Did you know 70% of the body’s immune system lives in the digestive tract? Maintaining a healthy gut and overall digestive health is crucial to overall health. Many people make the mistake of thinking that the only purpose of the digestive tract is to provide nutrients to the rest of the body and remove waste. While those are two important roles the digestive tract serves, it is connected and responsible for so many other parts of the body and can seriously impact our physical and mental health if it is not functioning properly.
Many digestive issues can be alleviated with natural solutions such as incorporating gut-healthy foods into your diet, regular exercise, staying hydrated, and supplementing with doTERRA products made specifically for digestive health. In this article, we’re going to cover solutions to help improve digestion and restore digestive health, along with 9 doTERRA products you can start using right away.
The Importance of Digestive Health
Digestive health is essential for overall health and well-being. The digestive system is responsible for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients, which are necessary for our bodies to function properly. When the digestive system is not functioning well, it can lead to a wide range of health problems.
Nutrient Absorption: The digestive system is responsible for breaking down food into nutrients, which are then absorbed into the bloodstream and used by the body for energy, growth, and repair. If the digestive system is not working properly, it can lead to nutrient deficiencies and other health problems.
Immune System Support: The digestive system is also home to a large number of beneficial bacteria that help support the immune system. These bacteria help to keep harmful bacteria and viruses at bay, preventing infections and illnesses.
Mental Health: There is a growing body of research that suggests that the health of the gut and the health of the brain are interconnected. The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication system that allows the brain and the gut to communicate with each other. Research has shown that a healthy gut can lead to better mental health and vice versa.
Overall Health: Digestive problems can lead to a range of health problems, including inflammation, autoimmune disorders, and even cancer. By maintaining good digestive health, you can help reduce your risk of these and other health problems.
There are many things you can do to promote digestive health, including eating a healthy diet that is high in fiber and low in processed foods, getting regular exercise, managing stress, and staying hydrated. It is also important to avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, both of which can have a negative impact on digestive health.
Symptoms of Poor Digestive Health
Poor digestive health can manifest itself in many different ways, and the symptoms can vary depending on the underlying cause.
Symptoms of Poor Digestive Health
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Heartburn
- Abdominal Pain
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Unexplained Weight Loss
Gut-Friendly Foods to Include in Your Diet
Fiber-rich Foods: Fiber is essential for promoting healthy bowel function and maintaining a healthy gut. Good sources of fiber include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
Fermented Foods: Fermented foods are rich in beneficial bacteria that can help support the immune system and promote healthy digestion. Good sources of fermented foods include yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and miso.
Probiotic Foods: Probiotic foods contain live cultures of beneficial bacteria that can help improve gut health. Good sources of probiotic foods include yogurt, kefir, kombucha, and pickles.
Prebiotic Foods: Prebiotic foods are rich in fiber that cannot be digested by the body but provides food for the beneficial bacteria in the gut. Good sources of prebiotic foods include onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, and bananas.
Bone Broth: Bone broth is rich in nutrients and collagen, which can help promote healthy digestion and reduce inflammation in the gut.
doTERRA Essential Oils for Digestive Health
Here are a few of the most commonly used oils:
- Peppermint: Peppermint essential oil is known for its ability to support healthy digestion. It can help reduce gas and bloating, soothe upset stomachs, and support healthy bowel function. Peppermint oil can be taken internally, applied topically, or diffused for aromatherapy purposes.
- Ginger: Ginger essential oil is another oil that can be used to support healthy digestion. It can help reduce nausea and vomiting, support healthy bowel function, and soothe upset stomachs. Ginger oil can be taken internally, applied topically, or diffused for aromatherapy purposes.
- Fennel: Fennel essential oil is often used to support healthy digestion. It can help reduce bloating, support healthy bowel function, and soothe upset stomachs. Fennel oil can be taken internally, applied topically, or diffused for aromatherapy purposes.
You will notice that these oils are used in many of the products discussed below.
9 Natural Solutions for Better Digestion
1. DigestZen Essential Oil
DigestZen (also known as Zengest in Canada and Australia) is a proprietary blend of essential oils that can help reduce bloating, gas, and digestive discomfort. It contains oils such as ginger, peppermint, anise, caraway, coriander, and fennel, which have been shown to promote healthy digestion. These oils are believed to have a calming effect on the digestive system.
