Calming Carminatives?
Herbs to help ease gas, bloating + spasms when
you're stressed, anxious or irritable

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I think many of us just accept the discomfort we have in our guts without question. 

I was talking to a client recently and I actively had to ask her if she ever notices any symptoms after eating for her to remember that she commonly experiences sharp pain in her belly and doesn't know why. 

The fact that it wasn't top of mind for her because she's just accepted that as part of her day-to-day life is indicative of how much we normalize digestive upset. 

Some folks have chronic loose stools, endless gas, bloating after almost every meal, alternating constipation and loose stools or even painful, sharp spasms regularly in their bellies... and they don't pay any attention.

I had another client who told me she's had gut symptoms her entire life, and her mom has them too, so it's not something she even thinks of as a "symptom."

I want to call bullshit on this way of thinking. 

Our bodies are wisdomkeepers, and your gut is giving you information.

Which is not to say that you need to wallow in suffering because of your symptoms, but instead that it's a good idea to start taking note of what they are, and when they show up. 

Herbs like relaxing carminatives can be especially helpful at easing some of the gas, bloating and spasms.

And when we narrow in on the *relaxing* carminatives they are even more specific for times when you notice stress, anxiety or irritability in relation to your gut symptoms (which is exceedingly common). 

The gut-brain connection is real, so when you're having those digestive symptoms, your mood and mind will no doubt be impacted. 

Unfortunately relaxing carminatives won't get to the ROOT of the problem, but they can help your belly calm down and soften to ease symptoms along the way. 

And they can be worked with intentionally in times of increased stress (like the current global situation), or heightened anxiety (like perhaps holiday gatherings), or cyclic hormonal shifts that mess with your gut (like, say loose stools the first day of your moon). 

The better we feel in our bellies, the more steady and strong we can show up in the world. 



Listen in to learn:

• what carminatives are and how to add them into your daily life
• when you would want to consider RELAXING carminatives
• how muscle tension might increase pain sensations (+ how carminatives can help)
• a basic overview of 8 relaxing carminatives (why, when, how you might use them)
• how to add some carminatives into your holiday meals (or anytime)

Resources: 

• Link to find the indigenous land you're on!
• Sign up for the Natural Contraception (Jan 2024) waitlist
• Episode 4: Herbal Spotlight on Tulsi
• Episode 44: Bitters and hormonal balance
• Episode 58: Gut - hormone connection

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.

Trusted sources for bulk herbs:

LARGE COMPANIES 

• Mountain Rose Herbs (affiliate link - same price as anywhere, I just receive a tiny kickback) 
  
• Mountain Rose Herbs (not an affiliate link, Mountain Rose gets all your $)
• Pacific Botanicals - California-grown and globally sourced herbs
• Banyan Botanicals - Ayurvedic herbs

REGIONAL, FARM-BASED COMPANIES

• Zack Woods Herb Farm (VT)
• Healing Spirits (NY)
• Sawmill Herb Farm (MA)
• Oshala Farm (OR)
• Meetinghouse Farm (ME)
• Sonoma County Herb Exchange (CA)

Learn to track your cycle and listen to your own body wisdom - Track Your Cycle Simply in 3 Easy Steps Guide (click here)  

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