Achillea Millefolium for Digestive Health
Like many of the herbs of Europe, achillea millefolium has a broad number of culinary applications, some dating back as far as the Middle Ages. Before the implementation of hops, yarrow was used in an herbal mixture known as gruit to add flavor to beer, and its leaves and flowers are still used in a number of bitters and liquors. The leaves, known to have a sweet and slightly bitter taste, can be used as a leaf vegetable similar to spinach, added to salad or soup, and was especially popular in the 17th century. Today, its leaves are dried and used as either a culinary spice, or brewed into a tea. Its mildly bitter nature is simply one of the many ways this herb can aid healthy digestion.
How Bitter Foods Benefit Digestion
Though bitter is considered one of the least popular kinds of flavor, bitter foods serve an important function for our digestion, not only because many of them are high in nutrients and health benefits, but because the very bitter taste itself aids our digestion. When we taste something bitter, our body stimulates the release of digestive enzymes. These enzymes help to break down food and allow for better absorption of nutrients. Bitter foods also reduce the cravings for sugar, which is very helpful for maintaining a healthy diet.
Most bitter foods also contain several important nutrients. Many bitter foods are high in fiber, which help to cleanse the bowels of toxins and waste, and promote regular bowel movements. They also contain sulfurous compounds that support the cleansing action of the liver. Bitter foods also support the metabolism, which controls energy levels in the body as well as the storing and utilizing of fats.
Achillea Millefolium Tea’s Digestive Benefits
As a bitter food, achillea millefolium tea is highly beneficial for the digestive system. Its bitter quality promotes digestion, metabolic function, and bowel cleansing. Other properties of achillea millefolium tea also benefit digestion, such as its anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects. These help to quiet numerous unpleasant symptoms such as nausea, bowel cramps and diarrhea, as it relaxes the muscles and alleviates inflammation in the stomach and bowels. It is known as a digestive tonic, able to tone and support digestion, and its ability to promote circulation also provides better blood flow to the digestive system, further supporting digestive function.
