What natural remedies for digestion after Christmas?

Foie gras, turkey in sauce, cheese and a buttery log with assorted fine chocolates – a cocktail that’s a blast for the digestive system. After the festivities, it’s very common to suffer from digestive discomfort, bloating, intestinal upsets, acid burn and acid reflux, liver attacks… Here are a few preventive tips to help you treat yourself naturally and effectively during the festive meal period..

How to aid digestion and avoid bloating over the festive period?

Bloating is essentially a sensation of swelling in the stomach, caused by an accumulation of gas in the intestine leading to intestinal distension. Gas comes from the air swallowed when we eat, and from the air contained in food, as well as from the fermentation associated with digestion. Bloating is sometimes the result of difficulty digesting animal fats, certain vegetables, fizzy drinks or milk. To prevent abdominal bloating, it is advisable to eat slowly and to divide your meals, as it is better to eat less at each meal than to eat one large meal. Take a walk after your meal: a fifteen-minute walk stimulates digestion, reducing the formation of intestinal gas. Change your drinks too, avoiding fizzy drinks and chewing gum all the time.

Natural remedies:

1- Sodium bicarbonate

Stomach ache, swollen stomach…Gifrer sodium bicarbonate cleanses and deflates in less time than it takes to drink it. One teaspoon in a glass of water after a meal is enough. And there’s nothing to stop you sprinkling it on your recipes, to aid digestion over the long term!

Sodium bicarbonate, often hailed for its digestive virtues, is a quick and effective solution to tummy aches and feelings of heaviness. This simple compound acts as a natural antacid, neutralising the excess stomach acid often responsible for heartburn and indigestion.

Immediate use to relieve digestive symptoms

For quick relief, a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate in a glass of lukewarm water is all you need. It is recommended that you take it after meals, especially if you have eaten rich or fatty foods that can slow down the digestion process and cause bloating. Sodium bicarbonate reacts quickly with stomach acid, creating a neutralising reaction that can soothe tummy aches and reduce stomach swelling.

Use in the kitchen for effective prevention

As well as being used as a quick remedy, sodium bicarbonate can also be incorporated into meal preparation. Sprinkling a small amount on food before or during cooking can help prevent digestive upsets before they occur. This method is particularly useful for heavy, rich dishes typical of festive meals, helping to ease digestion over the long term.

It’s important to note, however, that although sodium bicarbonate is generally safe for most adults, its use should be occasional rather than regular, as excessive consumption can lead to electrolyte imbalances or other health problems. As with any remedy, if symptoms persist or worsen, it is advisable to consult a health professional.

2- Organic Digestion infusion

Infusion Bio Digestion combines 5 plants with beneficial properties to aid digestion and make the end of a meal a pleasant moment. Fennel and coriander seeds have a beneficial effect on bloating and the elimination of intestinal gas. Vervain and camomile also help to ease bowel movements. Liquorice also contributes to the pleasant taste of this infusion.

The key ingredients in this infusion

  • Fennel seeds: Renowned for their ability to reduce bloating and help eliminate gas, fennel seeds are an essential part of any digestive infusion. Their carminative effect helps to clear the digestive tract and relieve abdominal discomfort.
  • Coriander seeds: They complement the action of fennel by also helping to reduce intestinal gas and improve digestion. Coriander is often used for its anti-spasmodic properties, which relax the digestive muscles and reduce feelings of heaviness.
  • Verbena: Appreciated for its calming properties, verbena helps to relax the digestive system and facilitate smooth transit. It is particularly beneficial at the end of meals to prevent cramps and digestive discomfort.
  • Camomile: This plant is widely used for its anti-inflammatory effects and its ability to soothe the digestive system. Chamomile aids digestion and can be of great help to those suffering from mild digestive problems.
  • Liquorice: Gives the infusion a pleasant taste and has soothing properties for the mucous membranes of the stomach. Liquorice can also help to reduce gastric acidity, contributing to improved digestive comfort.

Directions for use to maximise benefits

To reap the full benefits oforganic digestive infusion, we recommend drinking it hot, ideally after a meal. Steeping the mixture for five to ten minutes extracts the active ingredients from the plants, ensuring maximum effectiveness. One or two cups a day are generally enough to feel a significant improvement in difficult digestion.

3- Digebiane RFx Pileje food supplement (lemon balm, pineapple and papaya)

Food supplements are ultimately very effective in aiding digestion during festive meal times. Digebiane Pileje tablets contain lemon balm extract, liquorice, calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate.

Digebiane RFx is a dietary supplement designed to offer complete digestive support thanks to a carefully selected blend of natural, effective ingredients. Each ingredient plays a specific role in maintaining a healthy digestive system, relieving various disorders and improving general comfort after meals.

