It’s 2020. Our technology is advanced. Our internet is high speed, and our ability to “connect” with one another is virtually limitless. In the last 50 years or so, we’ve seen more advancements in the way we externally do things than we have in the last two centuries, yet, we’re seeing more internal imbalance than ever before.
Every second person I know has a digestive, nervous, immune, or intestinal system imbalance, yet no one is talking about it! No one is talking about how these imbalances are impacting our daily lives, and no one is talking about why many of us feel the symptoms we do. Our societal focus has shifted from one of personal growth and love to instead, the growth and love of technology, the economy, and our bank accounts.
Seldom are we taught to look inward at the health of our bodies and the price that they pay to live at lightning speed.
The last two years, I’ve chosen to slow down, focus on my body, and reflect on the messages it’s trying to tell me—or scream at me, rather. As I sit here and drink a steaming (okay, fine, it’s luke warm now, because I get distracted easily) cup of Woash Wellness’ DIGEST tea, I couldn’t be any more pleased with my decision—
My decision to stop and ask my body what it needs from the world, not the other way around.
Every once in a while, we all get caught up in the hustle that comes along with this busy thing we call ‘life’, and unfortunately, our digestion is often the first internal process to take a hit from all the external stimuli that comes along with it. When we’re stressed, our bodies protect us from ‘stress’ or danger, and ultimately slow down or stop our digestion. It’s a natural survival mechanism. Unfortunately, our bodies can’t differentiate between what’s real danger, and what’s just everyday stress.
It’s up to us, and only us, to put our digestion first—
When was the last time someone asked you how your emotional and physical body feels?
I find, in a time like this—a time of uncertainty, a time of fear, and a time of countless unknowns—my body needs all the extra help it can get. I use Woash’s Digest tea to compliment the health routine that I’ve created for my unique needs. If I’m being honest, I’ll admit that I’m nowhere near perfect. I still find myself crawling back to the clutches of chronic stress, poor diet choices, and destructive thought patterns from time to time. I’m human too, just like you. And although I’ve built my life around a foundation of personal awareness, it’s easy to get sucked back into the tunnel vision of modern society; a kind of vision that ignores internal wellness.
$12.50
Digestif | Balancing | Stimulating | Soothing | Bloating A refreshing tea of crisp mint balanced with a blend of bitter sweet herbs designed to stimulate the digestive system, calm discomfort and support natural digestion. Great to sip before a… read moreDIGEST TEA
Herbs for Digestion
Here's why I choose to nourish my body with DIGEST that is not just, nourishing, but purposeful too:
- Peppermint: calming, relaxing, and a great aid to digestion due to its ability to relax stomach muscles and reduce cramping, nausea, and bloating. Peppermint is actually thought to relax so much that it should be avoided by those who have GERD, as it may contribute to further relaxing of the lower esophageal sphincter. The average person can greatly benefit from the relaxing powers of peppermint.
- Marshmallow Root: Has a high mucilage content, which covers the digestive tract with a protective lining and eases inflammation in the gut, helping to soothe ulcers, diarrhea, and constipation, as well as restoring the integrity of the small junctions found in the small intestine.
- Licorice Root: Helps the body repair the gut lining by replenishing the mucus that creates a healthy intestinal barrier. Licorice has been used for more than 3,000 years as a treatment for digestive issues such as ulcers and indigestion, and this ancient wisdom is now backed up by science.
- Fennel Seeds: Anti-inflammatory and relaxing to the entire digestive tract. Indian food often incorporates these seeds into a number of flavourful dishes, as they can help calm the body and balance out the spice of a dish.
- Chamomile: A few studies have found that chamomile extract has the potential to protect against diarrhea in mice. This is attributed to its anti-inflammatory properties. It may also help to reduce the risk of ulcers, as it may inhibit the growth of bacteria that contribute to ulcer development.
- Blackcurrant: Antiviral and antimicrobial, as well as a potent antioxidant, blackcurrant is also thought to promote blood flow throughout the body, a function imperative to the digestive system, especially during stress.
My favourite way to incorporate the Digest blend into my daily life!
I start my morning with an extra large steeped cup (warm, not hot). Why in the morning? Early in the morning, before starting our day and filling our stomachs with food, we have the opportunity to have nutrients such as the ones mentioned above flow through our digestive and intestinal systems with ease, without the worry of interrupting the digestion of any food still in our system. Plus, in the morning, we’re usually more dehydrated as we have just woken up from a 7-10 hour fast, and our body will be craving fluids.
When I want to mix things up, I like to make a very concentrated cup of the tea (⅓ cup steeped for 10 minutes), let it cool (with ice cubes or in the fridge) and then add it to my daily smoothie.
Photo by Roslyn Kent
Digest Smoothie Recipe:
- 1 cup frozen mango
- 1 frozen banana
- ½ cup Digest tea
- ½ cup water
- 3 small dates
- 1 tbsp hemp hearts
- 1 tbsp ground flax
- 1 tbsp unflavoured vegan protein
Sometimes, if I’m experiencing post-meal symptoms such as bloating and discomfort, I’ll make myself a cup of Digest 1-2 hours after eating (this time frame is important to ensure that I’m not disrupting the digestion of food I’ve just eaten), and have a room temperature cup before bed. Hot tea is okay too, but I find my body is often overwhelmed by excessively hot liquids and I’m cautious of consuming them too often. At room temperature, my body doesn’t have to work hard to cool the tea down or heat it up (if it was iced), and can instead focus on utilizing the ingredients more efficiently.
This week, and now more than ever, I encourage you to take some time for your body, your digestion, and your overall well-being. Start with a cup of tea, and take a few moments to reflect on what your body needs today.
With love and health,
Roslyn Kent | Plant Based RHN
If you can resonate with Roslyn's story and often find yourself with an upset stomach or discomfort post eating give her Digest Smoothie recipe a try! Shop DIGEST here!
This article was written by Roslyn Kent of Plants First
