Oh, indigestion, how do I hate thee? Let me count the ways. You give me pain, you make me feel uncomfortable, you rob me of sleep, and often you bring me gas. Oh, the burning! Oh, the agony! Oh, the melodrama!
Aromatherapy can help ease the discomfort of indigestion and other stomach upsets. You can sniff, sip, or rub your pains away very easily!
The same herbs that made that meal taste so good can actually help relieve the pain of indigestion afterwards. Sniff some spices from your spice rack — rosemary, sage, anise, dill, cumin, or fennel! The scent will stimulate your stomach to produce digestive acids that will help break down whatever is causing distress in your belly.
Peppermint tea is known for helping ease stomach distress. Peppermint, ginger, fennel, coriander, and dill also help ease gas pains. You can easily find peppermint tea or ginger ale at your local food store! Or if you happen to grow any of these herbs or purchase dried leaves, you can make tea simply by pouring boiling water over a teaspoon of your herb of choice and let it steep for five to ten minutes. Strain before drinking, unless you like chewy bits in your tea. (Those little metal mesh tea strainer balls are helpful in this sort of situation, and you can find them at any kitchen supply store! Put the herbs into the strainer ball to steep and lift it out when you’re ready to drink.)
And there’s nothing wrong with rubbing your tummy when it hurts! Not only are you soothing the offended area, you are also actually encouraging inner movement, helping to break up that lump of supper that just won’t go away. Add a drop of rosemary oil (to improve circulation) or lemongrass essential oil (to ease nerves that may be adding to your digestive distress) to lotion or a carrier oil and rub your poor tummy into a more peaceful state.