Infections can be the cause of digestive problems; they can also arise easily if the digestive system has been weakened by a disease. In either case, the use of anti-microbials will be helpful. Many of the herbs already mentioned are anti-microbials, such as Pulsatilla, Thyme and Wormwood, but the two outstanding ones are Echinacea and Myrrh.
Patterns of digestive diseases
In this section we shall review the digestive system starting from the mouth and ending with the rectum, referring to the common conditions but explaining their treatment in terms of the whole. It is valuable first to recognise a number of symptoms that are common to many diseases affecting the whole system but which have a particular relevance to digestion. These are constipation, diarrhoea, vomiting, pain and loss of appetite.
Constipation
Contrary to common belief, constipation is not a disease but a symptom of some underlying problem. This could be inappropriate diet, a liver problem or even a physical blockage in the system. In any case, the cause must be identified and treated, as the long term use of laxatives in chronic constipation can eventually lead to other symptoms such as headaches, colic or even jaundice. Most constipation would not occur if the body were given a well-balanced diet with adequate levels of roughage.
In cases of chronic constipation, the muscles of the intestines have to be retrained to move the bowel content. The movement of the intestinal wall is a complex and highly integrated example of muscle control, designed to push the content onwards at the right time and with the right force. This natural peristaltic movement can be blocked by the long use of laxatives. Two things should be done to retrain the intestines: care should be taken that meals are eaten regularly (same time each day) and small amounts of appropriate herbs should be used to re-stimulate the peristalsis, for instance Cascara Sagrada.
A further factor that should not be underestimated is the attitude and state of mind of the person who is constipated. Somebody who is tense and tight, who wants to hold on to everything and everyone, who cannot relax and let go, whose attitude towards the world is one of taking and keeping rather than of giving and staying open, will often also be constipated. In such cases, relaxation exercises or meditation can be the best laxatives.
When constipation is the result of a disease process, it is important to relieve the symptom whilst treating the cause, otherwise the body might absorb some of the stagnant material from the intestine.
Of all the evacuant herbs available, perhaps the most widely applicable is Rhubarb Root, as it is a prime example of a normalising herb. While in a large dose it is a purgative, taken in small doses it tones and astringes the intestine wall, promotes appetite and can disperse any gas that develops.
Any of the evacuant herbs will work well on their own, but the following mixture combines a number of valuable actions. Barberry aids the liver and the gall-bladder, Boldo stimulates the digestive process, Cascara Sagrada acts on the peristaltic movement, Liquorice is mainly included to mask the bitter taste of some of the herbs, Rhubarb Root is included in a small dose for the above mentioned reasons and Ginger will guard against any colic:
| Barberry | 2 parts |
| Boldo | 2 parts |
| Cascara Sagrada | 1 part |
| Liquorice | 1 part |
| Rhubarb Root | 1 part |
| Ginger |
1 part  |
Take a cup of this tea before going to bed.
As an alternative to Boldo, Dandelion can be used and Fennel can be substituted for Ginger, both in the same quantities.
Dandelion
Diarrhoea
A diarrhoea that does not last more than a day or two is a very common symptom and can be caused by an acute infection or inflammation of the intestine wall or by psychological stress, for instance by over-excitement or by a long journey. In most cases diarrhoea sets in when the body has to remove digestive poisons from its system, and as such it should not be suppressed. However, it can be useful to control the process and help the system with herbs that tone the lining of the intestine wall and which are mildly astringent. For persistent, long-standing diarrhoea, seek the advice of a skilled practitioner. By far the best mild digestive astringent is Meadowsweet, which can safely be used in all cases of diarrhoea. In cases of childhood diarrhoea, a good remedy is a tea made of equal parts of Lady’s Mantle and Meadowsweet, which can be sweetened with some honey and should be taken often. For an acute attack in adults, a very good mixture would be a tea of equal parts of:
American Cranesbill
Bay berry
Meadowsweet
Oak Bark
This tea should be drunk every hour until the symptoms subside and then before every meal until the digestion is normal.
Pain
Pain in the digestive system is an indicator of the type of illness present. Any extreme, acute abdominal pain necessitates immediate medical supervision. Less acute pain will often accompany digestive disorders. Colic and griping pains are due to intense muscle spasms in the gut, and usually indicate an attempt to remove a blockage that could be caused by wind or faecal matter, or perhaps a muscle spasm of nervous origin. Flatulent colic will be relieved by the carminative herbs but all causes must be treated to clear the pain. Useful antispasmodics in this case are Caraway, Ginger, Valerian and Wild Yam. Pain from stomach ulcers and similar problems can be eased by using demulcents such as Marshmallow or Comfrey. Of course, the roots of the problem must be treated in all cases where pain is a symptom.
Loss of appetite
The appetite can be a good indicator for the state of the digestive system. If there is for instance a gastric problem, the appetite will often diminish for a period of time. This way the stomach will have a better chance to recover, as it has to process less food. A similar pattern can evolve with liver problems when the liver is over-burdened.
If
