We all know the feeling; we get a little queasy or bloated, there’s a tight knot in the pit of our belly or those nervous butterflies. Sometimes, our body rejects whatever we just ate, other times, nervousness and the body’s response to occasional stress can show up as symptoms in our gut, as everything in our body is interconnected.

THE BRAIN AND THE GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM ARE DIRECTLY LINKED IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE.

When you experience psychological responses, such as an occasional stress response, it can influence the digestive system’s primary function and lead to abdominal discomfort. Our gut is like a second brain that produces its own set of chemical messengers in the digestive process. When digestion is disrupted, it sets off alarms to the nervous system. This exacerbates the symptoms of our stress or “fight or flight” response. If you are busy and run down, it is important to recognize this unique relationship between the gut and our brain as it can offer insight and guidance to your overall health and well-being.

WHETHER FOR A NERVOUS BUTTERFLY STOMACH, THE OCCASIONAL UPSET TUMMY, GAS OR BLOATING, THE FOLLOWING HERBS CAN BE HELPFUL: 

1. Chamomile: Many people know chamomile for its calmative power and the gentle support it offers the nervous system. Not everyone knows that this familiar flower embodies very similar qualities. when it comes to healthy digestion.  An aromatic and carminative bitter, it’s soft, buttery, and calming qualities are soothing to the body and mind.  This may help if occasional stress or worry are causing you digestive discomfort. Because of chamomile’s gentle taste, it is loved by most–from kids to elders to the common picky eater! Chamomile is excellent for occasional gas and bloating and relieves the discomfort of nausea associated with pregnancy. Like other bitter herbs, a few drops of a tincture can be taken after meals in the case of occasional heartburn.

2. Ginger: Ginger is a warming carminative that has a long history of soothing the occasional upset stomach. Herbalists use ginger to support sluggish digestion and occasional nausea. Ginger kindles the fires of digestion and alleviates occasional gas, bloating, and nausea.

3. Peppermint: The herb’s essential oil contains menthol, a volatile substance that supports the digestive tract’s smooth muscle.  It helps soothe an occasional nervous, upset stomach.

4. Dandelion: The root extract makes for an excellent digestive bitter and a traditional bitter for supporting a healthy digestive system.

We take digestion for granted, but it’s not an easy task. The use of the lovely and common herbs will help support the process. Let’s be real, couldn’t we all use some extra help these days.