Simple herbs offer fantastic remedies for a number of ailments. Shopping for herbs in a health store is the in thing now. But, this can be an expensive exercise. Growing these herbs in your backyard or in pots in your balcony makes them easily accessible and affordable. Here`s a list of ailments which can be treated with kitchen herbs.

Mint (Mentha spp.): Spearmints, peppermints and other mints are all respected for their digestive benefits. Well-studied for its digestive effects, peppermint contains several carminatives - menthol, anethole and carvone - that settle the stomach and relieve gas. Peppermint is also a gentle `bitter herb.` Bitter herbs are those that aid digestion by stimulating bile production.

Caraway (Carum carvi): Caraway seeds contain carvone and other compounds that relax the smooth muscles of the digestive tract. Seed extracts used in certain commercial herbal digestive aids with peppermint oil have been found to improve chronic indigestion.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale): The gingerols and shogaols in ginger are antispasmodics, soothing the stomach and stimulating peristalsis. Ginger encourages gastric emptying. It also relieves constipation, and may ease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Source: Dr K Gowthaman, Medical Director, rVita (rVita Ayurveda Centers)

Image: Wikimedia Commons
Also read: Home remedies from spices

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