Oh you happy…? Not for the stomach, intestines and liver. You often find it difficult to digest the Christmas season, because no month puts the metabolic organs under more stress than December. Too fat, too sweet, too much of everything – including alcohol and the hustle and bustle. And even in summer, the stomach and intestines don’t have a break. French fries, ice cream and pizza just taste too good. 53 percent of Germans react to these foods with a feeling of fullness, flatulence, heartburn, stomach pain or constipation. People between the ages of 45 and 59 in particular have an uncomfortable gut feeling. What’s going wrong in the middle of her body?
Essentially, the nutritional and emotional turbulence throws the highly sensitive, fine-mesh control center of the stomach and intestinal movements, the vegetative nervous system, out of balance. The pre-digested chyme lies in the stomach like a stone for hours and builds up in the intestines. Fueled by high levels of stress hormones in the blood, the stomach churns out acid. The excess rises up into the esophagus and burns there like fire. And the liver can no longer keep up with fat digestion and painfully passes its pressure on to the upper abdomen. If your digestion isn’t running smoothly at the moment either, give a little gentle tutoring. With these home remedies and the ten exercises, eg from Ayurveda, Kinesiology or Zilgrei, you will get your strong center back.
Table of Contents
Home remedies for digestive problems
Stomach tea: carefully mix 25 g chamomile blossoms, 25 g lemon balm leaves, 20 g cinnamon herb, 20 g calamus rhizome and 10 g bitter orange peel (everything from the pharmacy). Pour 1/4 l of boiling water over 2 heaped teaspoons and then cover and let steep for 10 minutes. Drink two to three cups a day, preferably between meals. The tea calms a nervous stomach, helps against feelings of fullness, nausea, constipation and flatulence.
Liver compress: Fill a hot-water bottle with hot water and dip a linen cloth in lukewarm water. Wring out the cloth and wrap the hot water bottle in it. Lie on your back and place the hot water bottle directly on your skin – below your right rib cage. Place a dry terry towel over it and leave it on for 45 to 60 minutes. The wrap helps the liver in its detoxification work.
Digestive drinks: The fruit juices made from raspberries and elderberries contain a lot of vitamin C, which is not only healthy for the immune system, but also promotes digestion. Vegetable juices made from carrots or sauerkraut also have a laxative effect and help with constipation. In addition, it is advisable to drink carbonated water, as the soda it contains stimulates the intestines.
Foods that promote digestion: Cherries, grapes, peaches and plums are among the foods that counteract constipation. A kilo of the fruit daily helps to stimulate digestion. If you prefer to drink the natural laxatives, you can also consume them with plum juice. If the fruit is not in season, dried fruit can also be used. These show the same effect. In addition, it is advisable to eat foods with a high fiber content. Dietary fiber leads to a higher stool volume and thus promotes digestion. Dietary fibers are mainly found in fruits and vegetables as well as in whole grain products. Constipating foods such as bananas and chocolate, on the other hand, cause constipation and should therefore be avoided.
Helpers from the pharmacy
These five medicinal herbal preparations promote your digestion:
- A combination of bitter candytuft and eight other medicinal herbs (e.g. “Iberogast”) puts an end to stomach problems such as heartburn, constipation or nausea.
- Capsules with peppermint and caraway oil (eg “Enteroplant”) soothe an irritated intestine and stomach.
- The stressed liver is relieved by an extract of the king artichoke (e.g. “Hepar SL forte”).
- Ginger root extracts (e.g. “GingerPURE”) calm the rumbling stomach.
- An extract from milk thistle fruits (eg “hepa-loges”) helps a stressed liver.
Laughter yoga relaxes the stomach deeply
Standing, clasps your hands in front of your belly button. Stretch your stomach out as far as possible and arch your back. Now push your “ball belly” back and forth with both hands and laugh like Santa Claus for five minutes a deep “Hohoho”.
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Tapping relieves the liver
Acupressure relies on stimulating specific points to relieve pain in other areas of the body. Gently tap four acupressure points with the tip of the extended middle finger for five minutes in succession: the nail fold angle of the left index finger, both cheekbones, about two centimeters to the right and left of the bridge of the nose, and the nail fold angle of the second left toe.
Yoga takes pressure off the stomach
While standing, rotate your right foot outward 90 degrees. Take a deep breath and raise your arms to your sides at shoulder height. On an exhale, lunge forward with your left foot, keeping your thigh parallel to the floor. Take ten deep breaths in this position, then switch sides. Ten repetitions on each side.
Kinesiology stimulates the intestines
Sit upright with your legs together. Clench both fists loosely, rub the outside of the right thigh with the right fist and the left thigh with the left fist. Starts above the knees and rubs up to your hip joints with medium pressure. Repeat this twenty times on each side.
Craniosacral touch relieves heartburn
Stand with your right hand on your breastbone with your thumb pointing to your right collarbone and your index finger to your left. Now place your left hand loosely five centimeters above your navel, your thumb touching your left rib cage. Feel deeper into the areas under your hands with each breath. 10 mins.
Breathing exercise drives away digestive stress
Sit up straight, hands resting on thighs. Imagine that you can breathe from your stomach to your feet. Breathe through your nose. Deepen your breathing more and more, and with this conscious breathing, always direct the energy a little more from your stomach to your legs and feet. Do this exercise for ten minutes.
Zilgrei relieves abdominal pain
While sitting, slowly turn your upper body to the right, your right hand holds on to the edge of the chair, your left hand presses lightly against the outside of your right thigh. Inhale (belly out), hold your breath for five seconds, exhale (belly in), hold your breath for five seconds. Repeat this exercise five times. Slowly rotate your upper body back to the starting position. Now it’s the other side’s turn.
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Ayurveda massage calms the intestines
Spread a handful of room-temperature sesame oil around your bare navel while lying down. Massage in clockwise circles for five minutes with your hand. Let a warm, damp cloth cool down on the stomach, then rub it dry.
Yogilates relieves flatulence
Lay on the floor, grasp the ankles from the inside. Lean your upper body back, lift your feet. While exhaling, tap the edges of your feet together three times, while inhaling slowly roll backwards. Do not put your head down and roll up again with the exhale and tap three times. Repeat the exercise five times.
Pezziball
Pezziball-Belli-Gym for a strong gut feeling
Lie on your back, the lower legs of your closed legs on a pezzi ball. The outstretched arms are parallel to the upper body. Now tighten your stomach, back and buttocks while slowly lifting your hips until they form a straight line with your legs and upper body. Support yourself with your arms. Hold the tension briefly and then lower your hips again. Repeat this exercise 15 times.
