Easy Digestion Tips

This papaya, banana and ginger smoothie is a tempting indigestion home remedy. Slightly spicy without being hot, the sweetness of fresh fruits will soothe your digestive system whilst herbal ingredients restore normal digestion.

 Each of the ingredients in this natural remedy for indigestion has its own digestive healing properties. In combination, they yield a considerable positive effect on food digestion.

 Papaya is an alkaline-producing fruit that aids in detoxification by flushing toxins out of the body.

 Bananas soothe the digestive system, restore normal function in the digestive tract and reduce flatulence. The pectin (a fibre) in bananas helps the body get rid of toxic wastes. Bananas are a commonly recommended for the related problems of constipation and diarrhoea.

 For centuries, traditional medicines have made use of ginger as an aid to digestion. Ginger increases digestive enzymes, protects the lining of the stomach, stimulates bile flow and reduces flatulence.

 Lemonbalm has a sweet and lemony flavour which enhances this fruity drink, but you could use other herbs that are beneficial to the digestive system such as peppermint, sage or fennel.

 Papaya, Banana and Ginger Smoothie Recipe Makes approximately 1 litre (4 large glasses)
 Ingredients 1 papaya
2 bananas
 2 tspns freshly grated ginger
 8-10 lemon balm leaves
 250ml (1 cup) water
 Steps 1. Grate ginger.
 2. Peel and chop the papaya into large chunks.
 3. Place the papaya chunks, bananas, ginger, lemon balm and water into your blender and blend for 30 seconds.
 Tips  Bananas are easiest to digest when they’re ripe – use bananas after they’ve lost their greenness around the tips.
  Try and keep this smoothie at room temperature by using unrefrigerated fruit and water. Food at extremes of cold and heat can have a negative effect on the digestive system.
 A convenient and easy way to add a combination of ginger and other beneficial herbs is to use a prepared herbal remedy such as Digest Assist from Native Remedies (aff.). This remedy for acute and chronic digestive problems con
tains ginger and fennel, peppermint and stomach bush.