Herbs have been integral to traditional medicine practices worldwide for centuries, and valued for their extensive health benefits. At CG, we are BIG fans of supporting gut health through herbs. A whopping 70% of your immune system is located inside your gut microbiome so nurturing your good bugs is crucial.
Here are 8 herbs for promoting your gut (and overall!) health:
- Thyme is rich in antimicrobial properties that may help balance your gut bacteria. More specifically, research shows that Thyme inhibits pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.1https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3813290/#:~:text=It%20has%20been%20revealed%20that,and%20Escherichia%20coli%20(18) It is important to keep on top of these pathogenic bacteria to avoid the formation of biofilms, which can negatively effect gut health.
- Peppermint is also rich in antimicrobial properties and is better known for its ability to relax the muscles in your gastrointestinal tract. This herb can be useful for easing indigestion and reducing the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
- Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties and, like peppermint, is a great muscle relaxant. It is often used to ease digestive issues such as indigestion and IBS. Did you know that both peppermint and chamomile are staple herbs in our Tummy Tea?
- Dandelion Root’s antimicrobial qualities have been shown effective against certain strains of bacteria that are responsible for pathogenic infections and food-borne illness. Read the science here. Dandelion root is a key ingredient in our Gut Cleanse Tea for these very reasons.
- Rosemary has potent antimicrobial and antifungal properties and provides antimicrobial properties against a number of bacteria and yeasts including E. coli, Staphylococcus mutans, Salmonella and Fusobacterium.2https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6165352/. We are big fans of this herb – so much so that you’ll find it in our Get Me Through the Day Tea and in our Soothing Kefir skincare range.
- Liquorice Root is a powerful anti-inflammatory and is often used to soothe the lining of the gastrointestinal tract in those with acid reflux and gastritis. This herb is also a great source of Arabinogalacta, a prebiotic fibre that is nourishing for your gut bacteria and great for supporting your immune system.3https://smartq.pureforyou.com/blog/558918434850/arabinogalactan-and-its-role-in-gut-health You’ll find Liquorice Root in our Complete Prebiotic.
- Fennel seeds have the ability to relax the muscles of your gastrointestinal tract, which can help relieve symptoms such as bloating, wind, and indigestion.4https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878535212000792?via%3Dihub
- Slippery Elm contains mucilage, which when mixed with water becomes a gel-like substance that coats and soothes the lining of the digestive tract, making it beneficial for many issues from sore throats to, heartburn, reflux, and IBS.5https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/slippery-elm-bark
We recommend a daily cup of herbal tea as part of a holistic approach to improving your gut health. Here at 6 creative ways to incorporate herbs into your daily routine:
- Cooking! Add fresh or dried herbs like basil, coriander, dill, rosemary, thyme and parsley to salads, soups, stews, pasta, bolognaise.
- Herbal teas – steep herbs in hot water and sip away. Check out our unique, hand-picked and individually crafted herbal tea blends here. Take it a step further and turn them into herbal tea ice lollies with this recipe.
- Add to your Gut-Brain Health Smoothie. Combine herbs with probiotic Kefir, Complete Prebiotic and Collagen for a super-nourishing and energising smoothie to start your day.
- Infused water! Jazz up your water with herbs, fruits and veg. Why not try lime and basil, or cucumber and mint for a flavourful twist.
- Herb-infused yoghurt (or cream cheese!). Finely chop some of your favourite herb and add to yoghurt for dipping some crusty bread into. Add some garlic, cucumber and lemon juice and you have a deliciously indulgent Tzatziki dip!
- Probiotic, herb-infused skincare. Your skin is your biggest organ, your body’s first line of defence for your internal organs and it has its very own biome of microorganisms – nourish it well with herb-infused probiotic soaps and lotions. Read more about why your skin needs probiotic lotion here!
For one of our favourite herbs, check out Meet Shatavari – the queen of herbs!.
Questions? Feel free to contact us on live chat (weekdays from 8am to 8pm) to speak to one of our nutritional therapists.
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