Cardamom Seed

Staying on our most recent topic of digestion, we’re going to look at cardamom seed today. Cardamom seed is a native to southern India and part of the ginger family. Cardamom can be useful for gas, bloating, nausea, lack of appetite, colic, diarrhea, headaches from indigestion, and digestive upset caused by nervousness.

Cardamom can reduce mucus buildup caused by heavy foods. Its carminative properties aid in gas. It’s also alkaline. These properties basically aid in the digestion of heavy and acidic foods. Cardamom contains the phytochemical cineole, which can assist with bad breath, gum disease, sore throats, and respiratory issues.

The cineole phytochemical is antiseptic and can help with mouth ulcers.

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Cardamom has a warming and stimulating effect when consumed. Use it when you’re feeling tired. I love it during the winter time, where any form of warmth is welcome. If that’s not enough reason to use it in the wintertime, think about its defense properties against phlegm. This is a huge issue for most during the wintertime.

Cardamom can be used to increase blood circulation to the lungs. This can help prevent convulsions and spasms.

Cardamom has a tonic effect on the kidneys and urinary tract. It can be used to strengthen a weak bladder and help with kids who still wet the bed. It is used in some blends to aid in urinary tract infections.

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Bee Balm

Bee balm has several uses in one’s health and wellbeing. Bee balm is especially helpful for digestive and respiratory issues. I am not growing bee balm and do not have any near me, but it does grow wild throughout the US.

Bee balm, very much like hyssop, is especially useful for stomach viruses. It is a carminative used for gas, bloating, rumbling in the tummy issues, diarrhea, nausea, and general upset stomach. This makes bee balm a powerful ally for stomach issues that are especially caused by a virus.

Bee balm is a nervine that is also helpful for tension headaches, but is also known to help with cold and flu respiratory symptoms. Fever? Bee balm can also help with breaking it.

Do you grow or use bee balm in your herbal medicine cabinet? How do you incorporate bee balm in your life?

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Angelica Root

Angelica root is a warm carminative herb. It’s extremely useful for gas, appetite, intestinal spasms, diarrhea, gastric ulcers, and indigestion. Angelica root is also antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and an emmenagogue. The smell and taste of angelica is very similar to carrots and is used often in digestive tonics. It should be avoided during pregnancy because of its high volatile oil count and its emmenagogue properties.

Angelica can also be used as a nervine. Angelica can have a significant anti-anxiety effect.

If you’re having stomach issues and are also sick, angelica root can help as it’s also an expectorant and decongestant. Angelica is a great lung tonic, so while releasing mucous, it also strengthens lung tissue. Look to angelica to aid with coughs, bronchitis, and flu.

As an emmenagogue, angelica can help with cramping caused by a menstrual cycle. It can also be used to induce a cycle, especially for irregularity.

Add angelica to blends for colds and flu, fevers, and monthly cycles.

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Motherwort

Motherwort is a cool and dry bitter tonic. It’s part of the mint family and it’s used frequently for indigestion and to aid the body in complete digestion. It likes open disturbed land and is very easy to grow and reseeds itself.

Antispasmodic

A herb with antispasmodic actions means it can aid in muscle spasms. This can also be useful for digestive issues since this motherwort already has actions that aid in digestion.

Emmenagogue

Along with its antispasmodic properties, motherwort also has emmenagogue properties. This aids in uterine cramping during menstruation and can help induce a cycle (especially helpful if you’re irregular).

Hypotensive

Motherwort is hypotensive, which means it can aid in lowering blood pressure.

Nervine, Sedative and Heart Tonic

One of the most fascinating bits of information found on motherwort is that it’s a nervine. It’s extremely helpful for anxiety that leads to heart palpitations as it’s also a heart tonic. Motherwort can be used to increase blood flow through the coronary artery and improve microcirculation throughout the body. Motherwort can stabilize heart rate and prevent blood platelet agglutination (without thinning the blood). Motherwort can also be used for angina (chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart).

Safety

Motherwort should not be taken by pregnant women or people taking cardiac medications.

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Gentian Root

Gentian root is a strong bitter and serves in aid for quite a list of digestive ailments; dyspepsia, bloating, indigestion, heartburn, constipation, loss of appetite, nausea, gas, anorexia, and inflammatory bowel disease. Gentian root contains the chemical glycosilated iridoids. This chemical contributes to its bitter taste and properties and its strength is what aids in this root’s amazing digestive properties. Up to 10% of the root’s weight can contain this chemical. If harvesting, do so during the spring time to get the most of its bitter properties.

Gentian has also been used to rid the intestines of parasites.

The root can also be used in colds with fevers where throat relief is needed. It can also be added in blends used for muscle spasms and headaches.

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The herb can be used topically for wound treatment.

Gentian root can also assist with kidney health. It helps eliminate harmful substances due to its antiseptic properties.

Gentian has a long list of uses, which makes it a great addition to many blends geared toward many different ailments. I absolutely love its versatility.

Do you use gentian root? What are your favorite blends and uses?

Many gentian species are threatened and should not be wild harvested. Although this herb can be decocted into a tea, many people prefer a tincture due to its taste.

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