The ingredients of Digebiane RFx and their benefits

  • Lemon balm extract: Lemon balm is renowned for its antispasmodic properties, making it particularly effective in relieving digestive spasms and stomach upsets. It soothes the digestive system by reducing unnecessary contractions that can cause pain and discomfort.
  • Liquorice extract: Acting as a natural anti-inflammatory, liquorice extract is beneficial for the intestinal mucosa. It is particularly recommended for cases of stomach inflammation and is effective against Helicobacter pylori infection thanks to its bacterial anti-adhesive properties.
  • Pectin: Found mainly in fruit, pectin is a fibre that regulates intestinal transit. It promotes the health of the intestinal microbiota by serving as food for the good bacteria essential for efficient digestion.
  • Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Synthesised naturally by our digestive tract, riboflavin is crucial for maintaining the digestive mucosa. It helps preserve the integrity of the stomach and intestines, contributing to better digestive health.
  • Sodium bicarbonate: Renowned for its effectiveness against difficult digestion and bloating, sodium bicarbonate also acts as an acid neutraliser, soothing the frequent acid reflux after heavy meals.
  • Calcium carbonate: This component helps neutralise stomach acid, relieving symptoms of heartburn and heartburn. It is particularly useful for those who regularly suffer from excess stomach acid.

Directions for use to optimise the benefits of Digebiane RFx

To get the most out of Digebiane RFx, we recommend that you take it according to the instructions on the pack, generally after meals or as advised by a healthcare professional. It is important to note that, like any dietary supplement, Digebiane RFx should be used as part of a healthy lifestyle and should not be seen as a substitute for a balanced diet.

4- Arkofluides Organic Intestinal Transit Vials

Arkofluides Organic Intestinal Transit Ampoules contain a combination of four plants (Mallow, Tamarind, Prune and Acacia) used to aid digestion and regulate intestinal transit. Ideal at the end of a Christmas meal to impress your guests!

Arkofluides Transit Intestinal Bio 20 phials is an organic food supplement designed to improve and regulate intestinal transit thanks to the combined action of four naturally extracted plants. This product is specially formulated for people suffering from mild digestive disorders such as occasional constipation or intestinal transit imbalances.

Composition

  • Mallow (Malva sylvestris): This plant, native to Asia and the Mediterranean basin, is traditionally used in phytotherapy for its beneficial influence on intestinal transit. Thanks to its emollient and softening properties, mallow helps relieve inflammation of the digestive system and facilitates the passage of stools, making bowel movements smoother and less painful.
  • Tamarind (Tamarindus indica): Known as the ‘Indian date palm’, this plant originated in Africa and is widely used for its positive effects on the digestive system. Tamarind acts as a natural laxative, stimulating intestinal transit and helping to regulate digestion. Its mild laxative properties are suitable for regular use, offering a natural solution for maintaining regular bowel function.

5- Lehning L114 Complex

A hepato-biliary drainer that facilitates digestion, Lehning L114 Digestive Disorders prevents digestive embarrassments linked to an unbalanced diet. Protective of the liver and bile ducts, it removes digestive blockages in migraines.

Function and benefits of Lehning L114 Complex

  • Hepato-biliary drainer: Lehning L114 acts primarily as a natural stimulant for the liver and bile ducts, facilitating fat digestion and regulating bile secretions. This prevents the build-up of undesirable substances which can contribute to digestive discomfort and feelings of heaviness after meals.
  • Liver protection: As a liver protector, Lehning L114 Complex helps maintain the health of the liver, an essential organ for detoxification and nutrient metabolism. This protection is crucial, especially in the context of a rich and varied diet, typical of festive periods.
  • Facilitates digestion: This complex helps to remove ‘digestive blockages’, a term used to describe the obstacles to smooth, fluid digestion. This is particularly beneficial for people suffering from migraines linked to digestive dysfunction, as it helps to reduce the frequency and intensity of these headaches.

6- Gentian

Gentian is a plant remarkable for its medicinal properties, particularly when it comes to treating the digestive problems that often follow the festive season. Traditionally used for its beneficial effects on the digestive system, this plant can provide natural relief from the bloating, heartburn and heaviness that accompany heavy meals.

Digestive properties of gentian

  • Stimulates secretion of gastric juices: Gentian is known for its ability to stimulate the appetite and promote secretion of gastric juices, making it easier to digest heavy, rich foods.
  • Beneficial effects on the liver: By promoting the production of bile, gentian helps to break down fats more effectively, reducing feelings of heaviness and gastrointestinal discomfort.
  • Anti-inflammatory action: The active compounds in gentian have anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, often exacerbated after overeating.

Using gentian to improve digestion

To reap its benefits, gentian can be consumed in several forms:

  • Infusions: Prepare a gentian root infusion by infusing 2 to 3 grams of dried root in a cup of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes. This infusion can be taken before or after meals to stimulate digestion and reduce feelings of heaviness.
  • Mother tinctures: Gentian is also available as a tincture, which can be diluted in a little water and taken before meals to prepare the digestive system to cope better with rich foods.

Precautions to be taken

Although gentian is effective in improving digestion, it should be used with caution. The plant is contraindicated for people suffering from gastric ulcers or other severe gastrointestinal conditions due to its ability to increase gastric acidity. It is also advisable to consult a health professional before starting a gentian-based treatment, especially if you are already taking other medicinal treatments.

Bon appétit and Best Wishes!

Leave a comment