aid the digestive system
Essential oils are pure therapeutic grade oils extracted from plants, flowers, herbs, and even tree bark. They are nature’s remedy for almost every ailment, and digestive problems are on the top of that list. They’re safe and come with very little, if any at all, side effects. But their health benefits are countless. Here are some essential oils which can bring relief to various digestive problems:
Ginger
Ginger is a root and is known all over the world for its great benefits. It can reduce nausea, upset stomachs, bloating and gas. It helps stimulate the digestive process while soothing the lining of the stomach. The secret behind its ability to reduce digestive discomforts is that it contains high levels of gingerol, a nutrient that is rich in anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Tarragon
The oil derived from this plant has the power to lubricate the lining of the intestinal walls, which helps move the digestive process along. Moreover, it aids in boosts the appetite because of its ability to help out the liver produce bile for better digestion. It also helps with the absorption of nutrients and gets rid of harmful toxins in the gut due to its anti-fungal properties.
Peppermint
Besides being fragrant and refreshing, peppermint is a potent essential oil that relieves nausea, indigestion and gas. It also helps stimulate the digestive process by moving things along.
Its main component is thymol and eugenol, which are wonderful at relaxing the muscles of the stomach walls. This means less gas and a speedier digestive process. These two elements also have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which kill bad bacteria in the gut and lower the risk of irritation in the stomach.
Clove
Clove oil is known to help decrease inflammation of the stomach lining which reduces risk of upset stomachs and slow digestion. Furthermore, it helps comfort and relaxes muscles of the digestive tract. This helps alleviate spasms, bloating, gas and abdominal pain. Similar to peppermint oil, clove oil contains eugenol, which is anti-fungal and works on eliminating bad bacteria from the entire digestive system.
Oil of Oregano
Oregano contains effective anti-fungal and antibacterial components that soothe inflammation in the entire digestive system, as well as the urinary tract, this essential oil is the main ingredient in many digestive medications.
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It helps speed up slow digestion and reduces bloating, gas and abdominal discomfort. In addition, the oil’s anti-fungal properties work great at protecting the intestine from various types of bad bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.
Best ways to use essential oils improve digestion
Aromatherapy
There are a couple of ways to use aromatherapy for aiding the digestive system is through the olfactory nerve within the nose.
– Diffusing the essential oils with carrier oils (vegetable oils, such as olive, coconut, carrot or avocado). This makes it easier for the oils to be most beneficial.
– Simply inhale straight from the bottle.
Topically
Allowing essential oils to be absorbed into the bloodstream is one of the best ways to make the most out of these natural oils. For best results, follow these steps:
- Dilute the essential oil with carrier oil (olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba or avocado oil) as these oils are very potent and should not be applied undiluted directly to the skin
- Apply the oil on the stomach
- Massage in a clockwise direction, which is the natural flow of the normal digestive process. Looking down at your belly button, put your hand right below it, and then move your hand upward and to the right.
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