Indigestion can be a real bugbear and get in the way of our day-to-day life. Using essential oils targeted directly at the symptoms of indigestion can often bring swift relief. Cardamom is a widely used spice for heartburn, and herbs like Fennel are great for dispelling gas. Peppermint is used worldwide as an herbal extract and essential oil for indigestion relief. Harness the power of these great plants to target your indigestion. Join us to make blends for massage oils, rollerballs, and diffusers with essential oils for indigestion.
What is Indigestion?
Indigestion, or Dyspepsia, is a prevalent condition, and most of us will suffer from it at one time or another. It is generally not a severe condition and is one that it is recommended you treat yourself.
Often, we get indigestion after eating or drunk something, which can manifest in different ways for different people. The most common symptoms are:
- Heartburn – which can be a painful burning feeling in the chest, often appearing after eating
- A sense of being full and bloated
- Feeling sick or nauseous
- Burping and farting
- Regurgitation - is bringing food or bitter-tasting fluids (bile) into your mouth.
It is essential to know when it might not be indigestion, so if you have a stomach ache or back pain, they are not symptoms of indigestion. If you have those symptoms, too, you might be constipated. If in doubt, always check with a medical professional.
The Benefits of Using Essential Oils For Indigestion
Many people prefer to turn to more natural indigestion symptom relief these days. Essential oils offer us more natural alternatives to control and relieve some symptoms of indigestion rather than relying on pharmaceutical or chemical options.
Mild indigestion symptoms naturally may be different from one person to the next. Each person is unique and experiences their symptoms in different ways.
Essential oils allow you to target indigestion symptoms and develop essential oil blends tailored to your needs.
For instance, Peppermint is widely recommended for digestive upsets worldwide, but I find the commercial peppermint capsules too harsh. My system cannot cope with their strength. However, I am well versed in using peppermint essential oil to reduce the symptoms of my indigestion in other ways, such as using it as a lotion and inhaling it using an aroma pendant and diffuser blends.
The Best Essential Oils For Indigestion
Peppermint (Mentha Piperita)
Peppermint has been used for centuries for digestive upsets and calming our entire digestive system, especially in Ayurvedic medicine.
It is the most researched essential oil used in the relief of indigestion symptoms and appears in proprietary and over-the-counter medicines everywhere.
Chumpitazi (2018) concluded that "controlled studies support its use in irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia."
As a fresh or dried herb, it makes a beautiful cup of tea to relieve indigestion. Here in the UK, we often eat mint sauce with Lamb to cut through the fattier meat's richness and aid digestion.
Generally, it is a good choice for anything sticky or sluggish in the body, so you can soon wave goodbye to constipation, heartburn, and indigestion.
It also stimulates bile and acts as an excellent tonic for the liver.
However, there is a cautionary tale. (And why I cannot take Peppermint capsules).
If you have Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), carefully place that peppermint oil back into the cabinet and step away. It would be akin to throwing petrol onto a bonfire. Somewhat explosive.
Peppermint relaxes the gastrointestinal tract, which is excellent for most of us, but for those with GERD, it loosens the valve that keeps digestive acid in the stomach. Acid can then bounce into the chest cavity, painfully burning your insides. Severe belching and reflux move in. To which I can personally attest.
If you have GERD, always choose chamomiles over Peppermint.
Safety:
- Not suitable for use in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy
- Avoid use on children under 6 years of age since one of its primary constituents; menthol slows respiration.
Spearmint (Mentha Spicata)
Spearmint is closely related to Peppermint and has also been the subject of plenty of research Mahboubi (2021) found that Spearmint's "properties such as digestive, analgesic and antispasmodic effects synergistically act and reduce the flatulence severity in the stomach." Making it a perfect pairing for those experiencing indigestion and flatulence symptoms.
Safety:
- Since Spearmint is high in carvone, the maximum dilution of this oil is 1.4%
- Not suitable for use in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Ginger (Zingiber Officinale)
Ginger is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine to settle the digestive tract, relieve excess gas and flatulence, and settle the symptoms of indigestion and nausea.
The essential oil is indicated for indigestion, flatulence, and excess gas. According to Kurt Schnaubelt, ginger essential oil stimulates the liver to make more bile.
That in itself will help improve your digestion.
Safety: Do not use it in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Fennel (Foeniculum Vulgare)
Portincasa (2016) ran a trial mixing Curcumin and Fennel essential oil and found it to have "significantly improved symptoms and quality of life in IBS patients over 30 days".
