9 Healing herbs to reset your body after the holiday season

There’s no getting away from a little festive season indulgence… And it’s completely okay! It’s hard to resist those delicious temptations like another serving of scrumptious Christmas stuffing or one more frosted holiday cookie. However, all that festive feasting can leave you feeling sluggish and bloated. The good news is herbs have your back – well, actually gut – once again so that you can start the new year off feeling happier and healthier than ever!

Here are nine healing herbs to restore your gut health, speed up your metabolism, and detox your body.

1. Peppermint

Although peppermint is often thought of as a breath freshener (which you may just need after those crispy garlic potatoes), it also has antispasmodic effects on the gastrointestinal tract, which works to relieve gas. As a result, this fragrant herb can be used to soothe indigestion, alleviate stomach cramps, and ease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

∙Using your herb: you can simply chew on some fresh peppermint leaves, brew them into herbal tea or blend them with a fresh juice.

2. Ginger

Ginger is an ancient herb that has been shown to speed up sluggish digestion and reduce gas, bloating, and pain, thanks to its main compound, gingerol. However, more notably, ginger is used to treat nausea and vomiting, making this herb great for those pesky hangovers or even some unexpected food poisoning. To learn more about the benefits of ginger, read our blog.

∙Using your herb: To soothe a hangover, add a few fresh ginger slices to a cup of boiled water with some honey and lemon. To relieve nausea, add a few slices to a glass of club soda, brew some ginger tea, or suck on some dried or candied ginger. To prevent gas and help digestion, add a few fresh slices of ginger to dishes that tend to cause flatulence, like beans or veggie stew.

3. Parsley

This herb is often used as a garnish but has many more benefits than just looking pretty. This leafy green prevents indigestion and reduces the production of intestinal gas. Parsley is also a natural diuretic that relieves belly bloating by easing fluid retention in the body.

∙Using your herb: parsley is very versatile and can be added to salads, soups, stews, pasta dishes, and many other recipes. You can also use it to brew some parsley tea.

4. Chamomile

Chamomile is a fantastic anti-inflammatory herb that relaxes the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract to decrease painful cramps caused by an upset stomach.

∙Using your herb: brew a warm cup of chamomile tea to reap the benefits and relieve your stomach cramps.

5. Dandelion

Dandelion is a brilliant herb for detoxing. It is specifically helpful for stimulating the liver, which helps remove waste and toxins from the blood. This, in turn, helps with digestion and skin health because both are very connected to the liver. The dandelion root has the strongest effect on the liver and is most often used for detoxing. However, dandelion leaves are mildly diuretic, which aids the kidneys in flushing waste.

∙Using your herb: dandelion root is often found dry and can be brewed into herbal tea, but you can also eat it whole like with other root vegetables. Dandelion leaves can be used in salads and to make tea.

6. Turmeric

Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory that supports liver health and detoxification. It aids in the production of bile, an important substance for digestion and eliminating toxins. Turmeric is also rich in antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals and prevent them from accumulating in the body. We dedicated an entire blog to turmeric, be sure to take a look.

∙Using your herb: for liver health, turmeric is most effective when used as a tincture. For general health and digestion, you can use turmeric in herbal teas and your cooking.

7. Cilantro

This common leafy green contains antibacterial, immune-enhancing, and detoxifying compounds that help remove heavy metals from the body. Cilantro also helps improve digestion, relieve stomach cramps, and fight nausea. It contains mild laxative properties.

∙Using your herb: you can sprinkle cilantro over your food or add it to your fresh juices for a detoxing drink.

8. Fennel

For hundreds of years, fennel has traditionally been used for digestive disorders like abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and constipation. The phytochemicals in this plant help break down food to be digested and metabolized.

∙Using your herb: you can take fennel seeds as a supplement, brew them as a herbal tea, or add them to hot recipes. Alternatively, you can also chew on the whole seeds after a meal to stimulate digestion and keep your mouth fresh.

9. Aloe vera

Aloe vera is a good go-to herb after one too many hot toddies or glasses of champagne. Aloe juice is a great remedy for nausea and vomiting and aids in the breakdown of alcohol by converting it to a less toxic element. It coats the stomach and balances acidity levels in the body. This herb brings about improved digestion and better gastrointestinal mobility.

∙Using your herb: the best way to drink aloe is straight, but if you can’t handle the taste, add some coconut water or mix aloe with your fresh juice or smoothies.

In Summary

There is no need to go to extremes to reset your body after the festive season. All you need to do is take care of your body with mindfulness, nourishment, and self-love. All it takes is adding a few of these healing herbs to your day-to-day routine, either by eating them in wholesome, healthy recipes or by brewing them into a cup of soothing herbal tea. Giving your body some TLC (and not treating it like it needs to be punished) will set you up for success and put you on track for a healthy and happy new year!