Digestive complaints are one of the most common reasons clients end up in my office. Even if it isn’t what they think they are coming in to see me, their signs and symptoms usually tell me that their gut requires some attention.
There are a few go-to suggestions I make to almost every client, like chewing each bite at least thirty times while practicing mindful eating. You can find my top five tips to improve digestion right away here.
Another easy way to support your digestion is by drinking CCF tea, one of my favorite Ayurvedic teas.
CCF stands for cumin, coriander, and fennel, three incredibly powerful and easy to find spices.
You’ve probably had cumin many times before, especially if you enjoy Indian or Ethiopian foods.
According to Ayurveda, cumin has many benefits, including 1:
- Stimulates Agni (digestive fire)
- Decreases gas
- Helps with indigestion
- Flushes out ama (toxic waste)
- Relieves congestion
- It contains antioxidants and iron
- Soothes inflamed mucous membranes
- Improves elimination
One of my favorite books, “Healing Spices,” says that this delicious spice may be beneficial for cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, food poising, osteoporosis, and tuberculosis.
Coriander is another staple in Indian cooking. According to Ayurveda, coriander benefits include 1:
- Improves digestion
- Relieves gas
- Helps with many pitta disorders, especially urinary or digestive
- Increases digestion and absorption
- Treats intestinal disorders
- Aids indigestion
- Calms muscle spasms
- Reduces inflammation—even shown to help with rheumatoid arthritis
“Healing Spices” suggests that coriander may be helpful for bloating, cholesterol problems, colon cancer, constipation, diarrhea, eczema, Flatulence, hypertension, indigestion, IBS, stomachache, and vaginal yeast infections.
According to Ayurveda, fennel benefits include 1:
- One of the best herbs for strengthening Agni without aggravating pitta
- Stops cramping
- Increases mental alertness
- Promotes breast milk flow
- Helps with IBS
- Relaxes the digestive tract
- Alleviates gas and indigestion
- Increases the burning of fat
- Moves lymph
“Healing Spices” recommends fennel for Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, cancer, colitis, dementia, glaucoma, heart disease, hypertension, menstrual cramps, and strokes.
You’ll want to grind the seeds before making the tea. Ideally, buy the whole seeds and grind them before making the tea. If that would hold you back from making the tea, you can buy the ground. Banyan Botanicals even has some pre-mixed options for you. You can find options here, including their Joyful Heart version with hibiscus and rose.
CCF Tea Directions
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon coriander seeds
- ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
- 4–5 cups water
- Heat the water over high heat.
- Grind and add the seeds.
- Allow the tea to boil for 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the preferred strength.
- Strain out the seeds.
- Place the tea in an insulated thermos, and sip throughout the day.
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