Post Easter De-Bloat Smoothie

5-Digestion-3

Who overindulged this Easter? Me! I made chocolate and mixed it with the biggest spoon in the drawer so there was more surface area to lick! And, my Nana gave me three easter bunnies, one for me, one for my partner, one for my brother…my partner’s went M.I.A, and my brother’s arrived sans ears. Bunny Tax. For me delivering it to him. That’s terrible isn’t it! Poor boys.

I don’t want to even look at chocolate for the rest of my life. Or at LEAST a few days. Anyway, I made this smoothie, it has all the special things in it that stimulate your digestion, calm and de-bloat the stomach. Here are the superstars that make it so special:

Aloe Vera

Aloe is cooling and soothing to the digestive tract. It effectively reduces inflammation without any side effects. It naturally cleans the digestive tract, and aids in constipation. Aloe is great at soothing and curing stomach ulcers, IBS, Crohn’s and Celiac disease. This is due to the polysaccharides in the plant. Treating gut conditions like these is one of Aloe’s best known applications.

For this smoothie recipe, you can either use Aloe Vera juice, store bought, or if you have a plant, you can cut off an inch, fillet it, and pop it in the blender. Also remember to thank the plant for sharing her beautiful healing medicine with you!

Pineapple

Pineapple contains the protein digestive enzyme Bromelain, to help us break down our food. Bromelain also works to curb the appetite, reduces inflammation and swelling, can give relief for sinus and speed up wound healing. Pineapple is also high in fibre, speeding up transit time in the colon (= flat tummy), and a great source of Vitamin C and manganese. Manganese is an essential cofactor in enzymes needed for energy production and antioxidant defense.

Mint

Mint is a carminative and digestant. It soothes the digestive tract. It’s especially useful for those with IBS, to help settle the tummy. It can relieve spasms and gas. It’s comforting – like giving your tummy a hug.

Ginger

Also a carminative, traditionally used to aid gastrointestinal distress. It relieves gas, and calms muscles spasms in the gut. It is also used to prevent motion sickness, nausea and vomiting. It gets right into the gastrointestinal tract and neutralizes acids, hormones, and toxins. Ginger is anti-inflammatory, thanks to the anti-inflammatory compounds Gingerols, which inhibit the inflammatory messengers of the immune system. This makes it really good for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Turmeric

A potent anti-inflammatory, due to Curcumin (the bright yellow pigment), an anti-oxidant. Usefull for treating digestive disorders – gas, bloating, stomach ulcers, Crohn’s and Colitis. It adds a very subtle kick to the smoothie.