It happens to all of us at some point. The very uncomfortable and embarrassing problem of digestive issues. Whether it’s an upset stomach, gas, bloating, leaky gut, IBS symptoms or constipation—indigestion can quickly derail your day.
I went to get a massage this week. As I was laying on the table I started to get the dreaded knot in my throat. I have upper GI issues related to Achalasia, a rare disorder of the esophagus. As I lay there willing and praying for the knot to dissolve and my throat to relax, very strange sounds started to bellow from my midsection. Sounds that I had never heard before. I think I was experiencing an odd mix of Achalasia related problems and gas. I was uncomfortable, unable to relax and a little embarrassed.
A person’s gut health is determined by a variety of factors, including diet, weight, genetics, age, and personal decisions. Although some of that may be out of your control, there are steps you can take to support your overall digestive health and alleviate digestive issues. How? By supplementing your daily routine with the right essential oils for digestion support.
THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
The digestive system is a group of organs working together to convert food into energy and basic nutrients to feed the entire body. Food passes through a long tube inside the body known as the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). It is made up of the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestines, and large intestines.
In the U.S., gastrointestinal issues and occasional stomach problems are quite common. In fact, one nationwide study on more than 71,000 individuals discovered that more than 61% had at least one gastrointestinal symptom in the past week alone, with the most common symptoms being:
- Heartburn or acid reflux (30.9%)
- Abdominal pain (24.8%)
- Bloating (20.6%)
- Diarrhea (20.2%)
- Constipation (19.7%)
- Nausea/vomiting (9.5%)
- Dysphagia (5.8%)
- Bowel incontinence (4.8%)
I was surprised to learn that there are direct links between your digestive system’s health and your brain. They form a two-way bridge where the current health of one can adversely affect the other. For instance, a Harvard Health study found that:
“The brain has a direct effect on the stomach and intestines. For example, the very thought of eating can release the stomach’s juices before food gets there. This connection goes both ways. A troubled intestine can send signals to the brain, just as a troubled brain can send signals to the gut. Therefore, a person’s stomach or intestinal distress can be the cause or the product of anxiety, stress, or depression. That’s because the brain and the gastrointestinal (GI) system are intimately connected.”
Because your brain health impacts your gut health and vice versa, essential oils can support your digestive system in many ways.
WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL OILS?
Essential Oils are naturally occurring compounds distilled from plants. They provide health benefits without the unpleasant side effects of many medications. They are pennies per dose and each 15ml bottle potentially contains hundreds of doses.
tHE DOTERRA DIFFERENCE
doTERRA uses Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade standard to guarantee purity and potency. The CTPG process includes a rigorous examination of every batch of oil, along with 3rd Party testing to guarantee transparency. You can even visit Sourcetoyou.com to get the detailed stats on your specific bottle of oil.
Because doTERRA oils are free of synthetic agents and harmful chemicals, they are safe to use topically, aromatically and internally.
TOP ESSENTIAL OILS FOR DIGESTIVE ISSUES
From upper GI issues to lower, this is a powerhouse oil to help ease digestive discomfort.
Whether it’s a holiday, vacation, family event, a new recipe, or you had a bit too much to eat, make sure you have doTERRA DigestZen on hand for all your digestive support needs. With Cardamom, a close relative to Ginger, Cardamom can help to maintain a healthy GI system when taken internally.
This proprietary blend of CPTG® essential oils includes Coriander, Ginger, and Fennel to help ease occasional stomach discomfort and indigestion. Peppermint, Anise, and Caraway are well known for their ability to aid in digestion and to help maintain a healthy gastrointestinal tract when consumed.
Add to Fractionated Coconut Oil as a part of a gentle tummy massage. Add a few drops of DigestZen to water and take it internally to aid in digestion, calm occasional gastric upsets, keep stomach jitters at bay, and maintain a healthy digestive system.
The peppermint plant is a hybrid of water mint and spearmint and was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. A high menthol content—like that found in the doTERRA Peppermint essential oil—distinguishes the best quality Peppermint oil from other products.
Frequently used in toothpaste and chewing gum for oral hygiene, Peppermint oil also helps alleviate occasional stomach upset and promotes healthy respiratory function when taken internally.
Take one to two drops of Peppermint essential oil in a Veggie Capsule to alleviate occasional stomach upset.
Sourced from Madagascar, doTERRA Ginger essential oil is derived from the fresh rhizome of the ginger plant—the subterranean stalk of a plant that shoots out the root system.
A featured ingredient in many Asian dishes, Ginger oil has a hot, fragrant flavor when used as a kitchen spice. In Western tradition, Ginger is most often used in sweets—gingerbread and ginger snaps being two examples. Internal use of Ginger oil is best known as a digestive aid and for helping to ease occasional indigestion and nausea.
When experiencing stomach upset or queasiness, apply over the lower abdomen for a soothing massage. You can also add a drop to 8oz of water.
Lemon essential oil is highly concentrated and contains a number of strong antioxidants that can improve digestion and simultaneously reduce inflammation. Both factors can allow the digestion process to run more smoothly and eliminate constipation.
Taken internally, Lemon provides cleansing and digestive benefits. Add 1-2 drops to 8oz of water in a glass or stainless steel container.
Rosemary is an aromatic, evergreen shrub whose leaves are frequently used to flavor foods such as stuffings, pork, roast lamb, chicken, and turkey. Along with its culinary applications, Rosemary oil has many benefits. Rosemary essential oil supports healthy digestion and internal organ function when ingested.
It has a spasmolytic effect, meaning that it relaxes muscles and suppresses muscle spasms. Like peppermint oil, this can jump-start the digestive system and get things moving as needed.
Add 1 drop to a glass of water to help relax the GI muscles and relieve discomfort.
THE TAKEAWAY
High quality essential oils are safe for the majority of the population to use, and can be an effective alternative treatment for Gastrointestinal Issues. I treated my son with essential oils from the time he was 6 months old and my grandmother will be 100 in August and she is one of my best customers. (Her favorites are Oregano and Lavender)
Choose brands carefully to ensure safe, pure products manufactured under optimum conditions. As a graduate of the Essential Oil Institute with a certification as an Essential Oil coach, I highly recommend doTERRA oils. They are free of all chemicals and fillers and are 100% safe to ingest.
If the essential oils or other home remedies don’t treat your GI discomfort within three days, or if it is a chronic issue, make an appointment to see your doctor to find the underlying cause. If you’re experiencing severe abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting along with constipation, seek immediate medical care as these could be symptoms of a bowel obstruction.
While research suggests there are health benefits, the FDA doesn’t monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils.
