Herbs for Acidity

Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) is a large tree native to the eastern U.S. and Canada. The medicinal part is the inner bark, prized for its high mucilage content. When soaked in water, it turns “slippery,” coating and soothing inflamed tissues in the mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines.

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) is a perennial reaching about 5 ft (1.5 m), with toothed leaves and sweetly scented clusters of creamy-white flowers. Known historically as a strewing herb, meadowsweet contains salicylates akin to aspirin, which reduce pain and inflammation without causing the gastric side effects commonly attributed to aspirin.

Lemon (Citrus limon) is a small, evergreen tree with light-green, toothed leaves, fragrant white blossoms, and bright yellow fruit. Its high vitamin C content supports immune function, while lemon juice has an alkalizing effect in the body despite its acidity. Lemon is commonly used for colds, flu, and circulatory support, as well as for improving the flavor in countless foods and beverages.

Irish moss is a reddish-brown seaweed growing to 10 inches, with a flat, forked plant body and fan-shaped outline. Found on the Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America, it grows just below the waterline, attached to rocks and stones. In summer in North America and in autumn in Ireland, it is pulled up by hand or with a rake at low tide and dried in the sun. This seaweed is used extensively in the food and pharmaceutical industries as an emulsifying and binding agent, appearing in products such as toothpastes. Its polysaccharides become jelly-like and demulcent when immersed in water, making it valuable both as a food ingredient and medicinal herb.

Psyllium, also known as flea seed due to its small brown appearance, is produced by several Plantago species. It has been used as a safe and effective laxative for thousands of years across Europe, North Africa, and Asia. The seeds and husks have a bland taste and develop a jellylike consistency when moistened due to their high mucilage content. The plants are extensively cultivated, especially in India, and propagated from seed in spring. Seeds are harvested when ripe in late summer and early autumn.