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We can roughly divide digestion into three processes: digestion, absorption, and elimination. