Feel Like You’re Inflating as the Day Goes On? Let’s look at what causes bloating, and some ways to get bloating relief.

Bloating. It’s common, uncomfortable, and downright frustrating. You might start the day feeling fine, but by late afternoon, you’re bursting out of your jeans and wondering what on earth went wrong.

The good news? Bloating relief is absolutely possible—and in many cases, it just takes a few smart tweaks to your diet, lifestyle and gut care routine.

(P.S. If your bloating is relentless no matter what you try, always check in with your GP to rule out anything more serious.)

What Causes Bloating in the First Place?

That ballooned belly feeling usually boils down to one or more of these common culprits:

• Poor carb breakdown – If you’re low on the enzymes needed to digest certain carbs (think garlic, onions, lentils, etc.), they ferment and cause gas. The low FODMAP diet can help temporarily, but the long-term fix is improving digestion, not restricting forever.

• Protein digestion problems – Not breaking down protein properly? That can leave you feeling puffy and heavy after meals.

• Unbalanced gut bacteria – When non-beneficial microbes outnumber the good guys, it often leads to bloating and nutrient malabsorption. Some strains of bacteria (and yeast like Candida) are infamous for causing havoc. A gut test can tell you exactly what’s going on.

• Food intolerances – Gluten, dairy, or other foods might be secretly stirring up trouble. The easiest way to test? Take them out for a week or two and monitor how you feel.

If you’re worried about your gut health, I’d highly recommend downloading my online course The Ultimate Gut Health Programme to help support your digestive system, whilst avoiding triggering symptoms.

It’d be impossible to include all you need to know in one blog, but the programme will have all you need to know to ensure you’re soothing your digestive system, whilst eating delicious and filling foods.

• Dehydration – Surprising, but true: not drinking enough water can worsen bloating, especially if you’ve had a salty meal or a few glasses of wine.

• SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) – This is when gut bacteria migrate into the wrong area (your small intestine). It’s a big bloating trigger and needs a specific protocol to fix.

🌱 Probiotics (But Be Careful!)

Probiotic foods and supplements can help rebalance your gut, but if you suspect SIBO, hold off—they can make things worse. Always test first if your symptoms are intense or long-standing.

☕️ Herbal Helpers

Chamomile tea is my go-to for bloating—it’s calming, soothing, and supports digestion beautifully. Ginger, peppermint, fennel, and even a handful of fresh herbs like parsley, rosemary, and oregano can all ease a gassy gut. Sip them, cook with them, sprinkle liberally.

Ready to Get to the Bottom of Your Bloat?

You don’t have to live with bloating. These tips are a great starting point—but if you’re still struggling, I’d love to help you figure out what’s really going on in your gut.

And if your digestion is really playing up and you need a bit more help, I’d love to invite you to a FREE 30-minute Gut Healing Breakthrough Call. It’s a friendly, no-pressure chat where we can explore what’s going on and what might help.  Use the link below to book.

If your digestion has been feeling a bit off—whether it’s bloating, nausea, or general tummy discomfort—you might be surprised at how powerful your kitchen cupboard can be. Herbs and spices for gut health have been used for centuries, and there’s good reason why. From soothing an irritated gut lining to supporting the digestion of tricky meals, these culinary staples do more than just flavour your food.

There are literally hundreds of herbs and spices that can support healthy digestion, but today I’m highlighting a few easy-to-use favourites that pack a punch when it comes to gut health.

Why Use Herbs and Spice for Gut Health?

Some herbs stimulate the production of bile—a substance made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder that helps your body break down fatty foods. Others work to soothe and repair the gut wall, reduce inflammation, or ease gas and bloating. Many have antimicrobial properties too, helping you tackle unfriendly gut bacteria without disrupting the delicate balance of your microbiome.

And as a bonus? They taste amazing and are easy to include in teas, soups, or everyday meals.

Here are four of my go-to herbs and spices for digestion:

If you’re worried about your gut health, I’d highly recommend downloading my online course The Ultimate Gut Health Programme to help support your digestive system, whilst avoiding triggering symptoms.

