The joy of Diwali brings not only lights and celebrations but also an array of indulgent dishes and sweets that are hard to resist. For many, the days following the festival can leave the stomach feeling heavy, with bloating, acidity, or sluggish digestion often setting in. It's no wonder that, after such rich and plentiful eating, we crave something to soothe and rebalance.
Traditional Indian kitchens are well-stocked with spices and herbs that help to improve digestive health. Ajwain, fennel, cumin, and ginger are used to make easily prepared home remedies that instantly provide relief and help your digestive system get back on track. Warm teas as well as refreshing herbal infusions make up these comfortable drinks, meant to provide natural ease to the stomach.
Here's a guide to making some easy and effective digestive drinks for the comfort of the stomach.
Ajwain Water
Ajwain or carom seed, have been a staple of Indian kitchens for years; they possess carminative properties, which reduce the gas and bloating one feels. To make ajwain water, a teaspoon of ajwain seeds must be boiled in a cup of water for around 5–7 minutes. Strain and let it cool a bit before sipping on slowly. The drink will cut the acidity while making for easy digestion as stomach muscles unwind, so great after that rich meal.
Jeera Water
Jeera water is another digestive remedy that everyone uses quite effortlessly and safely. Cumin seeds increase the secretion of digestive enzymes, thereby hastening the digestion process as well as reducing bloating. Take one teaspoonful of cumin seeds and boil them in a glass of water for 10 minutes or so. Drink the prepared jeera water after each Diwali meal, and it is sure to bring relief, helping with digestion overall.
Saunf Tea
Fennel seeds are also known to cool the stomach, especially after meal. This digestive and cooling seed of fennel is easily made into a fennel tea by adding one teaspoon of crushed fennel seeds into hot water. Let it steep for 5-10 minutes, then strain it for drinking. Fennel tea is really soothing as an antidote for gas and bloating and a gentle drink for overindulgence over festivities.
Ginger-Lemon Tea
Ginger is an antibiotic and a well-known remedy for digestive troubles; adding lemon adds the punch of vitamin C which is also helpful in maintaining balance with stomach acids. Mix several slices of fresh ginger to a cup of boiling water, let it steep a few minutes, and pour off the liquid with no heat added; dash some lemon juice and serve. This drink relieves nausea and indigestion, providing a quick consolation to a stressed digestive system.
Mint Infusion
Mint leaves have a cooling effect and can sometimes help with indigestion and spasms in the stomach. A simple preparation of mint infusion is taken by placing a handful of fresh mint leaves in a cup of hot water; it is left to stand for 5–7 minutes and then strained before drinking. This is cooling and gentle on the stomach, a great balancer of the system after those overindulgent meals.
Amla Juice
Amla is commonly known as Indian gooseberry. It is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, good for indigestion, and reduces acidity. Juice fresh amla with water and strain after adding a pinch of black salt for the flavour. This juice is also highly effective in cleansing the digestive tract and soothing the stomach; therefore, it's ideal after all those festive indulgences.