By Maura Keller
Traditionally, spring is the time to clean our homes. We go through our closets and cabinets, getting rid of the old to make room for the new. While our digestive tracts don’t quite work exactly like that, spring is also a great time to support our body’s elimination process.
Fibers and supplements like psyllium, flax seeds or Triphala support a healthy GI tract by keeping you regular. Consuming fermented foods high in prebiotics and probiotics like kombucha, kimchi and kefir replenish healthy bacteria that is necessary for overall gut health. Bitter plants like dandelion are also extremely beneficial. Dandelion is a powerhouse that supports our liver, gall bladder and kidneys so we can process toxins. The plant’s bitter flavor helps increase our digestive enzymes, allowing better nutrient absorption.
Whatever your age, the staff at Community Pharmacy and Community Wellness Shop are happy to help you navigate the options best suited for your body’s own “spring cleaning.”
Local Love
Based outside of Baraboo, Four Elements is a certified organic farm owned by Jane Hawley Stevens that makes high-quality products from plants she grows herself. Community Pharmacy loves her whole Dandelion Tincture. The staff also often recommends Himalaya’s Organic Triphala caplets. They are non-GMO and gluten free.
