10/02/2024
Regulating digestive health or acute upsets, such as with the recent stomach flu, according to your body type isn't an all for one, nor one for all fix. Every one of us has a unique gut biome. There are however certain components we can start to address. Using the Ayurvedic system of guidance for body types, hence Vata, Pitta or Kapha, we can start to navigate some simple correlations using a few simple and specific herbs to start.
In general, Vata body types tend to be thin, run cold, tend to stay sick longer, burn energy slower in the gut, yet have lots of energy going on in the mind. These body types tend to do well with gentian and ginger, which is also naturally warming to the body, while helping with bile secretion, allowing increased immunity with their natural antibiotic effects, and the warming effects of the herbs also allow the intestines to relax and absorb more nutrients.
Pitta body types are typically more naturally athletic built, run warm or hot, assimilate nutrients quickly in the gut, get over colds or stomach upsets more quickly, have strong mental energy, and do well with gentian and peppermint to increase bile production, while also cooling down the body to assimilate nutrients less rapidly.
Kapha body types are typically thick skinned physically, have strong and powerful body constitutions, usually run warm, think at a steady pace, can possibly hang onto sickness longer at times, plus have a slow and steady digestive system which requires a balance of either warming ginger or cooling peppermint to stimulate digestion. Gentian good all around before meals.
These are just quick little snippets of different body types, yet many of us have a combination of these types. Plus, our unique combination of different diets, also plays a role, so listen to your unique body above all in what herbs sound most appealing when you have digestive complaints.
Our digestive system is the beginning of staying healthy. Bitter and pungent herbs, which unfortunately people most shun because they don’t taste as delicious as sweet or salty flavors, are highly important for overall health. Not only do they help ease digestive complaints, they can help with the heart, liver, hormones, immune system and more.
In general, gentian is a strong gall bladder and liver stimulator, plus best taken before eating meals to stimulate the flow of gastric juices. For those that don’t study physiology, this also affects our hormones, pituitary gland, thyroid and more. It’s a highly bitter herb that increases bile, which in turn stimulates the liver to help produce more gastric juices to digest food.
Peppermint is naturally cooling to the body, plus antibacterial, antiviral, and antiseptic. So, if you are feeling nauseous, with a lot of body heat, drinking peppermint tea can help soothe the stomach lining, while also helping to eliminate some of the pesky microbes that are causing the upset.
Ginger is naturally warming and stimulates circulation. It also has antiviral and antibacterial properties. If you have a sluggish digestive system, plus are holding on to some kind of digestive upset that just doesn’t seem to be moving, drinking fresh ginger tea is a great way to get things moving along in your digestive tract.
There is a lot more to this, including dosing recommendations and more, so if you’d like a more in depth look into your distinct biology, and would like to have a personal assessment, we do offer 1 on 1 personal health consultations by zoom, over the phone, or in person. Feel free to leave a message on messenger and we will get back to you soon.
Cheers to a healthier digestive tract with just a few simple tips, hope this helps! Stay tuned for tomorrows post where we will cover lung health.