It’d be impossible to include all you need to know in one blog, but the programme will have all you need to know to ensure you’re soothing your digestive system, whilst eating delicious and filling foods.

Fennel

In many Asian cultures, fennel seeds are chewed after meals to support digestion—and with good reason. Whether in tea form or chopped up in a soup, fennel is a wonderful herb for relieving bloating and calming an upset stomach.

Studies show fennel has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. It may help reduce gas, ease cramps, and rebalance your gut flora—all useful if your tummy’s feeling off.

Ginger

A well-loved remedy for nausea, ginger is known to help with everything from morning sickness to travel queasiness. It’s also great for bloating and sluggish digestion.

Fresh ginger makes a warming tea when steeped in hot water, or you can toss it into curries, soups, or stir-fries. You can also use dried ginger or ready-made ginger teas—it all counts when it comes to using herbs and spice for gut health.

Why These Herbs and Spices Work

You might notice a theme here: many herbs and spices traditionally served with gas-producing foods (think beans, lentils, rich meats) aren’t just there for flavour—they help your gut process these foods more efficiently. That’s the beauty of time-tested food wisdom.

Here’s a simple recipe to try: a warming lentil dhal made with ginger, cumin, and turmeric—perfect for supporting your gut while giving your tastebuds a treat.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to soothing everyday digestive issues, herbs and spices for gut health are simple, natural allies. Whether you enjoy them in teas or blend them into your meals, they offer gentle but effective support for your digestive system.

And if your digestion is really playing up and you need a bit more help, I’d love to invite you to a FREE 30-minute Gut Healing Breakthrough Call. It’s a friendly, no-pressure chat where we can explore what’s going on and what might help.

Gut cleanse trends are everywhere at the moment —teas, powders, smoothies, detox kits… you name it. But do you really need a fancy product to flush out your system? Not so fast! Let’s clear up the confusion and talk about what your body’s already doing (and how to give it a proper nudge in the right direction—no gimmicks needed).

Here’s the truth: your body is already cleansing and detoxing every single day. Your liver, kidneys, lungs, gut, and even your skin are hard at work filtering out toxins, flushing waste, and keeping things running smoothly. It’s a 24/7, behind-the-scenes health show.

So Why All the Hype?

Buzzwords like “detox” and “gut cleanse” can make it sound like you need a magic potion to feel better. But in reality, your body just needs the right support—not a £50 cleanse in a pretty packet.

Here’s How Your Body Naturally Detoxes:

• Sweat pushes out waste through your skin

• Kidneys filter your blood and make urine

• Lungs release carbon dioxide

• Liver breaks down toxins from food, meds & the environment

• Gut processes nutrients and moves out the waste

Your liver especially is a detox superstar—breaking down everything from wine and painkillers to pollution and additives. But like any engine, it runs better on premium fuel.

If you’re worried about your gut health, I’d highly recommend downloading my online course The Ultimate Gut Health Programme to help support your digestive system, whilst avoiding triggering symptoms.

It’d be impossible to include all you need to know in one blog, but the programme will have all you need to know to ensure you’re soothing your digestive system, whilst eating delicious and filling foods.

• Fuel up smart: Eat real food—think veg, lean protein, whole grains, and healthy fats

• Hydrate like a pro: Filtered water, herbal teas, and green tea all help flush toxins

🗣️ Want Personalised Support?

📞 Book a call with me – use the link, below.

Or grab my FREE gut health mini-program, link below — it’s the perfect first step toward a happier, healthier gut.

Ever heard of leaky gut — or its more scientific name, intestinal permeability? Even if it’s new to you, chances are it could be at the root of many frustrating symptoms you’re dealing with right now.  Read on to learn more about leaky gut causes and symptoms. 

From bloating and food sensitivities to brain fog, skin flare-ups and stubborn weight gain — yes, even that — the causes of leaky gut can trigger problems all over your body. The good news? You can fix it — and it starts with knowing the signs.

Let’s dive into the top causes of leaky gut and how to spot if it’s affecting you.

🚨 First things first: What is leaky gut?

