Soothing the stomach....

End of year celebrations so easily involve a little too much of everything, leaving us feeling a little heavy, soggy or thick headed.

Soothing the stomach

This simple digestive tea recipe works wonders for a full, sluggish or unsettled stomach that has been "overburdened". In Chinese Medicine terms, the tea has all of the wonderful elements to help nourish that weakened or overburdened Spleen and Stomach / (digestive system), helping put the bounce back in your step.

Ingredients:

• fennel-attributed functions include assisting with indigestion, reduced appetite and vomiting and headache.

• chamomile – aromatic, sweet and cooling-strengthens the stomach, aids digestion and calms the nerves

• peppermint- sweet, pungent and acrid – helps to clear any heat in the body (that can arise from over indulgence) and circulate Qi, benefits the liver and gall bladder and lifts the spirt.

• ginger – calming and nourishing for the Spleen & Stomach, without being too heating. Relieves nausea

Stomach Soothing Digestive Tea Recipe

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger

• 1 teaspoon dried chamomile flowers

• 1 teaspoon dried peppermint leaves

• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, lightly crushed

• 500ml boiling water

• Optional Honey or other sweetener, to taste

Method:

Combine the chamomile, fennel, ginger, and peppermint in a tea pot or mug. Pour boiling water over. Cover and steep for 10 minutes. Strain tea, then sweeten with honey, if desired.

Curious about the research associated with some of these ingredients, check out the University of Maryland Medical Center's guides to chamomile, ginger, and peppermint or click on the links above.

Full credit for the recipe: kitchn