How It Works

Papaya

Papaya fruit contains enzymes that aid digestion and help relieve stomach discomfort, including belching, gas and nausea. Papaya is the only known food to contain papain, a powerful enzyme that helps break down meat and other proteins. Papain's digestive activity also extends to carbohydrates and fats. Papaya contains other enzymes that help break down starches and milk protein. In addition to smooth digestion and stomach comfort, papaya helps support a healthy appetite.

Ginger

Ginger has been used as both food and medicine in Asia for thousands of years. Although it originated in Southeast Asia, its use spread throughout the eastern and western civilizations where it was valued for cooking, digestive support and its medicinal merits. Traditionally, ginger helped with a laundry list of complaints, including cold, fever, joint discomfort, aches, cramps, nervous system support, oral health, circulatory health, plus indigestion, gas, nausea and vomiting. Researchers have found that ginger may help settle the stomach during times of occasional nausea, motion sickness and morning sickness.

Peppermint

Peppermint is a carminative and helps to drive gas out of the body. Peppermint stimulates digestive fluids and the flow of bile, which the body uses to digest fats. This enables food to be more efficiently digested and reduces gas buildup. Peppermint also relaxes the smooth muscles of the stomach and lower bowel, helping digestive gas to pass and relieving cramping.

Wild Yam

Wild yam has been used for centuries by Native Americans and early settlers for a variety of issues, including targeted gut support, gastrointestinal issues, energy, and joint health. Wild yam was commonly called colic root 100 years ago in the U.S., since early Americans used it to relieve colic. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Western herbalists used wild yam to treat various female complaints, coughs, muscle spasms and cramps, and upset stomach. Wild yam is still used today to support glandular and reproductive health, promote muscle relaxation, and encourage healthy digestive function.

Fennel

Fennel is an aromatic herb that helps soothe digestive disturbances and relax smooth muscles of the digestive and intestinal tract. Fennel is regarded as a traditional cleansing herb and is often used after eating to ease cramping, bloating and gas. A member of the carrot family and native to the Mediterranean region, fennel's feathery green leaves and white base are almost a cross between celery and carrots. Fennel seeds are commonly used to flavor Middle Eastern, Indian and Chinese dishes.

Dong Quai

Also known as female ginseng, dong quai benefits the circulatory, nervous and immune systems. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners often use dong quai to restore the body's vital energy known as "qi" or "chi", and to return the body to a state of natural balance. Chinese physicians also use dong quai to enrich the blood, promote circulation, calm the nerves, relax muscle cramping and spasms, and soothe the intestines.

Lobelia

Lobelia promotes the release of digestive fluids and helps relax muscle spasms and cramps. Lobelia also offers natural components that support and calm the nervous system, working as a universal relaxant.

Spearmint

Spearmint is native to Europe and Asia and has become a popular addition to salads, beverages and many dishes. This plant’s spear-shaped leaves contain menthol, a terpene with cooling and perhaps soothing properties. Spearmint also contains carvone, which adds to its sweet flavor. Spearmint leaves and oil have been used traditionally for digestion issues, including nausea and gas.

Catnip

Catnip, a perennial herb belonging to the mint family, contains aromatic compounds that help support digestive function. Used traditionally in Europe for centuries, catnip leaves were brewed as a tea to aid digestion after meals. Catnip has also been used to help expel occasional gas, relax the smooth muscles of the digestive tract, and control hiccups.