The study reported chemical constituents in Fennel essential oil to have antispasmodic (reduces spasms) and carminative (reduces flatulence) effects.
So, an ideal choice for reducing some of the symptoms associated with disturbed digestion and the more gassy types of indigestion by assisting in releasing trapped gas.
Safety:
- Please do not use it in pregnancy at all.
- Please do not use it on children under 5 years of age.
Cardamom (Elettaria Cardamomum)
Cardamom seeds in the Middle East go further than human memory and are widely used across the Eastern world. We are catching up here in the West, discovering their warming, soothing action helps to reduce heartburn, indigestion, and flatulence.
Culturally, they are also used to relieve the effects of bloating.
Traditionally the spices would have been used in food or often, in the case of cardamom, stirred into warming drinks like delicious Chai.
Cardamom essential oil is soothing yet invigorating and helps stimulate sluggish appetite or slow digestion.
Safety: Do not use it in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
How To Use Essential Oils For Indigestion
Massage Oil and Lotions
For those of you who tend to get pain with your indigestion, massage oil or lotions laced with all those beautifully soothing essential oils can offer welcome relief.
Sometimes, working a massage oil or a lotion into the skin clockwise (your digestion moves clockwise through your body) can feel as soothing as when the essential oils kick in.
For anyone with indigestion associated with a hiatus hernia, make this your go-to method and get someone to rub it into your back, shoulders, and along your sternum.
Aroma Pendant
People often overlook the inhalation method, but it is one of the most effective ways to get the properties of essential oils to work. Liz covers Exciting New Discoveries Around The Benefits Of Inhaling Essential Oils in her article, so pop on over and explore this very effective branch of Aromatherapy.
Inhaling essential oil gets its tiny molecules into your system quickly, and your body responds rapidly. In some instances, relief can be much swifter with inhaling essential oils. For example, if you inhale Sweet Orange, it is a widely used mood uplifter that can instantly make you feel better.
Aroma Pendants are usually cage-like pendants with a removable felt pad upon which you put a few drops of essential oils. You can then wear this and take it wherever you go, to work, in meetings, traveling, or even around the house.
They are the perfect solution for when you are on the move and haven't the time to let indigestion win.
Rollerball
Rollerballs are an excellent solution for when you are on the move. Applying a diluted blend of essential oils onto your pulse points is one way to get the essential oils to work fast. Your blood vessels are very close to the surface of your skin at your pulse points and can absorb the essential oils more rapidly.
They are straightforward to put together, you need a roller ball dispenser, your essential oil blend, and a carrier oil, and that's it. Pop it in your purse or pocket, and you're ready.
As weird as it sounds, it works more effectively for me by putting it on the pulse points at my temples. Try it out for yourself and find out where your most effective pulse points are.
Diffuser
If you are anything like me, you KNOW what foods and situations will likely set your indigestion off. At home, I will set essential oil blends going in a diffuser about an hour BEFORE eating.
For instance, I LOVE Spaghetti Bolognaise, but recently it does not seem to like me and will set off my indigestion, even with a whole heap of ginger dolloped in for good measure. Setting a diffuser before I ate reduced the chances of setting my indigestion off.
This is by no means a widely used recommendation; it is something I tried once that seemed to work, and I keep using it whenever Spag Bol is on the menu.
I was out this weekend and knew cream would be served; this is another potential trigger. Taking my essential oil diffuser was inappropriate, so I whipped my aroma pendant out instead and can report…all went well.
Experimentation
These are by no means the only ways that you can use essential oils for indigestion, or the only essential oils. We are different, so try various strategies and see what works for you.
If your indigestion always happens late at night and you're having a shower or a bath before bed, pop your essential oil blend in the bath or shower gel.
Think about your symptoms and develop strategies and products tailored to suit you. That is the beauty of working with essential oils; you can personalize it all to suit your needs.
Our Favorite Recipes with Essential Oils For Indigestion
Here are some of our favorite recipes to use when you suffer from indigestion and its many symptoms.
