Herbal Support for Digestive Health
Why the Digestive System Is the Foundation of Wellness
A well-functioning gastric system is the foundation of health. However, if our gut is not digesting, absorbing or eliminating waste correctly, there is an elevated possibility for the rest of our body to become affected. According to the Canadian Digestive Health foundation (2020), more than 20 million Canadians suffer from a digestive condition every year. These functional gastrointestinal disorders escalate every year, mainly due to the overconsumption of a western based diet, chronic stress and living a sedentary lifestyle (1,2,3). Fortunately, our digestive system possesses the ability to repair itself through the help of healthy eating and the use of other health promoting therapies.
The Role of Herbal Medicine in Gastrointestinal Healing
Herbal medicine is the study and practice of the medicinal and therapeutic aspects of plants. This traditional form of medicine has shown through clinical studies to be therapeutic towards various gastric disruptions : Liquorice root (glycyrrhiza glabra) for peptic ulcers (4), Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) for nausea and vomiting (5), Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) for constipation (6), Oregano (Oreganium officinalis) and Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) (7,8), etc. These herbs along with other botanicals in similar categories are utilised by Herbalists to create a formula (tea, powder, or tincture) specifically designed to help with your presenting health concern.
Herbal Remedies for Common Gastric Concerns
A few herbal categories that can encourage the healing process of the gastrointestinal system are outlined below :
Demulcent Herbs : are rich in mucilage which help soothe intestinal inflammation and soften stools.
Examples : Marshmallow Root (A.officinalis), Slippery Elm (U.fulva), Irish Moss (C.crispus), etc.
Astringent Herbs : help tighten up the intestinal tissue junctions in leaky gut syndrome.
Examples : Agrimony (A.eupatoria), Oak Bark (Q.alba), Bilberry (V.myrtillus), etc.
Antiseptic Herbs : can fight various gastric disrupting pathogens (SIBO, candida and parasites)
Examples : Barberry (B.vulgaris), Goldenseal (H.canadensis), Wormwood (A.absinthium) etc.
Anti-spasmodic Herbs : assist the body during episodes of diarrhoea or intestinal cramps.
Examples : Wild yam (D.villosa), Fennel seed (F.vulgare), German Chamomile (M.chamomilla)
Bitter Herbs : stimulate digestion, which are beneficial towards sluggish bowel movements.
Examples : Bogbean (M.trifoliata), Gentian (G.lutea), Dandelion root (T.officinalis), etc.
References
Shau, J. P., Chen, P. H., Chan, C. F., Hsu, Y. C., Wu, T. C., James, F. E., & Pan, W. H. (2016). Fast foods--are they a risk factor for functional gastrointestinal disorders?. Asia Pacific journal of clinical nutrition, 25(2), 393–401. https://doi.org/10.6133/apjcn.2016.25.2.28
Ohlsson, B., & Manjer, J. (2016). Physical inactivity during leisure time and irregular meals are associated with functional gastrointestinal complaints in middle-aged and elder subjects. Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology, 51(11), 1299–1307. https://doi.org/10.1080/00365521.2016.1209786
Suarez, K., Mayer, C., Ehlert, U., & Nater, U. M. (2010). Psychological stress and self-reported functional gastrointestinal disorders. The Journal of nervous and mental disease, 198(3), 226–229. https://doi.org/10.1097/NMD.0b013e3181d106bc
Jalilzadeh-Amin, G., Najarnezhad, V., Anassori, E., Mostafavi, M., & Keshipour, H. (2015). Antiulcer properties of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. extract on experimental models of gastric ulcer in mice. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR, 14(4), 1163–1170.
Marx, W., Kiss, N., & Isenring, L. (2015). Is ginger beneficial for nausea and vomiting? An update of the literature. Current opinion in supportive and palliative care, 9(2), 189–195. https://doi.org/10.1097/SPC.0000000000000135
Hong, S. W., Chun, J., Park, S., Lee, H. J., Im, J. P., & Kim, J. S. (2018). Aloe vera Is Effective and Safe in Short-term Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of neurogastroenterology and motility, 24(4), 528–535. https://doi.org/10.5056/jnm18077
Saeed S, Tariq P. Antibacterial activity of oregano (Origanum vulgare Linn.) against gram positive bacteria. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2009;22(4):421–4
Yang Y, Ye XL, Li XG, Zhen J, Zhang B, Yuan L. Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of 8-alkylberberine derivatives with a long aliphatic chain. Planta Med. 2007;73(6):602–4