5 Herbs & Spices for Better Digestion

Overate this holiday season? Don’t worry! It's easy to beat holiday bloat and improve digestion when eating the right foods. Try these herbs and spices that fight bloat and you’ll be feeling great in no time!

1. Fennel has a slight black licorice flavor, but don’t let the taste turn you off because its health benefits are huge. (Plus, many people don't even notice the black licorice taste.) This herb is beneficial for many types of digestive issues such as gas, bloating, menstrual cramps, stomach cramps, and even contributes towards weight loss.

How to use it: Add the stems to your green juice or shred the bulb over a salad.

2. Ginger is a very popular medicinal herb. It’s pretty spicy, so start out slowly. It can be used for nausea, upset stomach, gas, and even bloating. Ginger helps move food from your stomach to your intestines OR helps move food through the digestive process to ease digestion and avoid irritation.

How to use it: Add 1/2 inch in your green juice or grate 1 tsp. into 8 oz of lemon water. There's no need to peel it for juice so long as you wash it well.

3. Cinnamon is a quintessential fall spice due to its wonderful aroma. Many use it for its ability to help moderate blood sugar, which in turn helps combat candida (the overgrowth of yeast in the body which can cause many problems). But cinnamon is great for easing discomfort caused by excess gas and overeating.

How to use it: Bring 8 oz. of water to a boil and place 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon or 1 cinnamon stick in the water. Allow to cool enough to drink, pour into a cup and enjoy.

4. Parsley is not only great at easing digestive issues, this herb is also chock-full of nutrients like beta-carotene and vitamins A, C and K. Many studies confirm parsley’s ability to help with digestion, and detoxification comes from the reason it’s green  — Chlorophyll.  So, the next time your plate is garnished with a sprig of parsley, take a bite and put that parsley to good use!

How to use it: Eat a sprig or two of parsley after a big meal, or add it to a recipe.

5. Cayenne Pepper is a spice for those who like things hot! Cayenne is often found in salsas and sauces to turn up the heat. This spice is great for digestion as cayenne circulates blood flow and helps move food  through the body, allowing critical nutrients to be absorbed.

How to use it: Add 1 dash of cayenne pepper to a warm glass of lemon water and drink slowly.

What do you eat to detox after the holidays? Tell us in the comments. 

Sarah O’Toole is a healthy eating specialist over at CookingWithCSA.com. Check it out to learn more about seasonal produce and plant-based recipes.

This post is solely for informational purposes. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for medical advice. Before undertaking any course of treatment or dietary/health changes, you should seek the advice of your physician or other health care provider.