Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Ease Thanksgiving Indigestion... without TUMS

There are many natural ways to prevent and ease indigestion before or after any meal, especially the grandest: Thanksgiving. Before taking an antacid like Tums, read the ingredients below. If this is one of your favorite things to pop, take warning of the very concerning ingredients like the TALC (toxic) and DYES (derived from coal tar) in this product.

TUMS ingredients:

  • Calcium Carbonate USP Grade (1000 mg per tablet)
  • Sucrose
  • Starch
  • Talc (is toxic; see http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/cosmetics/talc.htm
  • Mineral Oil
  • Natural & Artificial Flavor (can mean anything, e.g., MSG)
  • Sodium Polyphosphate
  • Blue 1 Lake
  • Red 40 Lake
  • Adipic Acid
  • Yellow 6 Lake
  • FD&C Yellow 5 Lake

Here are some natural ways to help ease tooting, bloating and indigestion before or after a meal.

  • Before your meal, eat fresh-cut pineapple. Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain that supports the digestive process.

  • An after-dinner cup of tea can relieve gassiness and bloating. And these essential oils are calming to the intestinal tract. To make a tea, place only 3 drops of essential oils (Roman Chamomile or Di-Gize essential oil blend) to a cup of hot water, add 1 Tablespoon of Agave or Honey, stir well and sip slowly.

  • After you've literally stuffed yourself, blend 3 drops of Peppermint essential oil and 3 drops of Di-Gize essential oil blend with 1 Tablespoon of carrier oil (Grapeseed, Olive, V-6 Mixing oil) and massage well on the belly. This feels soooo good. You will feel the results in as little as 10 minutes.

  • Before eating, blend 1 Tablespoon of Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar to glass of clean water and drink. The apple cider vinegar will balance the acid immediately.

  • A brief, 10-minute walk around the block - after turkey - can help boost digestion, too.

I'd love to hear how you prevent or ease indigestion naturally.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Amy

Here are the essential oils found Di-Gize essential oil blend:

  • Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)
  • Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
  • Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
  • Juniper (Juniperus osteosperma and J. scopulorum)
  • Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
  • Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus)
  • Anise (Pimpinella anisum)
  • Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)