Herbs for thanksgiving + digestion

The feasts that we prepare for Thanksgiving, with love, are the centerpiece of this holiday. Coming together from far and wide so that we may enjoy the company of our family and friends, with thankful hearts that we are blessed to have this day of togetherness, to have and share such abundance. It has been said that eating is America’s favorite past-time, and yes, we tend to overdo it, especially on Thanksgiving. Our ancestors prepared many of this holiday’s most popular dishes with herbs and spices that are helpful for digestion and comforting to our bellies. Age-old remedies are interwoven into our traditional dishes, even today. Although recipes differ, these herbs are the shining stars of many of our Thanksgiving favorites! Bell’s Seasoning, for instance, is used by millions of Americans on Thanksgiving to flavor their family’s stuffing and the ingredients are Rosemary, Oregano, Sage, Ginger, Marjoram, Thyme, and Black Pepper. Whether you’re grabbing for this pantry staple or you’re using fresh herbs, it’s amazing to consider that these aromatic herbs and spices all have properties that help to digest food and ease bloating and gas. Even traditional Thanksgiving desserts like Pumpkin and Apple pie are made using spices and herbs that help in this regard like Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, and Cloves.

-Rosemary~aids in digestion by stimulating the liver and gallbladder because it is a bitter -Oregano~ a warming digestive stimulant, Oregano not only helps to digest food, its antibacterial properties help to fight off any food borne pathogens -Sage~Helps to move stagnation, especially helpful in aiding digestion of meats and higher fat foods, Sage helps prevent gas, indigestion, and belly aches that are commonly associated with the rich dishes we enjoy on Thanksgiving. -Ginger~ the warming properties of Ginger help to stimulate digestion, bringing heat to move things along by increasing digestive enzymes to work on the fats and carbs we eat. This root is also well known as a very powerful anti-nausea remedy, helpful to ease the queasiness after a big meal.

-Marjoram~ another great digestive aid, Marjoram helps us to digest our food and helps to alleviate gas and flatulence. Like many of the previous herbs listed, She is also an anti-spasmodic, meaning that Marjoram reduces spasms in the digestive tract that lead to cramping.

-Thyme~offers us the same benefits that many of the previously mentioned herbs, as far as her digestive and carminative properties( gas and bloating). Spiritually speaking, Thyme helps bring down heightened tension and mental exhaustion, allowing us to release our in-breath. I find this very helpful during holidays because there can be some tension amidst the festivities, as is expected because we are human, after all.

-Black Pepper~ another of our warming allies, Black Pepper is the dried fruit of the Piper Negrum plant. A powerful digestive stimulant, it also works with our digestive enzymes to allow for better nutrient absorption. black pepper helps reduce toxins in our gut as it increases our digestive fire.

-Cinnamon~a warming and stimulating herb, Cinnamon, like many of our aforementioned herbs, helps to raise the vitality of all of our body's functions. In this way, it can help to speed up our digestive processes. Cinnamon has medicinal qualities can also alleviate diarrhea and quell nausea. Many studies credit this herb with the ability to lower blood sugar too, always beneficial after a carbohydrate laden meal.

-Nutmeg~has digestive properties that can help with indigestion and stomach upset. Nutmeg can help to reduce stress, as it has mild adaptogenic qualities.. holidays can be stressful, as we all know!

-Cloves~the carminative action of Clove helps to increase peristalsis( the movement necessary to digest our food) as well as increasing the hydrochloric acid in the stomach, leading to better digestion. Cloves are an analgesic too, which means they can reduce pain. While the herbal actions of all of these herbs used in our Thanksgiving meals have many of the same or similar properties, they each bring their own flavors and benefits. Food is medicine, and even though we include them in our heirloom recipes to this day, a nice cup of tea made from these herbs as an added boost can remedy your digestive discomfort after a day renowned for overindulgence. ( or any day you’re belly is not up to par) Herbs, Love, and Yoga has their own tea blend specifically crafted to support digestion, and carries individual herbs if you prefer certain herbs for their flavors and properties. One of my personal favorite herbs that I find has the most calming effects on an upset stomach is Chamomile. She is not one of the herbs that is typically used in our Thanksgiving meal, but she is a great nightcap and I highly recommend turning to Chamomile after the festivities wind down.

This post was written by Debra Romano an apprentice at Herbs Love + Yoga