You know that feeling you get in your tummy when you're nervous? Those butterflies are a result of your brain communicating with your body. The gut-brain axis is so interconnected that our mood is directly linked to the health of our gut. 90% of your serotonin receptors, the happy neurotransmitter, are in your gut so it’s important for it to be thriving. As a gut nutritionist, I always advocate consuming lots of plants so your microbiota flourish. The American Gut Projects suggests 30 plants per week to ensure diversity and happy gut bugs. Everything counts, including herbs, spices, beans, plant-protein sources, vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds. We know what we eat impacts how we feel, so what about what we drink? If clients are experiencing bloating, heartburn, flatulence or stress, I always recommend they include tea for extra support.
Welcome, GUT FEELING by Genuine Tea! This spicy and warming blend was created to help curb digestive upset on your healing journey. There are 10 plants intentionally included in this new tea blend, but today I want to highlight three of my favourites: lemon balm, ginger and licorice.
Melissa officinalis, known as lemon balm, is a nervine tonic. In herbalism, this refers to a plant that supports our nervous system and relaxation is key for your digestion and gut health. If we are in fight or flight, running away from that Westcoast bear for example or more commonly experienced, sitting in traffic, our body no longer cares about digesting food. It has other priorities! This mint family herb is also a thymoleptic relaxant meaning it helps with low mood and even anxiety. Lemon balm is great for relieving spams and flatulence.
Ginger, Zingiber officinale, has a warming energetic and is perfect for someone with constipation or sluggish digestion. Like lemon balm, ginger is also a carminative so it’s used to ease gas. Other amazing benefits of sipping ginger tea? Improved circulation, anti-nausea, anti-inflammatory, antiviral for cold and flu season and it helps with menstrual cycle cramps.
Licorice, Glycyrrhiza glabra, is an ancient herbal remedy with several health benefits. It supports the adrenal glands by stimulating cortisol production so you have morning energy. It’s a demulcent, which means it soothes inflammation and irritation of mucous membranes. Consuming licorice root can even prevent and treat gastric ulcers. (hot tip - ensure you rule out H. pylori if you have heartburn or ulcers). I frequently recommend licorice for heartburn or people needing a mild laxative. If you have high blood pressure or edema, try one of our other wellness tea blends.
A special shoutout to fennel, dandelion, nettle and burdock that are also in gut feeling. All these bitter herbs help stimulate digestive secretions, reduce gas and bloating and support liver function. In today’s western society, we aren’t consuming enough bitter foods so this tea is needed more than ever. This tisane is made even more delicious with cinnamon, cardamom and immune boosting elderberries.
I’d love to hear how this tea helped your digestive woes!
Jordan Bruce, RHN
