Fennel: Before blending this tea I gently crush the fennel seeds with a mortar and pestle to release the volatile oils. Herbalists attribute fennel's abilities to its aromatic qualities that come from its volatile oil content. Fennel is an excellent stomach and intestinal remedy that relieves colic and flatulence while also stimulating digestion. The seeds are carminative, aromatic and antispasmodic (Hoffman). Fennel is known to reduce bloating, cramping and gut pain due to intestinal spasms. Drinking fennel tea after meals helps support good digestion and ward off discomfort (De La Foret). Several studies have shown fennel seed's potent ability to relieve colic (1, 2, 3) especially when combined with herbs like chamomile and lemon balm and peppermint.
Dill: Before blending this tea I also gently crush the dill seeds to release their carminative oils. This is another herb that is an excellent choice for relieving colic and flatulence and also stimulates milk flow. Dill seed is carminative aromatic, antispasmodic and galactagogue (Hoffman). Dill has been used for centuries to ease digestive discomfort (2). It helps relax smooth muscle spasms and has even been known to help with insomnia and sleep disturbances.
Peppermint: Peppermint leaf is a fantastic herb for the relief of cramps, poor digestion, nausea, abdominal pains and vomiting (among other uses!) This herb is carminative, analgesic and antispasmodic and cholagogue (Lust). Peppermint is rich in phytochemicals like antioxidant rich flavonoids and tannins and minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and potassium (4).
Chamomile: German chamomile flowers are an excellent herb for babies (and adults) for many reasons. They are so soothing and relaxing to many nervous conditions. Chamomile flower is antispasmodic, calmative, carminative, diaphoretic and a tonic herb (Lust). It works to reduce inflammation and move digestion without being a purgative (Hoffman). Chamomile contains antioxidant flavonoids and has antimicrobial activity (5). Studies have also shown chamomile to help alleviate insomnia and depression as well as alleviating diarrhea and PMS symptoms (6).
Lemon Balm: Lemon balm leaf is a wonderful relaxing nervine herb that is an aromatic digestant and antispasmodic. It is used to relieve pain due to stomach cramps, tension and headaches and promotes sleep through gentle sedating properties (De La Foret). Lemon balm has demonstrated positive effects on anxiety, mood and cognitive performance (7)
Ginger: Ginger root is an excellent herb for so many reasons! Here it really shines for its carminative, anti-inflammatory, aromatic and analgesic properties. Ginger root is one of the best choices for supporting digestion and it works to relieve bloating, gas and constipation. (De La Foret). It is shown to be one of the most important herbs for its digestive enhancing properties (8) and helps to promote saliva production, combat dyspepsia and relieve flatulent colic. It increases the body's production of saliva and other digestive fluids, which relieves an upset stomach and supports healthy digestion. Speeding up digestion helps clean the kidneys and bowels to remove toxins from the body. It also helps ease morning sickness, nausea and motion sickness. (9)
1. https://www.proquest.com/openview/72477f299b92441caa842b69467c5671/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=32528
2. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6158747_The_Gripe_An_Integrative_Approach_to_Infant_Colic
3. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/361810778_The_Effect_of_Fennel_on_Infantile_Colic_A_Systematic_Review_and_Meta-Analysis
4. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352213544_Phytochemicals_and_Elemental_Analysis_of_Methanol_Leave_Extract_of_Peppermint_Tea_Mentha_Piperita_L
5. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ptr.1900
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5074766/
7. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/6/11/4805
8. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09637486.2011.627841
9. https://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:rjpp&volume=2&issue=2&article=002
References:
Alchemy of Herbs, De La Foret, Rosalee
Medical Herbalism, Hoffman, David.
The Herb Book: Lust, John.
