Dyspepsia is the medical term for indigestion. Indigestion is a dysfunction of the digestive system linked to excess stomach acid – presenting as the sensation of fullness post meal with varying degrees of intensity of discomfort in the upper abdomen. Sometimes accompanied by heartburn, hiccups, regurgitating, nausea and also bloating and intestinal distress.

It can be a precursor/symptom of gastroenteritis or peptic ulcer – so a check up may be in the cards. Most commonly thought of as a reaction to spicy food but in truth any food can flare up the stomach digestive acids. Indigestion can also be triggered by alcohol consumption and certain prescription medications as well as be symptomatic of pregnancy or stress.

Natural cures for this condition include traditional ‘bitters’ (digestants) such as gentian, dandelion and artichoke. Gentian root and dandelion also augment the digestion of proteins and fats. Milk thistle tincture is very effective but also a simple Yarrow tea is remedial to stomach and digestive complaints.

Carminative herbs such as angelica, chamomile, fennel or lemon balm speed up digestion and reduce gas. Peppermint tea is a supreme digestive, speeding up the process and the time it takes the stomach to empty so cutting short acidic reactions. Lovage root is also a digestive.

Aloe vera juice is not so easy to standardize in the home kitchen from home grown supplies and while it soothes the digestive tract and stomach, it can be laxative or emetic depending on intensity – a tablespoon scoop of the inner gel blitzed in 8ounces of water should be sipped to assay intensity. Store bought is good option.

Kitchen support – Ginger is a digestive – boosting assimilation of food- but can also be really helpful with the ancillary symptoms of nausea, belching, flatulence. you can start to cook more with dill, coriander, basil, caraway, cardamom, rosemary – to stimulate speedy digestion.

While spicy food can exacerbate, some condiments can address discomfort – both black pepper and mustard stimulate the taste buds for extra digesting salvia and also signal secretions of digestive hydrochloric acid within the stomach – which yes is more acid but it works to give quick turn around – the bloating and ancillary complications are really ‘un-digestion’ complications.

Indigestion can persist beyond a post meal flare up and many people find relieve with a grape snack (10 or so will hit the spot) or some slices of apple. Both contain phytochemical that calm digestive upset. Pineapple contains digestive enzymes that can help reduce flare up. Green tea with some honey is a good way to end a meal and deliver some calming principles to the digestive system

some helpful recipes from https://www.mercierpress.ie/irish-books/the-holistic-gardener-natural-cures-for-common-ailments/

No gripes grape, apple and shredded fennel salad.

Ingredients
1/2 cup shredded fennel bulb
10 or so grapes
1 apple
Cream fraiche (or other coating /salad dressing).

Method. Half and chill the grapes. Shred fennel. Peel, cored and diced the apple, toss it in a dash of lemon juice to slow oxidization. Combine all ingredients with a dollop of cream fraiche or sour cream, fold together – serve and enjoy.

Angelica and lemon balm tea

Angelica root is more potent than the leaves but it needs to be properly dried before use – for indigestion purposes the leaf tea delivers the photochemical we require and the flavour is pleasant with lemon balm – also remedial to condition

Method. Gather enough foliage of each plant to yield a chopped teaspoon each– add teaspoon of each to a cup of boiling water, infuse for 10 minutes. Leaves can be harvested in greater quantity and dried to make a blend of equal quantity by volume.