If you suffer from chronic indigestion, constipation, upset stomach or some other persistent digestive disorder that you are having trouble remedying, essential oils just might be your answer for finding lasting relief. Here are five of the most effective essential oils among many others that can be used to treat chronic digestive distress:
1) Peppermint oil. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), peppermint oil contains unique compounds that can help relax digestive muscles and allow painful digestive gas to pass. If you experience frequent nausea, diarrhea, or menstrual cramps, or suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), peppermint oil can also provide lasting relief for these uncomfortable conditions.
Because of its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, peppermint oil can help fight off any harmful invaders that may have taken hold in the digestive tract and triggered irritation. Studies show that taking enteric-coated peppermint capsules -- enteric coating prevents the oil from being released in the stomach, and instead allows it to pass directly into the digestive tract -- can also help eliminate abdominal swelling, flatulence, and abdominal pain.
2) Clove oil. Inflammation of the intestinal lining can cause chronic digestive discomfort and pain for many people. But taking clove oil can help alleviate these symptoms, as it is known to relax the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract and prevent intestinal spasms, nausea, diarrhea, bloating, and gas. Like peppermint oil, clove oil also possesses unique antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties that can help eliminate any pathogens that may be triggering digestive upset.
Composed of up to 95 percent eugenol, clove oil has been shown to help treat Candida albicans, yeast infections, and various other fungal overgrowths that can disrupt proper digestive function and, if left unchecked, lead to more serious chronic illnesses down the road. Taking clove oil also tends to stimulate digestive function and energize the body, which makes it a helpful and safe digestive aid to take with meals.
3) Cardamom oil. Recognized for its ability to help stimulate digestion, cardamom oil can help maintain both a healthy colon and a well-functioning digestive tract. Because it helps stimulate the balanced secretion of gastric juices, bile, and other vital digestive acids, cardamom oil makes an excellent remedy for many common digestive disorders, including ulcerative colitis, constipation, acid reflux disease, and diverticulitis, among others.
"Studies confirm that cardamom oil acts as an analgesic and antispasmodic in rats and rabbits, producing relief and lowered distention and writhing within digestive systems reacting negatively to uncomfortable stimuli," says HerbWisdom.com. "This effect is the primary medicinal quality of cardamom, and Eastern cultures have been taking advantage of it for centuries."
4) Oil of oregano. Another powerful essential oil you will want to have in your arsenal of digestive remedies is oil of oregano, an extremely powerful antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic healing oil that works better than over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and antibiotics at eliminating harmful pathogens, which are often the cause of digestive problems in many people. By helping to kill off harmful bacteria; for instance, oil of oregano has helped many people restore a proper bacterial balance in their digestive tract.
Because of its incredible antibacterial power, oil of oregano is best taken in cycles only when proper digestion has gotten out of whack. In other words, after several weeks, or perhaps months, of using oil of oregano to help eliminate the pathogens responsible for intestinal upset, it may be best to stop taking it for a while and begin building back up digestive balance with probiotic food and supplements as part of a healthy diet.
5) Tarragon oil. Historically known as the "herb of the dragon," tarragon oil has many medicinal uses, which include its powerful ability to stimulate appetite and digestive function. Tarragon oil has long been used throughout history for these and other purposes, and may provide exceptional digestive relief particularly when combined with various other beneficial essential oils.
Because it also helps fight intestinal worms, tarragon oil can effectively eliminate this common cause of digestive upset in many people. Tarragon oil also helps stimulate the liver's natural production of bile, a critical component of the digestive process that aids in both the assimilation of fats and other nutrients by the body, and the elimination of toxins from the body.