Massage Oil & Rollerball Blends
| Massage Oil & Rollerball Blends | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two great blends, one to target heartburn and one to target the more gaseous symptoms we sometimes experience with indigestion. Make two different sizes, a massage oil and a convenient rollerball. | |||||||||
You will need:
|
How to: Combine the carrier oils and essential oils until thoroughly mixed, decant using a funnel into the chosen receptacle. Label with all ingredients and date for safety reasons. |
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| Heartburn Hero | |||||||||
|
Safety: Not suitable for use in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. Spearmint Specific - Avoid use on children under 6 years of age since one of its primary constituents; menthol, slows respiration. |
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| Size | Carrier Oil |
Essential Oils 3% dilution rate |
|||||||
| – | Sweet Almond Carrier Oil |
Cardamom Essential Oil (Elettaria cardamomum) |
Ginger Essential Oil (Zingiber officinale) |
Spearmint Essential Oil (Mentha spicata) |
|||||
| 20 ml Rollerball | 19ml | 4 drops | 4 drops | 4 drops | |||||
| 100ml Massage Oil | 95ml | 20 drops | 20 drops | 20 drops | |||||
| Gas Buster | |||||||||
|
Safety: Fennel specific -
|
|||||||||
| Size | Carrier oil |
Essential Oils 3% dilution rate |
|||||||
| – | Sweet Almond Carrier Oil |
Fennel Essential Oil (Foeniculum vulgare) |
Ginger Essential Oil (Zingiber officinale) |
Peppermint Essential Oil (Mentha piperita) |
|||||
| 20 ml Rollerball | 19ml | 3 drops | 5 drops | 4 drops | |||||
| 100ml Massage Oil | 95ml | 15 drops | 25 drops | 20 drops | |||||
| How to Use |
Massage Oil
|
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Aroma Pendant & Diffuser Blends
These blends don’t always need diluted; many diffusers and aroma pendants use pure essential oil blends. It is worth considering diluting your aroma pendant blends in case it leaks directly onto your skin. Essentially, it is up to you.
| Aroma Pendant & Diffuser Blends | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
You will need:
|
How to: Combine the carrier oils and essential oils until thoroughly mixed, decant using a funnel into the chosen receptacle. Label with all ingredients and date for safety reasons. |
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| On the Go Indigestion Relief | |||||||||
|
Safety: Not to be applied topically. Peppermint Specific - Avoid use around children under 6 years of age since one of its primary constituents; menthol, slows respiration. |
|||||||||
| Size | Carrier oil | Essential Oils | |||||||
| – | Sweet Almond Carrier Oil |
Cardamom Essential Oil (Elettaria cardamomum) |
Ginger Essential Oil (Zingiber officinale) |
Peppermint Essential Oil (Mentha piperita) |
|||||
| 20 ml Diluted Blend | 10ml |
3ml or 60 drops |
4ml or 80 drops |
3ml or 60 drops |
|||||
| 10ml Pure Essential Oil Blend | None |
3ml or 60 drops |
4ml or 80 drops |
3ml or 60 drops |
|||||
| How to Use |
Aroma pendant - Add a few drops to your aroma pendant and wear it for one hour, then give yourself a break for at least 30 mins before wearing it again. Have a break for 30 mins after every hour. Diffuser - Follow your individual manufacturers guidelines. Use for one hour BEFORE your meal, turn off during your meal and then turn it back on for one hour. |
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| Digestive Diffuser | |||||||||
| Safety: Not to be applied topically. | |||||||||
| Size | Carrier oil | Essential Oils | |||||||
| – | Sweet Almond Carrier Oil |
Cardamom Essential Oil (Elettaria cardamomum) |
Ginger Essential Oil (Zingiber officinale) |
Fennel Essential Oil (Foeniculum vulgare) |
|||||
| 20 ml Diluted Blend | 10ml |
4ml or 80 drops |
4ml or 80 drops |
2ml or 20 drops |
|||||
| 10ml Pure Essential Oil Blend | None |
4ml or 80 drops |
4ml or 80 drops |
2ml or 20 drops |
|||||
| How to Use |
Aroma pendant - Add a few drops to your aroma pendant and wear it for one hour, then give yourself a break for at least 30 mins before wearing it again. Have a break for 30 mins after every hour. Diffuser - Follow your individual manufacturers guidelines. Use for one hour BEFORE your meal, turn off during your meal and then turn it back on for one hour. |
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The Final Word
Indigestion can be a nuisance, but with all these ideas and fabulous essential oils, you don’t have to let it slow you down or get in your way.
Essential oils can be swift, soothing relievers for various symptoms associated with indigestion, but so can the herbs and plants they are derived from. Adding ginger to food can help with digestion, as can Cardamom, so don’t overlook adding these to your diet. Peppermint tea is an easy one to try out for yourself.
Focus on which symptoms of indigestion are causing you the most issues, and pick essential oils with active properties that will target those symptoms—got heartburn? Try Cardamom. Got Gas? Try Fennel or Ginger. Just got indigestion? Try Peppermint. Give it a go, and you will find your perfect essential oils for indigestion.
