In order to best support and aid in healthy digestion I think we should start with the basics. What is the digestive system? The digestive system is how the body captures and absorbs vitamins, minerals, and nutrients from the food we eat. Our mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines and rectum make up our GI tract (GI is short for gastrointestinal) - a part of our digestive system. Organs like the pancreas, liver, gallbladder are also part of our digestive system, even our teeth, tongue, and salivary glands play a major role.
Many of us suffer from some type of digestive problems from time to time, be it bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, acid reflux, or even good ol' nausea. Not that those issues aren't bad enough, but others are burdened with more severe and horrible digestive conditions and even diseases. If we're dealing with discomforts in our digestive tract and we know the cause, then at least we know how to avoid the situation, but what's worse is when we don't even know the cause. So whether you suffer from the occasional digestive discomforts or you're dealing with a major issue, the products I'm going to share with you may be helpful in managing your situation. So let's dive right in, shall we?
All of the products that I'm going to chat about are essential oils or products powered by essential oils. I only talk about doTERRA essential oils, because of their quality, purity and potency - basically I trust that the oil or product is going to do exactly what it's supposed to do, every time. That said like medications, what works for one might not work for another so it's important to be patient with the process if you're trying to find a natural solution for your digestive issues. The digestive tract is one of the body systems that research has shown to be positively influenced by essential oils, so I'm going to highlight several essential oils and related products that work for many, but I'll list off several more oils to round us out.
The first product is doTERRA DigestZen® - this was formulated based on a combination of historical use and modern science. All the essential oils included have a long history of use for a variety of digestive concerns and, of course, the modern research that supports the historical use. DigestZen® comes both as an essential oil as well as a softgel, so if you have a hard time with swallowing pills or you just don't care to add another to your routine, the oil is going to be just as effective and as you can imagine more versatile as you can apply topically to the bottom of your feet, directly on the stomach and can even add to water to take internally if you choose. My personal preference is the pill - easy and convenient.
PRIMARY BENEFITS - DigestZen® Softgels
Aids in the digestion of foods, soothes occasional stomach upset and indigestion, and can help reduce gas or bloating.*
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
Take 1 softgel one or more times as needed.
KEY INGREDIENTS & BENEFITS
Ginger Root: may help to soothe mild or occasional stomach upset and ease indigestion*
Peppermint Plant: supports healthy gastrointestinal function and aids in digestion*
Caraway Seed: may help ease indigestion while supporting a healthy gastrointestinal tract*
Coriander Seed: promotes healthy digestion*
Anise Fruit/Seed: promotes healthy digestion*
Tarragon Fruit/Seed: promotes healthy digestion*
Fennel Seed: promotes healthy digestion and metabolism*
Peppermint oil is one of the best-selling favorites among doTERRA essential oils - it can be used for many different things. Of course, our focus now is how it aids our digestive system. When taken internally, Peppermint essential oil has clinically demonstrated its ability to help ease and relax the gastrointestinal muscles and calm the stomach and intestinal tract.* Once again doTERRA has created a softgel to accompany the essential oil, so you have choices. For our topic today I'm going to focus on the softgels because these are special, they are enteric coated. The Peppermint softgels support healthy function of the digestive system and help reduce occasional gas, bloating, and other digestive difficulties.* The enteric coating allows the active ingredients to pass through the stomach and reach the small intestines where it is most effective.
PRIMARY BENEFITS* - Peppermint Softgels
Supports gastrointestinal comfort, helps alleviate occasional stomach upset, and provides digestive relief to the lower intestines. Supports healthy function of the digestive system and helps reduce occasional gas, bloating, and other digestive difficulties.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
For adults, take one to two softgels before meals. For children eight years and older, take one softgel before meals. For best results, take 30–60 minutes before meals.
Certain organs in our digestive system, like salivary glands and the pancreas, are responsible for making the specific digestive enzymes needed to to break down different kinds of foods. Those enzymes break down food into smaller parts that can be "harvested" for micronutrients - vitamins and minerals, which are used by cells to generate energy. Much of what we eat today, is either cooked or processed which means they are many times missing the natural enzymes that comes from eating raw foods. It's all about making small shifts to support our bodies and since it's not realistic to think that you're going to go raw vegan, I'd like to introduce you to two of the best products doTERRA has: DigestZen TerraZyme® and PB Assist®+
Starting with DigestZen TerraZyme® - it is a proprietary blend of active whole-food enzymes and supporting cofactors that are often deficient in cooked, processed, and preservative-laden foods.
PRIMARY BENEFITS* - DigestZen TerraZyme®
Is a safe and effective means of supporting healthy digestion and metabolism of enzyme-deficient, processed foods. It helps convert food nutrients to cellular energy and promotes gastrointestinal comfort and food tolerance. The whole-food enzymes help with the digestion of proteins, fats, complex carbohydrates, sugars, and fiber.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
Take 1 to 3 capsules with meals throughout the day. If your meal includes lots of fresh, raw foods, take one. If your meal includes highly processed, cooked foods or food products known to cause specific GI discomfort, take two to three capsules with meal.
Next up is the PB Assist®+ - it is a proprietary formula of pre-biotic fiber and six strains of probiotic microorganisms in a unique double-layer vegetable capsule. It delivers 6 billion CFUs of active probiotic cultures and soluble pre-biotic FOS (fructooligosaccharides). The time-release, double-capsule delivery system is designed to help protect the sensitive probiotic cultures from stomach acid.
PRIMARY BENEFITS* - PB Assist®+
Promotes a positive balance and spread of beneficial bacteria, maintaining healthy intestinal microflora. It supports healthy digestive and immune systems and aids the GI tract, particularly the intestines and colon. It also helps us to metabolize and absorb our food.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
Take 1 capsule three times daily with food for 10 days. Can be used more frequently and for extended periods of time when digestive flora has been compromised and may be used when traveling to boost digestive immunities, or once a day as an ongoing maintenance program for people with occasional digestive discomfort.*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
As you saw in the DigestZen® blend there are several essential oils that support a healthy digestive system. Aside from those, I'm going to list off some other oils and products that you should consider using to aid you in overall health, especially in the digestive arena.
OTHER OILS & PRODUCTS TO CONSIDER:
Lemon - gentle detox
Wild Orange - cleansing and immune support
doTERRA Lifelong Vitality Supplements - foundational health
Tamer™- digestive support from kids collection
Ginger drops - convenient sweet, spicy ginger-lemon flavored digestive drops
GX Assist® - 10 day digestive cleansing prep
Celery Seed, Rosemary & Cassia - can help improve digestion
Cilantro & Black Pepper - supports healthy digestion and metabolism
There is so much to a healthy digestive system that I can't begin to cover it all now, but hope this provides you with a good foundation to getting your gut health and digestive issue under control. More importantly, I hope that you'll have confidence with the natural solution products that are available to you. If you're interested in being supported by myself and my wellness community, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm happy to discuss your specific needs and guide you through your essential oil journey.
xoDanette