Your gut lining isn’t just a passive tube – it’s an intelligent barrier made of cells tightly joined together. These tight junctions control what gets absorbed into your bloodstream – and what should stay out.

But when those junctions get “leaky”, undigested food particles, toxins and pathogens can sneak through. Your immune system notices – and often freaks out, triggering inflammation, autoimmune reactions and a host of mystery symptoms.

💥 Leaky Gut Causes You Need to Know

1. Your Genes

Some people are simply more sensitive to environmental triggers – and their immune system may overreact to things others can tolerate just fine.

2. Your Diet

Certain foods are known to irritate the gut lining or provoke inflammatory responses. Usual suspects include:

• Gluten (especially wheat)

• Refined sugar

• GMOs

• Refined vegetable oils

• Artificial additives

• Processed dairy

Cutting back on these can do wonders for your gut health.

3. Stress (the silent saboteur)

Chronic, unmanaged stress wreaks havoc on your digestive system and weakens your gut barrier. Stress management isn’t a luxury — it’s essential.

If you’re worried about your gut health, I’d highly recommend downloading my online course The Ultimate Gut Health Programme to help support your digestive system, whilst avoiding triggering symptoms.

It’d be impossible to include all you need to know in one blog, but the programme will have all you need to know to ensure you’re soothing your digestive system, whilst eating delicious and filling foods.

4. Toxins (they’re hiding everywhere)

Your gut faces daily attacks from things like:

• Household cleaners

• Conventional cosmetics and hair dyes

• Antibiotics and NSAIDs

• Unfiltered tap water

• Pesticide-laced food

You don’t need to go full detox hippie – but switching to natural products, filtering your water and eating organic when possible helps lighten the load.

5. Dysbiosis (gut bugs gone rogue)

Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria — some friendly, some not so much. When the bad guys take over, they damage your gut lining, disrupt your immune system and fuel inflammation.

1. Thyroid imbalances

2. Fatty liver or Type II diabetes

3. Autoimmune conditions

4. Chronic fatigue

5. Weight gain or difficulty losing weight

💡 We don’t yet know if leaky gut causes these conditions — but they’re often found side-by-side.

🗣️ Want Personalised Support?

📞 Book a call with me – use the link, below.

Or grab my FREE gut health mini-program, link below — it’s the perfect first step toward a happier, healthier gut.

Can’t Sleep? The Real Culprit Might Be Hiding in Your Gut – read on to learn more about gut health and sleep.

Tossing and turning at night? Waking up at 3 a.m. for no good reason? You’re far from alone. But what if I told you the answer to your sleep struggles isn’t just in your head — it’s in your gut?

It might sound surprising, but science is uncovering powerful links between your gut health and the quality of your sleep. In fact, your gut and brain are in constant conversation — and when your gut’s not happy, your sleep suffers.

Let’s explore how your gut microbiome could be sabotaging your rest, who’s most at risk, and what you can do to turn things around.

🧠 How Your Gut Shapes Your Sleep

Your gut microbiome — the trillions of bacteria living in your digestive tract — doesn’t just influence digestion. It also plays a key role in regulating your circadian rhythm, sleep hormones, and your overall ability to fall and stay asleep.

Here’s how:

• Alters your circadian rhythm (your internal body clock)

• Influences melatonin and serotonin, which are crucial for sleep

• Impacts your sleep-wake cycle and how much time you actually spend in restful sleep

In short: a rich and diverse gut microbiome is linked with better, deeper, more restorative sleep.

🌀 Serotonin: The Gut-Sleep Connection

Serotonin is often called the “feel-good hormone,” but did you know it also regulates your sleep cycle? Around 90% of your serotonin is made in the gut, and your gut bacteria directly influence how much of it your body produces.

When gut health is out of balance — for example, after a course of antibiotics — serotonin levels often drop, and sleep quality goes with it. In mouse studies, a disrupted gut microbiome meant lower serotonin and significantly worse sleep.

😴 Poor Sleep? Your Gut Feels It Too

This relationship goes both ways. Just as gut health affects sleep, lack of sleep damages your gut — quickly.

