Remedies

Peppermint is a wonderful digestive remedy, especially useful for the upper GI tract, for relief of heartburn, indigestion, nausea, and the like (be aware that peppermint tea can worsen the heartburn experienced with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and may also promote flow of bile from the gall bladder and complicate gallstones - consult your doctor if you have these conditions). You can buy pure peppermint leaf tea in most supermarkets. Brew it in a covered container to avoid loss of volatile components, and drink as much of it as you like, hot or iced. This herb is also soothing to the lower GI tract. Enteric-coated capsules of peppermint oil have been used for irritable bowel syndrome. Enteric coating resists attack by stomach acid, so the capsules pass into the intestines intact and release their contents there. As with garlic, our familiarity with peppermint makes us less likely to take it seriously as a medicine, but in fact it is one of the most powerful and effective remedies for gastrointestinal complaints. It is also nontoxic.