diet should be determined individually according to personal needs and philosophical approach.
Herbs for the digestive system
There are a multitude of plant remedies that have a use in the treatment of digestive disorders. This is not surprising if herbs are viewed as food—as vegetables. Most herbs are taken by mouth and therefore absorbed through the digestive system where their healing powers will start to be effective immediately.
Rather than give an endless list of digestive herbs, they will be reviewed by their actions with a few outstanding examples given. A more exhaustive list of herbs is given in the chapter on actions.
Actions can be broadly grouped into those that stimulate various parts of the system to increase or better activity—the digestive stimulants—and those that relax the tissue or reduce any overactivity in the system—the digestive relaxants.
Stimulants
Bitters
While having a large range of other properties and chemical constituents, the bitter herbs all have in common an intensely bitter taste. This bitterness promotes appetite and in a complex way aids digestion. As I explained earlier, this action is entirely via the taste buds and a reflex action in the brain. If these herbs are given in capsule form and cannot be tasted, their digestive properties do not come into play. Out of the many bitters, the most valuable ones are Barberry, Centaury, Gentian Root, Golden Seal, White Horehound and Wormwood.
Of course a large range of other actions are also represented here. For example, White Horehound can be used in a bronchitic condition where the appetite is weak and the digestion sluggish, or as a digestive remedy in cases where there is a lung weakness.
Sialagogues
The importance of the saliva in the digestive process cannot be overstressed. Digestion starts in the mouth and initiates a process that is continued in the gut. The saliva breaks down large carbohydrates into smaller units which can then be processed in other parts of the system. If time is not taken to chew food properly the saliva does not get to mix thoroughly enough with it and the whole digestive process is affected. Besides the bitters, which all stimulate the flow of saliva, other sialagogues are Cayenne, Ginger, Liquorice, Tamarind, and Turkey Rhubarb Root.
Hepatics
Hepatics are herbs that strengthen, tone and stimulate the secretive functions of the liver. This causes an increase in the flow of bile. Remedies that also promote the discharge of this bile into the duodenum are called cholagogues. In treating the whole body, it is often beneficial to aid the liver and its function as this most important organ is intimately involved in all body functions and the health of all tissues. The liver is involved in digestive problems via the bile. As its importance would suggest, there are many hepatic herbs available to us, and the most useful are Balmony, Barberry, Black Root, Blue Flag, Boldo, Dandelion Root, Fringetree Bark, Golden Seal, Vervain, Wahoo, Wild Yam and Yellow Dock.
Laxatives and Evacuants
Many herbs can promote the evacuation of the bowels, ranging from very mild laxatives to more violent and drastic purgatives. Such strong purgatives should only be used in extreme cases and under qualified supervision. The best laxatives are those that stimulate the natural secretion of digestive juices such as bile (the cholagogues), thus promoting evacuation. Some of these are Balmony, Barberry, Dandelion Root, Liquorice, Wahoo and Yellow Dock.
For a more powerful evacuant, consider Rhubarb Root, which in small dosage is also a mild astringent. Other valuable ones to consider are Aloe, Buckthorn, Cascara Sagrada and Senna. These stronger evacuants work mainly by chemical or neurological stimulation, irritating the lining of the intestines and causing an active expulsion of material.
Emetics
There are situations where expulsion of the content of the stomach is highly desirable, as in poisoning, where vomiting is often the appropriate treatment. Many plants can cause this reflex by either acting on the controlling nerves or by irritating the gastric lining. Good ones to use would be Balm, Ipecacuanha, Lobelia and Senega.
Anthelmintics
The anthelmintics are a group of stimulating herbs that do not really act on the digestive system itself but rather against parasitic worms that might be present. Please refer to the chapter on infections and infestations for more information.
Relaxants
Following the stimulants, we shall consider a group of properties that relax the tissue of the digestive system or reduce the overactivity of normal functions.
Demulcents
When the membranes of the digestive tract are irritated or inflamed, demulcent herbs can soothe and protect them. Out of the many demulcents that are active in different parts of the body, Comfrey Root, Hops, Iceland Moss, Irish Moss, Marshmallow Root, Oats, Quince Seed and Slippery Elm are most effective for the digestive system.
Carminatives
Many aromatic herbs contain volatile oils that affect the digestive system by relaxing the stomach muscles, increasing the peristalsis of the intestine and reducing the production of gas in the system. They thus support the movement of material through the system and relieve distension due to gas. Of the many carminatives, Angelica, Aniseed, Calamus, Caraway, Cardamon, Cayenne, Chamomile, Coriander, Fennel, Ginger, Peppermint and Thyme are among the best ones for the digestive system.
Astringents
The action of astringents lies mainly in their ability to contract cell walls, thus condensing the tissue and making it firmer and arresting any unwanted discharge. Of the many astringents provided by the plant kingdom, Agrimony, Bayberry, Cranesbill, Meadowsweet, Nettles, Oak Bark, Pilewort and Tormentil are suitable for the digestive system.
Anti-spasmodics
Anti-spasmodics are remedies that rapidly relax any nervous tension that may be causing digestive spasms or colic. The tension of our current lifestyle can manifest in many digestive conditions that necessitate the use of relaxing nervines or muscular anti-spasmodics. The best ones to use in cases of digestive problems are Chamomile, Hops, Lobelia, Mistletoe, Pasque Flower, Skullcap and Valerian. See the Herbal section for more details on each of these, in order to choose the best herb or combination for the individual case.
Anti-microbials
