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Digestive Helpers Here are some herbal remedies that have been used as Digestive System helpers throughout history. Scroll down to find your ailment. Click on 'Fact Sheet' for more information. Chronic Diarrhea Plantain (Plantago major) Part used: Whole plant History: Classic European diarrhea treatment Science: Contains tannins that dry secretions Practitioners opinion: Very effective, especially in chronic diarrhea Directions: Tincture: 2.5ml three times daily Chronic diarrhea can be a feature of chronic illness or a poorly functioning digestive tract. In both instances, the tonic and the drying effect of Plantain make it ideal. It gently improves health while specifically tending to the digestive tract. Constipation Psyllium Seed (Plantago psyllium) Part used: Seed History: Long used to resolve constipation. Science: Contains mucilage, which bulks in the colon Practitioners opinion: The very best treatment for chronic constipation Directions: Seeds: Two teaspoons mixed with 200 ml of water daily Psyllium husk is a bulk laxative providing the fibre necessary for proper bowel function. Our low fibre diet is to blame for most cases of constipation and the addition of this seed to the diet remedies virtually every case. Taken once a day, it takes several days to work. Constipation Dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis) Part used: Root & rhizome History: A European classic treatment for constipation Science: Stimulates bile production, which loosens stools Practitioners opinion: Effective in most cases of constipation Directions: Tincture: 5ml three times daily Juice: 10ml twice daily with water before meals. Dandelion root has featured in European medicine for centuries. It is considered a blood cleanser, liver tonic and laxative. The herb increases the liver's production of bile, which loosens stools. In most cases of constipation, this is an ideal remedy. Constipation Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus) Part used: Root History: European treatment for constipation Science: Contains compounds which speed bowel emptying Practitioners opinion: Should not be used long term Directions: Tincture: 2.5 ml twice daily The digestive tract is one means the body has to rid itself of waste. Chronic constipation is a symptom of waste retention and can lead to poor general health and skin tone. In chronic constipation, Yellow Dock is ideal. It stimulates the bowel into emptying its waste more efficiently and does not cause discomfort in the process. Digestion Aid Peppermint (Mentha piperita) Part used: Leaf History: Digestive stimulant of choice from the Greek days forward Science: Contains compounds that increase gastric secretion Practitioners opinion: Ideal when digestion is sluggish Directions: Tincture: 2.5ml three times daily after meals When there is insufficient digestive juice production, indigestion occurs. Food sits in the gut. As we age and when we are ill gastric secretion can decrease. In these cases, Peppermint can be used to improve digestion. Digestive ‘Cure All’ Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) Part used: Flowers History: Long used in Europe to improve digestive function Science: Made active by a complicated cocktail of compounds Practitioners opinion: Works fabulously when used continuously Directions: Tincture: 2.5ml three times daily Juice: 10ml twice daily with water before meals. Chamomile is called "mother of the gut" and is a full service digestive tonic and a must for anyone suffering from a digestive problem. Research has shown that it relaxes cramps, soothes sore tissue, heals ulcers and increases the production of essential digestive juices. Diarrhea Treatment Cranesbill (Geranium maculatum) Part used: Root History: Ancient European treatment for diarrhoea Science: Contains tannins that dry up digestive secretions Practitioners opinion: Very mild and suitable for adults and children Directions: Tincture: 2.5ml three times daily Cranesbill can be used as an emergency medicine when diarrhoea hits and will not stop. It contains drying compounds that simply reduce the amount of fluid lost through the digestive tract. It is emergency medicine and should not be used long term. Flatulence Caraway (Carum Carvi) Part used: Seed History: Used to reduce flatulence since Roman times Science: Speeds movement of food through gut Practitioners opinion: Reduces flatulence when digestion is sluggish Directions: Tincture: 2.5ml after meals More often than not excessive flatulence is caused by sluggish digestion. Food sits in the gut, ferments, and gives off noxious fumes. Caraway gets the food moving and thus ends the compost pile phenomenon. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Black Haw (Viburnum prunifolium) Part used: Bark History: Used first by North American natives then by Colonials Science: Contains valerianic acid, a muscle relaxant Practitioners opinion: Works within 30 minutes Directions: Tincture: 2.5 ml two or three times daily Black Haw is a North American plant long used to relax cramps in internal organs, the bowel included. For this reason it is used to treat what we now call Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It was first used by the Native Americans to treat spasms of the gastro-intestinal tract and practitioners today continue to advocate its usage. It is especially effective when stress is at the root of the problem. Liver Disease Milk Thistle (Carduus marianus) Part used: Seed History: European treatment for poisoning Science: Silymarin prevents damage to liver cells Practitioners opinion: The herb to prevent liver damage Directions: Tincture: 2.5 ml twice daily Research has found that Milk Thistle contains flavolignans which protect the liver from damaging toxic substances. People with liver damage tend to suffer from poor digestion and malabsorption as a result of their lack of bile. Milk Thistle can help remedy this situation. Nausea and Food Poisoning Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) Part used: Rhizome History: Classic Chinese treatment for nausea and food poisoning Science: Made active by essential oils Practitioners opinion: The herb for motion sickness and food poisoning Directions: Tablets: Two tablets 30 minutes before travel; two tablets three times a day in food poisoning Tincture: 2.5ml 30 minutes before travel; 2.5ml three times a day in food poisoning. In China, fishermen keep ginger root on the boat in the event they hit rough seas or eat a bad fish. For either motion sickness or food poisoning, Ginger reigns supreme. It reduces nausea, kills digestive bugs on contact, and stimulates the immune system to get busy killing any unwelcome visitors to the digestive tract. Do not board a plane or boat without it. |
