Kitchen Herbs-Herbal Medicine for Digestive Complaints
Most of us don’t give the process of digestion a second thought… until something goes wrong. The gut is more than just a place where nutrition is absorbed, it is actually a sense organ and our primary immune organ. Approximately half the population will experience a digestive problem in a 12-month period. If you haven’t had a concern yourself, you have more than likely come across someone complaining about heartburn, wind, bloating, nausea and a general feeling of discomfort in the gut.
The gut is required to make more immunological decisions in one day than the immune system makes in a lifetime. So, it makes sense to be mindful of any digestive discomfort experienced. Natural therapists know the importance the gut plays in emotions and vice versa and are well aware of the connection between the two. The gut is linked to almost every health condition from depression, diabetes, autism and autoimmunity. We need to appreciate and remember, every single day the gut has to cope with a huge amount of information on an unconscious level.
How do you deal with and ‘digest’ certain emotions and experiences?
It is not uncommon for individuals to experience emotions through the gut. A very common feeling is butterflies in the stomach associated with a stressful or exciting situation. It is not unusual to see digestive issues disappear on a lovely, relaxing vacation.
Clinically, practitioners have recognized the role the gut plays in optimal health and wellbeing with emerging evidence supporting this. The digestive system consists of the organs, cells and tissues devoted to digestion. The digestive system absorbs and assimilates nutrients in your food, then eliminates them. Any number of things can upset this balance. The gastrointestinal tract consists of the mouth, pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, intestines, rectum and anus.
Often people experience symptoms associated with low stomach acid such as bloating, reflux and will often complain of discomfort soon after eating a meal. Low stomach acid may be due to medication, alcohol consumption and other dietary and lifestyle factors. Stomach acid is required to act as a potent antimicrobial barrier against ingested microorganisms. Poor bowel function can also contribute to fermentation in the lower gut, leading to dysbiosis and chronic disease.
Optimal Digestion-Rest & Digest
These common issues are often associated with various food intolerances. However, I would like to discuss the role of your nervous system in the process of digestion and how it may affect how you feel.
Optimal digestion occurs when you are in the ‘rest and digest’ stage. In today’s busy world we are often eating in front of computers while working, eating breakfast in our car before work, skipping meals then making up for it at the end of the day or even eating and walking at the same time. Does this sound familiar?
Eventually, many find themselves bloated and uncomfortable as a result. A good idea is to have a good look at how, where and when you consume your meals, how do you feel when you eat?
Are you feeling rushed?
Are you ‘inhaling’ your food, instead of chewing thoroughly?
Are you missing meals?
Do you have a good appetite or are you just eating by the clock?
Did you know digestion begins before we even put food in our mouth?
Traditional medicine teaches us, it’s not only what you put into your body it’s how you eat and treat meal times. Taking care to prepare and cook a meal is so important. There is nothing like the smell of a delicious home cooked meal permeating a household. This aroma stimulates appetite and prepares the gut to receive food, an important process which is often underestimated.
Herbal medicine
Thankfully the plant world has provided us with a myriad of exceptional herbs to help support a range of digestive disorders. Here are a few of my favourites…
Bitters
Bitters support digestion and ‘wake up’ the digestive system. Bitters are generally lacking in today’s diet, mostly due to the increase in refined, packaged and take away foods. Bitter foods don’t often win the popularity contest in taste; however, this taste is an important part of digestive and liver health. Bitters help stimulate the production of hydrochloric acid and prepare the gut for food, they are also useful during convalescence or conditions involving loss of appetite. These herbs aid the liver in detoxification and increase flow of bile. They also have a regulatory effect upon pancreatic secretions, which regulate blood sugar, insulin and glucagon. Sources include dandelion greens, radicchio, grapefruit, rocket, and dandelion root tea. Drinking bitters before meals will help with digestion, bloating, indigestion and constipation.
Dandelion
This humble weed grows in most backyards and is often overlooked until a wish is made or the weed killer comes out. Dandelion root is prized as a digestive bitter, you can purchase dried dandelion root tea from any good health food store. Made into a hot drink, it can substitute coffee for those wishing to give up caffeine. The young leaves can be picked and added to salads, a few young roots can be added to stir fries, soups and casseroles.
Orange Peel
Orange peel is a really easy medicine to use. Just collect the discarded peel from your orange and lay on a plate to dry. Once dry store in an air tight container, in a cool dark place and save for further use. Orange peel is both warming and drying in nature and a little bitter. A lovely tea to try for wind, bloating and that feeling of ‘stagnation’, the feeling of food just sitting in your stomach and not actually digesting.
Use- 1 tsp of peel to a cup of boiling water. Infuse for 10 minutes and sip slowly.
Fennel Seed
Fennel seed is an often-forgotten kitchen herb, tucked away in the spice draw, waiting to be discovered. If you feel queasy after a meal, perhaps give fennel a try? Symptoms of bloating and wind? Try fennel! Fennel is often added to formulas to help with the symptoms of IBS and colic. Taken as a tea before eating, it helps stimulate appetite and improves digestion.
UPSET TUMMY TEA
Ingredients
Use 1 Tbsp. of dry fennel seeds
1 Tbsp. lemon balm
Honey to taste
Method
Bring 1 ¼ cups of water to boil. Place herbs in a mug, pour in boiled water and seep for 5 mins. Strain and add honey to taste.
Recipe- Alchemy of Herbs, Rosalee De La Foret
Considerations
There are many options available if you feel as if symptoms are not changing. Speak to your Naturopath about testing options, they may range from a simple hair or skin prick test for food aggravations or intolerances to a comprehensive stool diagnosis. Taking a thorough case history and other diagnostic skills will determine the choice.
Filling out a diet and symptom diary will also help assess problematic foods, food plans and education around diet and nutrition is also implemented as part of the treatment plan. Always consult your GP if symptoms persist. Investigations and testing will vary for individuals depending on the presenting complaint.
REFERENCES
Begaum, T & Das, A, 2014, ‘Overview of Functional Gut Disorders’, IAIM Journal, vol. 1, no. 2, viewed 9 Sept 2017, http://iaimjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/5-overview-of-functional-bowel-disorders.pdf
De La Foret, R, 2017, Alchemy of Herbs, Hay House Inc
Gladstar, R, 2008, Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health, Storey Publishing
Herbal Academy, Intermediate lecture notes, 2015
