Well, in this fast-paced world, where we find less and less time for ourselves, we are bound, in spite of best efforts and intentions to get into less than optimal situations for eating the best stuff let alone taking the time to eat it properly. We end up with stressed out bellies and sometimes just need a little something to settle them down, help them detox, digest, and generally just be comforted.
NOTE: The following is not meant to stand in place of any medications you may be taking for pre-exisitng conditions, nor is it a miracle cure. It has not been evaluated be any doctor or nutritionist. It’s just something I make for myself after a lifetime of experimenting with the elements of a perfect belly-soothing tea to help slow things down and mellow out those grumbly, icky, stressed tummy feelings.
Upset Belly Tonic
What You Need:
- 8-12 oz hot water
- 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano (while Oregano Oil is extremely powerful in healing, the leaves and flowering stems of the plant are strongly anti-septic, anti-spasmodic, and aid in indigestion, stomach upsets, and painful menstruation conditions)
- 1/4 teaspoon dried cinnamon or cinnamon stick (cinnamon has been used in traditional medicine for digestive ailments such as indigestion, gas and bloating, stomach upset, and diarrhea)
- 1/2 teaspoon honey (too much will not help you relax, in half an hour you will be jumping up and down, so this is just to help sweeten)
- 1/2 organic lemon (really, it should be organic, far more nutritious and filled with flavonoid, a composite that holds antioxidant and anti-cancer properties and helps to prevent diabetes, constipation, high blood pressure, and indigestion among other things.
- Chamomile tea – either 2 tablespoons loose leaf or a teabag of simple chamomile. German chamomile is preferred. (soothes stomach aches, eases the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, promotes elimination, and assists in overall digestion, menstrual cramps and restful sleep)
- 1/2 inch of sliced fresh ginger (reported to alleviate symptoms from morning sickness, motion sickness and heartburn)
What You Need To Do:
Slice ginger into thin slices.
Place place all ingredients except honey into a teapot, then pour water over them. Squeeze lemon into pot. Let steep 5-7 minutes. Pour and add honey if desired.
This will prove a welcome tonic to aid in digestion, flatulence or otherwise mildly upset stomach.
Note, this might make you sweat just a little. Ginger may raise your body temperature a touch, but in these moderate doses it is unlikely to do so to a degree that will induce sweating. Also, do not add too much oregano as it, along with ginger, is an expectorant. These small amounts should help to calm even the most upset stomach, given that it is only a passing problem. If you have consistent heartburn, lightheadedness that accompanies heartburn or otherwise, you should consult a doctor. Again, please use common sense.