We have all experienced indigestion at some stage in our lives; however some people suffer from indigestion on a daily basis which can be painful and quite alarming for them when the pain will not subside. People who suffer from severe indigestion will often complain of abdominal discomfort, nausea, bloating and belching after eating.

Indigestion can be due to a range of reasons however the most common causes of indigestion include overeating during the meal and rushing the down the food without chewing properly. Some particular foods which are more likely to cause indigestion include foods which are high in fat and foods which contain large amounts of spices. Emotional factors can also have a great impact on indigestion as stress, anxiety and nervousness can decrease the body’s ability to digest food. Some people who suffer from particular diseases are at a greater risk of suffering from indigestion, including people who have inflammation of the gallbladder, pancreas and people who suffer from gastric ulcers.

There are some changes in your lifestyle which may reduce the indigestion before you need to resort to other alternatives which includes;

• Reducing the size of the serving that you are eating,eat less at each meal and eat smaller meals more often throughout the day.
• Chew you food properly, the more your mouth can break down the food the less work the stomach will have to do when it gets there.
• Eat in a relaxing environment, allocate half an hour where you can sit down quietly eat your food in peace and without being in a hurry.
• Avoid foods which are high in fat and spices.
• Try and reduce the consumption of alcohol and tobacco as these can make the indigestion worse.

If your indigestion has not subsided through some lifestyle changes some natural products which may help to give you some relief include Peppermint, Digestive enzymes, Aloe Vera, Artemisia and the mineral Potassium Chloride.

Recipe Sourced from Sandra Cabot, Liver Cleansing Diet 1996.

(Makes approximately 40)

Ingredients:

• 250g preserved vine leaves rinsed in hot water juice of 1/2 lemon
• 2 tablespoons cold-pressed virgin olive oil

Filling:

• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 2 tablespoons currants, washed
• freshly ground black pepper

Method:

1. Lay the vine leaves flat on a work bench shiny side down.
2. Set aside any torn leaves.
3. To make filling, wash well and drain. Heat oil and fry onion until soft. Add pine nuts and fry until golden.
4. Take off heat and add rice and remaining ingredients. As the vine leaves are salty no added salt is necessary.
5. Put a spoonful of filling onto each vine leaf and roll up.
6. Line the base of a saucepan with damaged leaves.
7. Place stuffed leaf parcels on top, close together and seam side down. Cover with an inverted plate.
8. Pour over lemon juice, olive oil and enough water to just cover the plate.
9. Cover pan, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 40 minutes.
10. Remove and check that rice is tender. Cool in the liquid.
11. Can be served warm or chilled.