Drink a cup of ginger tea first thing in the morning and again with your largest meal. The Guardian Tea is a warming, TCM-inspired herbal tea that is loaded with ginger and other aromatic herbs like orange peel, rosemary, cinnamon and clove. It’s a comforting blend that aids digestion, soothes your stomach and supports your gut microbiome all in one. Use code BREWGUARDIAN for 10% off!
Take a flavor of digestive bitters 15 minutes before meals. I created my own as part of my “herbal first aid kit” that I recommend everyone have in their home or purse! A low dosage of bitter taste taken before a meal stimulates “Agni” by increasing the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
Eat slowly in a relaxed environment where the only focus is food and good company.
Chew food thoroughly.
Decrease intake of or eliminate coffee, tea, alcohol, sugar, tobacco, fried foods and minimize hot sauce/spices since these can all deplete your stomach acid and thin the lining of the gut.
Avoid drinking cold liquids before or during meals. (Honestly, avoid iced drinks altogether. TCM says it creates nothing but stagnation in the body)
Take a 10-15 minute walk after meals.
Only eat when you are hungry – eating out of boredom will result in undigested food, diluted fire and “ama” (toxic residue) due to poorly digested food.
Cook with herbs and ingredients that stimulate digestion such as…
Thyme – stimulates the production of gastric juice
Ginger – relieves nausea, heartburn, gas, soothes and relaxes the intestinal tract
Trikatu – an Ayurvedic blend of ginger, black pepper, and long pepper. Supports digestion & overall gastric function, stimulates digestive enzymes, promotes rapid absorption of nutrients.
Sea salt – stimulates stomach acid production
If you’re looking for even more ways to improve your digestive fire, check out the rest of my 11 unconventional tips for improved digestion here.
2. Reduce “food stagnation.”
Weak digestive fire can lead to a potential build up of toxins in the system that are created when food is poorly digested, called “ama” by Ayurveda. Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to this as “food stagnation” which can create heat in the intestines and liver. This buildup, which often centers in the lower bowel and colon, is a common root cause for many disorders and should be the first thing you look at when treating the body as a whole.
