Naturopathy seeks to encourage the body’s ability to heal itself through changes in lifestyle and diet, as well as herbs, massage, and joint manipulation.

Dr. Susan Pilgrim explains that naturopathy focuses on the vital force of life that is inherent in the whole person. When the body is ill, it goes through a self-cleansing process. The underlying conditions that promote the illness must be eliminated. Self-responsibility for health and healing is strongly promoted. However, herbs are considered nutritional supplements and should be discussed with your physician.

Herbs

Many people prefer to take natural supplements over pharmaceutical chemical compounds. Herbal bitters, carminative oils, and herbal teas are just a few of the effective ways to relieve the symptoms associated with digestive disorders.

Carminative oils are made from a variety of herbs, usually including caraway, fennel, and peppermint. They are commonly used to relieve indigestion and gas. Herbal bitters refer to individual herbs or a combination; the most well known is Swedish bitters.

Here are popular herbal remedies for relieving indigestion and bloating:

• One tablespoon of apple cider vinegar taken ten minutes before a meal works as a good digestive aid, especially for fatty food.

• Ginger in cooking, teas, dried powders, essential oils, or capsules works for morning sickness and nausea.

• Aloe vera juice can be helpful for IBS symptoms.

Herbal Tea

Green tea can be very soothing; it is thought to have medicinal properties as well. Green tea consumption is associated with a decreased risk of cancer because of its glutathione s-transferase (GST), a cancer-fighting enzyme produced in the body that helps to detoxify carcinogens.

Why is green tea so good for you? Researchers believe it is due to polyphenols, which are chemicals with potent antioxidant properties. Early evidence suggests the antioxidant effects of polyphenols may even be greater than that of vitamin C. However, it is the polyphenols in green tea that are responsible for its slightly bitter taste.

Adding two to three tablespoons of citrus juice (orange, grapefruit, lemon, or lime) to one cup of green tea improves the stability of catechins (antioxidants that help prevent cancer, stroke, and heart disease). Steep one tea bag in hot water three to five minutes, then add the juice.