I’m all about prevention and whole-body healing, so take a look at what you’re eating in the first place that makes you get indigestion.  Is it pretty much all foods, or just certain foods - maybe spicy or greasy?  Do you get it after overeating?  You might need to change your diet a little bit!  Also take note of your emotions when you get tummy troubles - do you get indigestion when you’re stressed out or anxious?

Here are my favorite herbs for indigestion:

• Peppermint  - It’s like nature’s Peptobismol!  It is especially effective in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) because it relaxes the muscles that struggle with digestive gas and improve the flow of bile.
• Fennel seed - This has a long history of being used to fight gas, cramps, and acid indigestion, and to help ease spasms in the intestinal tract.
• Lemon balm - A member of the mint family, lemon balm help eases indigestion and is especially helpful if combined with other herbs.  If your indigestion is caused by stress, lemon balm can also help relax you.
• Ginger - There have been a ton of studies on ginger that clinically prove it is helpful in preventing/treating nausea, vomiting, stomach aches and indigestion, even motion sickness!

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Lemon balm is a highly aromatic plant that is easy to grow in your garden. Like many mints, it has a variety of uses and is generally safe for all ages. It also tastes wonderful, making it an easy remedy to get down picky throats.  Children seeking comfort from the pain of teething can use lemon balm as a tea or can chew on a washcloth soaked in tea.

Lemon balm is an aromatic digestant that can be used for indigestion, gas, bloating, and other digestive complaints.  It is also antiviral and a relaxing diaphoretic, making it an ideal choice for colds and the flu, especially when accompanied by a fever. It is often combined with St. John’s Wort, both topically and internally, to relieve cold sores. Because both of these antiviral herbs are relaxing nervines, they make an especially beneficial pairing for these stress-related sores.  Lemon balm’s calming abilities are especially suited for tissues in an excited state such as hyperthyroidism.  Because it is often used for hyperthyroidism, some caution those with a hypothyroid from using too much of it.

If you’re feeling overly stressed with a go-go-go-go mentality, a daily lemon balm infusion can help you to slow down and unwind.  I make a nice valerian-lemon balm tea which tastes great and is so soothing!