DigestZen can be used aromatically, topically, or internally. When used aromatically, it can be diffused or inhaled directly from the bottle. When used topically, it can be applied to the stomach or abdominal area, either alone or in combination with a carrier oil. When used internally, it can be taken in a vegetable capsule or added to water or other beverages.
When my daughter was a baby and suffered with gas pain, I would take one drop of DigestZen and a squirt of fractionated coconut oil into my hands, rub my hands together, and then rub the mixture onto her feet. I could see the relief on her face after only a few minutes. As a new mom, I was super grateful to have something so simple to use on my baby to help ease her discomfort.
2. DigestZen Softgels
They contain the same blend of essential oils as the original DigestZen, but in a convenient and easy-to-use softgel form. The softgels are designed to help support healthy digestion and ease occasional stomach discomfort, bloating, and gas. The softgels can be taken before or after meals to help support digestive health and promote overall wellness.
These softgels are perfect for anyone who does not like the taste of DigestZen. DigestZen essential oil does have a strong black licorice taste, so if you don’t like black licorice you probably won’t like the taste of DigestZen essential oil.
Watch my video below to learn how to get DigestZen Essential Oil and DigestZen Softgels for free.
3. DigestZen Touch
It contains the same proprietary blend of essential oils found in the original DigestZen, but in a convenient roller bottle that has been pre-diluted with a carrier oil for safe and easy application.
DigestZen Touch is designed to be applied topically to the abdomen or bottoms of the feet to help support healthy digestion and ease occasional stomach discomfort, bloating, and gas. The roller bottle makes it easy to apply the blend without the need to dilute it yourself, and the small size of the bottle makes it easy to carry with you for use throughout the day.
4. PB Assist+
PB Assist is a probiotic supplement. It is designed to support healthy digestive and immune system function by providing a blend of beneficial probiotic bacteria to the gut.
The probiotic strains in PB Assist include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, which have been selected for their ability to promote digestive and immune system health.
PB Assist is formulated using a unique double-layer capsule technology that helps protect the probiotics from stomach acid, allowing them to reach the intestines and colon where they can provide the most benefit.
PB Assist is designed to be taken daily, preferably with a meal, to help support healthy gut function and immune system health.
5. TerraZyme
TerraZyme Digestive Enzyme Complex is a proprietary blend of active whole-food enzymes and supporting cofactors that are often deficient in cooked, processed, and preservative-laden foods. The powerful combination of digestive enzymes found in DigestZen TerraZyme supports the body’s constant production of enzymes critical for healthy biochemical functions, including healthy digestion of food nutrients and cellular metabolism of nutrients to energy. DigestZen TerraZyme includes a variety of whole-food enzymes that help with the digestion of proteins, fats, complex carbohydrates, sugars, and fiber.
Unrelated to the digestive system, TerraZyme contains metabolic enzymes which are responsible for cell growth, cell repair, and cell maintenance. This means that TerraZyme can also help to heal wounds more efficiently by promoting cell growth.
6. Peppermint Softgels
Peppermint Softgels are a convenient way to take peppermint oil. The capsule that the peppermint oil is contained in, is what makes the softgel a little bit different than taking just Peppermint oil. The coating on the Peppermint Softgels allows the Peppermint Oil to pass through the stomach acid and into the lower GI Tract.
Peppermint oil is known for its refreshing, invigorating, and cooling properties, and has been traditionally used for a variety of health benefits.
Peppermint Softgels are designed to promote healthy respiratory function and digestive health and can also provide a refreshing and energizing boost throughout the day. They can be taken before meals to help support healthy digestion and ease occasional stomach discomfort, bloating, gas, and reduce symptoms of irritable bowel situations.
7. Tamer
Tamer is a blend of essential oils created for kids (obviously adults can use it too, but it is a mild formula so that kids can use it by themselves). Tamer is pre-diluted with a carrier oil to make it gentle and safe for use on children. The rollerball applicator also makes it easy and convenient to apply to a child's abdomen, bottoms of their feet or their back.
