symptom is due to a problem in the stomach. It can be treated with the help of demulcents, but the condition of the stomach has also to be examined. If there is a problem with swallowing, the problem (dysphagia) should be examined professionally. It is often due to nervous tension and anxiety and may be relieved by the use of nervines like Hops, Valerian or Wild Lettuce.
Indigestion
The label ‘indigestion’ is used for a wide range of symptoms, all of which are due to a functional problem in the stomach caused by inappropriate eating habits. Indigestion (or dyspepsia) can be accompanied by pain, flatulence, heartburn and other symptoms. The causes of these symptoms can be grouped into four categories:
Irregular eating. The functioning of the body is characterised by rhythms, and the stomach—and in fact the whole digestive system—is no exception to this. If meals are taken irregularly, these rhythms are disturbed and functional problems may result. Shift-workers for instance are very prone to this.
Overeating and eating too quickly. If too much food goes into the stomach, either at any one time or in total over the day, the stomach will be overloaded and thus work with reduced efficiency. Overloading causes problems in the stomach which may affect the whole system. Obesity is the most common result. Also when food is eaten too quickly and not chewed thoroughly it causes problems; food will not be digested properly and may pass through the system in an undigested state.
Eating the wrong food. Many people are allergic to certain foods, even though the symptoms might not be very obvious. Any food that causes a problem should be eliminated from the diet altogether. A typical example is food containing gluten, such as wheat bread. Another common allergen may be cow’s milk.
Nervous tension. The stomach, like the whole digestive system, is easily affected by stress and anxiety.
By taking all these factors into account and by changing one’s diet and lifestyle accordingly, indigestion can be treated. There are a number of herbs that will speed up the healing process, but obviously they will have to be chosen according to the cause. The most important remedy is Meadowsweet, which will settle the stomach and reduce any excess acidity.
The demulcents can be very useful, a good one being Irish Moss, though the other digestive demulcents will also do.
If the digestion is sluggish, bitters like Gentian, Golden Seal and Wormwood will help.
If there is flatulence, the carminatives should be used as well. Good ones for the stomach are Aniseed, Balm, Cardamon, Fennel and Peppermint.
If there is nervous tension involved, the nervine relaxants are indicated, especially those that also aid digestion, such as Chamomile, Hops, Lavender, Rosemary and Valerian. In all cases consult the Herbal section to choose the most appropriate herb or combination of them to use in the individual case.
Gastritis
When a disturbance in the stomach changes from a functional one like indigestion to a structural one, the first stage is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach wall. It may last only for a short time and can be due to an infection or a reaction to food, or it might be more chronic. If it lasts for a while, the causes that should be looked at are: eating wrong foods, alcohol, cigarettes (swallowed tar) and stress. Usually a combination of these factors will be involved. The treatment of gastritis is based on diet and herbs.
As far as diet is concerned, the primary short-term need is to avoid irritants that may cause or aggravate the inflammation. These may involve temperature, or irritants of a chemical or mechanical nature:—Very hot foods or drinks should be abstained from as these will directly aggravate the inflammation. Cold things will usually have a similarly painful effect.
—Chemical irritants will have an immediate impact. Commonly used foodstuffs which contain vinegar, which is diluted acetic acid, must be avoided. Vinegar should not be added to food; pickles must similarly be avoided. Alcohol in any form is out, as this acts on the stomach lining in a similar way to vinegar. Tobacco will also aggravate the problem as much of the tar is swallowed. Spicy food, curries, rich and greasy foods will all have an unpleasant effect.
—Mechanical irritants will cause discomfort as well. When there is acute inflammation it is best to have a diet that is very low in fibre, as fibre may have a similar effect to sandpaper on a cut! A bland diet is called for: no coarse bread, nuts, tomatoes etc. As soon as an improvement is established, then reintroduce roughage, as it is an essential component of a healthy diet.
Herbally, the following mixture will effectively soothe and heal the stomach lining:
| Comfrey Root | 2 parts |
| Marshmallow Root | 2 parts |
| Meadowsweet | 2 parts |
| Golden Seal |
1 part  |
Take this tea after each meal, until the condition clears.
If a lot of flatulence accompanies the inflammation, add one part of Calamus to the mixture. Similarly, if stress is part of the problem, Valerian may be added as a suitable nervine.
Gastric ulcer
When abuse of the stomach has continued, perhaps unconsciously, for too long, an inevitable breakdown occurs in the lining of the stomach. As the mucous membranes of the wall no longer deal with the unhealthy condition, the acid and the digestive enzymes can reach the wall and take their toll. A gastric ulcer develops.
The herbal treatment of these ulcers is quite straightforward and apparently fast. However, a relief of the pain must not be confused with the healing of the underlying problem. The herbal remedies will ease the symptoms and start the healing process, but a complete healing will take time and has to include a close look at one’s lifestyle. By developing a gastric or a duodenal ulcer, the body is telling us that something in the whole web of our lifestyle is inappropriate. It may just be the diet, but it may also often be the work pattern, our relationships, or even our country’s defence policy!
Herbs can heal the ulcer, but it may return very quickly, unless the lessons being offered are recognised consciously and acted upon.
The treatment is based on a careful diet and on the use of herbs. A useful herbal tea consists of equal parts of
Comfrey Root
Golden Seal
Marshmallow Root
Meadowsweet
The Comfrey and Marshmallow provide excellent soothing demulcent action combined with a healing effect upon the mucous membranes. A cold infusion of the demulcents
