The modern day lifestyle with irregular eating habits and more of fast foods being part of our daily diet, it becomes almost inevitable to bloat up while being seated at the workplace for incessant amount of hours, with almost no physical activities involved. Packed schedules make it almost impossible to take out time for a regular gym or yoga session at the health club. In such a state of affairs, switching to herbal remedies, rather than opting for allopathic medicines, in order to lose weight and get rid of a bloated belly or otherwise, seems to be more advisable, as these herbs do not impose harmful side-effects to our body and they can readily be made at home. Let’s take into account a list of such herbal remedies and how they can be effective in treating a bloated-up body.
1. Fennel Seeds, Foeniculum vulgare in other words
How it works?
Fennel seeds can be very beneficial in treating chronic diseases including indigestion, over weight, morning sickness, acute stomach cramps ad even post-chemotherapy and radiation sessions. It helps to boost metabolism, improves digestion and detoxifies the body, thereby helping in getting rid of a bloated belly.
Recipe
Ingredients: While the seeds of the fennel are brewed to make fennel tea, the roots and bark are utilized to treat infection of the urinary tract. Other than the parts of the fresh plant, only hot water is needed as the basic ingredient. However, honey and lime can add to the taste, if required.
Preparation: The fresh plant is used to prepare the infusion by just boiling water and adding it to the raw material. The mixture is then left to cool and settle for 5 to 10 minutes and then consumed directly. The seeds, bark or root can be mixed to boiling water in their powdered form, as well, to get the desired result. The powder, however, can be prepared by drying the ingredients and churning then in a mixer or procuring it from a herbal medicine shop.
How to use?
Fennel tea, prepared either with fresh plant or the powdered mixture, can be taken empty stomach with honey and a bit of lime, to add to taste, to get rid of that extra fat, or after meals.
2. Ginger Tea
How it works?
Ginger contains an element of digestion which imparts a warming effect to the system by increasing the production of the digestive enzyme in the stomach, required to enhance and rectify the digestive system, thus being very effective in releasing accumulated gas, acidity and cramps, which are the key factors for bloating up. It can even relieve an upset stomach or cramps during a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Recipe
Ingredients: Raw ginger is the main ingredient, which can be added to tea leaves or eaten raw.
Preparation: Grated or crushed ginger should be used to prepare tea and drunk hot. Not only does it improve the flavor of the tea, but also makes you get rid of all your bloating problems.
How to use?
Ginger tea, if consumed hot, at least two times a day, can give instant relief from acidity and gas, thus solving the problem of bloating to quite an extent. If not added to tea leaves, it can even be chewed raw to get the desired result.
3. Carom seeds
How it works?
Carom seeds is believed to be a great digestive aid. The worst of colic pains, resulting due to flatulence, acidity or indigestion or even during menstruation, can be easily released in no time, thus curing and flushing the intestines fully.
Recipe
Ingredients: Carom seeds, common salt and warm water can do wonders to relieve bloating. Buttermilk, along with carom seeds, can also be opted for to release acidity.
Preparation: 1 teaspoon of carom seeds, boiled in 1 glass of water, should be reduced to half and 2 to 3 pinches of common salt should be added to it to provide relief from stomach pain and gas.
How to use?
Warm carom seeds water should be drunk 2 to 3 times during acute pain to release the problem of bloating. Ajwain in buttermilk can solve the trouble of acidity.
4. Chamomile
How it works?
The flowers of chamomile consist of volatile oils, flavonoids, apigenin, luteolin and quercetin which are the key components that help and act as an anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic agent, and also relax muscles. The bittersweet taste of chamomile acts as an excellent tonic which stimulates digestive juices and helps to keep the liver and digestive system in good working condition.
Recipe
Ingredients: Chamomile flowers is the key ingredient to prepare chamomile tea which acts as a great tonic for the liver as well as the stomach.
Preparation: Chamomile flowers boiled with water, helps prepare chamomile tea which can treat improper and irritable bowel movement and thus cure gastrointestinal tract. Its bittersweet flavor settles the stomach and helps to treat excess bloating.
How to use?
Chamomile tea should be taken once a day regularly,or 2 to 3 times, if treating a worse situation.
Herbal remedies treat the problem in a subtle manner and have no side effects and if taken on a regular basis, can provide a permanent freedom from the problem of bloating.
