Indigestion

Indigestion or Dyspepsia manifest with abdominal pain or discomfort, often with bloating, belching and nausea. The symptoms are often intermittent and may be aggravated by diet, stress, irregular eating habits etc.

As Hippocrates said “All Disease begins in the Stomach”, indigestion can be viewed as the instigator or origin of many diseases. From a Traditional Medicine point of view, the signs of indigestion indicate improper digestion which will result in poor quality blood, excess humors, and a build up of improperly digested dross in the system. Therefore, the treatment of Indigestion is very important.

The most important thing in treatment is to first stop feeding the problem. A food diary kept for a few weeks writing down any symptoms that appear after eating will often show inappropriate foods. Meal times should be regular, diet should be light, food should be chewed thoroughly and food intake should be reduced if overweight.

Ginger tea, prepared from fresh Ginger root is a wonderful stomach medicine, and taken before each meal can promote better digestion and enhance stomach function. It also helps to digest undigested matter.

It was common to have a formula that could be taken before food to stimulate appetite and awaken the stomach. This would often be a formula with Spices along with the aromatic seeds, as in Peptic Powder (see also 15 Powders to Warm the Stomach). These powders can also be taken after meals if symptoms such as belching, fullness, or nausea are felt.

See also

Diseases of the Stomach