Even a few nights of disrupted sleep can:

• Reduce microbial diversity

• Encourage harmful bacteria to thrive

• Trigger bloating and digestive issues

Your gut bacteria are highly responsive to your sleep patterns. In fact, night waking and sleep deprivation seem to encourage the growth of less desirable bacteria — the kind that cause gas, inflammation, and more.

If you’re worried about your gut health, I’d highly recommend downloading my online course The Ultimate Gut Health Programme to help support your digestive system, whilst avoiding triggering symptoms.

It’d be impossible to include all you need to know in one blog, but the programme will have all you need to know to ensure you’re soothing your digestive system, whilst eating delicious and filling foods.

🥦 What to Eat to Help Sleep and Heal Your Gut

If you’re struggling with sleep and suspect your gut might be playing a role, start by nourishing your microbiome.

Probiotic-rich fermented foods:

• Live, natural yogurt (no sugar, no flavourings)

• Kefir (dairy or non-dairy)

• Sauerkraut

• Miso

• Tempeh

🗣️ Want Personalised Support?

Gut health and sleep are deeply connected — but everyone’s story is unique. If you’d like to explore your symptoms, and how I might be able to help, I offer a FREE 30-minute consultation to chat through your health concerns and next steps.  Link to book below.

When I tell clients that their test results show signs of a parasitic infection, their first reaction is often shock or embarrassment. But the truth is, it’s far more common—and less alarming—than you might think. In many cases, a targeted parasite cleanse can support your gut health and bring relief from lingering digestive issues. 

Let’s take a closer look at what’s really going on, and how to tell if a parasite cleanse might be right for you.

What Is a Parasite?

A parasite is an organism that lives on or inside a host and survives by drawing nutrients from it. While that might sound unsettling, not all parasites are harmful. Some live harmlessly on our skin, feeding on dead skin cells and playing a role in our skin microbiome.

However, certain internal parasites are less helpful. These organisms may interfere with nutrient absorption or disrupt your gut microbiome, leading to unwanted symptoms.

Some of the more well-known examples include:

• Giardia lamblia

• Entamoeba histolytica

• Threadworms

• Tapeworms

• Hookworms

In some cases, such as malaria, parasites can cause severe illness. But more often, they are part of a larger picture involving gut imbalance—and that’s where a carefully designed parasite cleanse can help.

Could a Parasite Cleanse Help You?

Parasitic infections can affect anyone, regardless of their lifestyle or general health. You might pick one up from contaminated food or water, especially after travel. The presence of parasites doesn’t necessarily mean they’re causing your symptoms—but it does signal that your gut environment might need attention.

If you’re worried about your gut health, I’d highly recommend downloading my online course The Ultimate Gut Health Programme to help support your digestive system, whilst avoiding triggering symptoms.

It’d be impossible to include all you need to know in one blog, but the programme will have all you need to know to ensure you’re soothing your digestive system, whilst eating delicious and filling foods.

In fact, many people unknowingly live with parasites for years without serious issues. The key is understanding the bigger picture: your overall gut health.

An imbalanced microbiome (also called dysbiosis), a leaky gut, or weakened immunity can create the perfect conditions for parasites to thrive. Sometimes, parasites are the cause of the imbalance. Other times, the imbalance existed first and allowed them to take hold.

What’s Involved in a Parasite Cleanse?

A well-designed parasite cleanse typically focuses on two main goals:

1. Eliminating harmful organisms

2. Restoring a healthy gut environment

Sometimes, herbal antimicrobials are used to target specific organisms. These may include:

• Oregano oil

• Berberine

• Grapefruit seed extract

But please don’t self-prescribe these! They’re powerful substances that can disrupt your beneficial gut bacteria if used incorrectly. Always work with a qualified practitioner to make sure you’re using the right support, in the right way.

Final Thoughts

If you’re experiencing digestive issues that don’t seem to improve with diet alone, it may be worth considering a gut health assessment and, if appropriate, a parasite cleanse.

Parasites often show up as part of a larger pattern of imbalance—and tackling the root cause is more effective than simply trying to eliminate the organism. With the right guidance, you can restore your gut to a healthier state and start feeling more like yourself again.