If you try hard all year to eat well, go easy on the alcohol and get some exercise, do you really want to blow it over Christmas? Well no, but on the other hand you want to enjoy a bit of overindulgence, with everyone else. So what can you do?

The answer is to look after your digestive system and your liver. The Christmas dinner, followed by pud, cake and more chocolate than you normally eat in a month put a big strain on your digestion and subsequently on your waistline. The alcohol makes your liver work overtime, and if you drink too much too quickly the liver is overwhelmed, allowing toxins to affect the brain, as well as adding calories.

All is not lost:

•  Before you eat or drink, take bitter herbs. Historically many people have taken an aperitif before their meal. This would be a combination of bitter herbs, sometimes in alcohol, the purpose of which was to wake up the digestive system. Bitters act in the mouth to stimulate saliva secretion, which in turn stimulates the stomach, intestines, pancreas and liver, so all digestive organs are ready and waiting to process food. Digestion is then more efficient, nutrients are metabolised better and waste products eliminated effectively. A simple detox, which could reduce cholesterol, bloating and help prevent piling on extra pounds. There is a variety of bitter herbs available; the more popular are milk thistle, dandelion root and globe artichoke. If you take one of these in liquid form, just a few drops on your tongue is enough to stimulate bitter taste buds in the mouth.
  
• Chew every delicious mouthful as if it was your last. Chewing improves the effectiveness of your digestion, slowing down food transit from the mouth and allowing time for your brain to receive the message that you are full. So you are less likely to over eat.
• If there is a boozy night ahead, take more of the bitter herbs, up to 5ml. In larger quantities bitters stimulate your liver to process and eliminate the alcohol more effectively. Bitters can also have a protective role, helping your liver recover from over indulgence. The more obvious benefit in the short term is that you are less likely to feel rough the following morning. Symptoms such as head ache, nausea and upset stomach should be less.

Bitter herbs in liquid form are not always available to buy ‘over the counter’, however at Vitality Plus we have qualified Medical Herbalists who can advise and safely supply bitter herbs.

Enjoy the parties, the glitter and bright lights, the party nibbles and the big meals, the wine and the liqueur. Slowly savour every mouthful today and you can still indulge tomorrow.

Merry Christmas, Be Happy, Be Healthy and Be Safe, from Tim, Tracey, Ann, Renata and all our Family of Therapists at Vitality Plus

Tel: 01706 330080

www.theherbalpractice.co.uk

   we always have a qualified practitioner on the premises, so you are welcome to pop in for a chat; you will be under no obligation to buy.

Vitality + Natural Health Clinic and Modern Apothecary, 41 Bolton Street, Ramsbottom BL0 9HU. We are open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm. Our clinic is open for appointments from 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm Saturday.