The essential oils in Tamer include Spearmint, Japanese Peppermint, Ginger, and Black Pepper, which have been traditionally used for their digestive benefits, and are also known for their soothing and calming properties. This is another great option if you do not like the taste or aroma of DigestZen.
My daughter keeps this blend in her room, next to her bed. She knows that if she wakes up in the middle of the night with stomach discomfort, she can roll this right on her belly. Tamer has such a mild aroma that she could take this blend to school, and no one would really be able to smell it on her. This is also a must have oil anytime we go on road trips.
8. DigestZen Tabs
DigeestZen Tabs contain the same essential oils in the other DigestZen products. The essential oils are combined with calcium carbonate to create a chewable tablet that can be taken to help support healthy digestion. They also have the same benefits as the DigestZen Softgels the tabs are just in a chewable tablet form. Which make it an easy, convenient way to take them on the go without the need for water.
These are great to chew on when you experience that burning sensation after eating. However, since the tabs contain DigestZen Oil they will taste like black licorice.
9. MetaPWR Advantage Collagen
MetaPWR Advantage Collagen combines the power of marine collagen, NMN, and 10 other synergistic ingredients to target cellular integrity and health-span.
This product can replace vital collagen your tissues need and support natural production of NAD+ in your body, helping you slow the signs of aging inside and out. The 12 synergistic ingredients in MetaPWR Advantage give your cells what they need to support cellular integrity.
MetaPWR Advantage is 12 times more bioavailable than other collagen products. When a supplement or nutrient is easily absorbed and used by your body, it’s considered bioavailable. The number of grams you read on the label isn’t what determines how much collagen your cells will receive after taking it. Bioavailability factors in.
MetaPWR Advantage features those types of collagens, but it also includes seven other unique collagen peptide types. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, and there are 28 known types. Supplementing with a wide range of diverse collagen types helps promote joint mobility, tissue strength, and skin elasticity.
MetaPWR Advantage is delivered to you in hydrolyzed powder format for a more active and bioavailable delivery system at the time of taking it. Simply mix it with water immediately before you drink it. When you mix MetaPWR Advantage with cool or room temperature water, you’re consuming it as a liquid, meaning your body can easily absorb the stable, non-degraded nutrients without the sugar content that accompanies a prepackaged juice format or the value loss that occurs during pasteurization.
Exercise and Relaxation Techniques to Support Digestive Health
In addition to a healthy diet, regular exercise and relaxation techniques can also support digestive health.
Exercise: Exercise can help stimulate bowel movements, reduce constipation, and promote healthy digestion. Any form of physical activity that raises your heart rate, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming, can be beneficial for digestive health.
Yoga: Yoga has been shown to help promote healthy digestion by reducing stress and anxiety, improving circulation, and stimulating the digestive system. Certain poses, such as twists, can help massage the internal organs and improve digestion.
Deep Breathing: Deep breathing exercises, such as diaphragmatic breathing or belly breathing, can help reduce stress and anxiety, which can have a positive impact on digestive health. Deep breathing can also help stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for promoting rest and relaxation.
Meditation: Meditation can help reduce stress and anxiety, which can have a positive impact on digestive health. Meditation can also help stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system and promote a sense of calm and relaxation.
Mindful Eating: Mindful eating involves paying attention to the food you eat, being present in the moment, and savoring the experience. Mindful eating can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve digestion, and promote healthy eating habits.
Your digestive system is an important part of your overall health and wellbeing. When your digestive system is not functioning optimally, it can throw your whole system off balance. Using doTERRA’s essential oils and products can help provide relief and support digestive health. Additionally, making changes to your diet, incorporating gut healing foods and relaxation techniques, and trying some natural remedies can all help improve digestion. If you’re looking for an all-natural solution to support better digestion and digestive health, then doTERRA’s products are a great option.
Stress Buster, Morning Bliss, and Immune Support are three things I can use more off as a busy mom. Luckily, I have a specific roller bottle for each of those things and I can easily apply them as I am driving my daughter to school each morning. If you want to make your own roller bottle blends with those recipes plus 12 other recipes, grab my free eBook below.
Other Articles You May Enjoy