Sick to Your Stomach
Few of us know life without stomach pain. Though it can take many forms and be triggered by countless factors, a lot of our go to remedies typically rely on the same herbs. Carminatives like cinnamon, ginger, black pepper and mint are always useful but I wanted to share the tailored insight and prescriptions from Տանու Բճիշկ (Home Doctor) written by Garabed Kochariants (1863). I have also included a few additional plants that can be incorporated into your supply kit from Անգիտաց անպետ (Useless for the ignorant) written by Amirdovlat of Amasia (1492) and a folk Armenian medicine text.
Our ancestors were quick to reach for enemas which I have left out today … otherwise, their wisdom is as follows:
In the case of acid reflux that can arise alongside inappetence, nausea, chills and craving sour foods…
⌯ They suggested emetic medicines that would primarily induce vomiting.
⚕︎Emetic 1: Mix 3 parts wheatgrass powder with 1 part water and drink 2 teaspoons every half hour.
⚕︎Emetic 2: Mix 1 tbsp of olive oil or flaxseed oil with ½ tbsp of ground salt and ⅓ cup of hot water, drink first thing in the morning.
⚕︎Emetic 3: Mix 1 tsp gold powder (if you have extra laying around) with 6 tbsp of hot water and drink on an empty stomach.
⍆One must follow either of these emetics with a mint infusion. Prepare this by adding 5 cups of hot water to a handful of mint and cover with a towel. Once cooled, add honey and 1 tsp of rum.
In the case of diarrhea that may present with vomiting, and cold sweats in the context of food poisoning….
⌯ Remedies:
⚕︎Remedy 1: Chicken broth is recommended, but if the sufferer is becoming very weak, barley porridge should be consumed as well. This can be prepared with 3 handfuls of barley flour and enough hot water to create your preferred consistency. Add butter or olive oil before eating.
⚚ Boost these remedies by mixing a handful of dry mint with vinegar and massage this onto the middle of your abdomen.
⚕︎Remedy 2: To regain strength, prepare 2 tbsp of ground chicory root with 2 tsp of mugwort with ½ cup of wine or hot water. They recommended letting this sit in wine for 3 days but with hot water you can just strain this after 20 minutes. Drink 2 tbsp 4 times a day.
▸In the case of diarrhea that presents without stomach pain or cold sweats…
They noted that if the sufferer experiences this with nausea and a bitter taste in their mouth that diarrhea can actually help. It was believed that some illnesses were due to the bile being disrupted and it had to be removed to relieve more fearful pains and strengthen the stomach. Therefore it is not always necessary to use medicine but instead just be cautious consuming greasy foods - most of all meat, hard boiled eggs and other foods that are hard to digest.
However, if this has been ongoing for a few days, they recommend…
⚕︎Remedy 1: Mix 1 tsp rhubarb powder with ½ cup of cold water and drink on an empty stomach.
⚕︎Remedy 2: Mix 3 tbsp of olive oil with 2 tsp of honey and drink on an empty stomach.
⚕︎Remedy 3: Mix 1 cup of apple juice with 2 tbsp of salt and 2 tsp of honey, drink on an empty stomach.
Other herbs that Amirdovlat and Folk Armenian resources venerated for digestive benefits…
☙ Parsley
☙ Sweet Clover
☙ Lemon Balm
☙ Violet
☙ Chamomile and Sage
☙ Nutmeg **
☙ Black peppercorn *
☙ Wanuts (or a walnut tincture)
With dried herbs, mix 2-3 tbsp with 1 cup of hot water, let it steep and then consume.
* Nutmeg and black peppercorn can be treated the same way and are especially beneficial for bloating. ** Stick to 1/2 tsp for Nutmeg, more can cause hallucinations.
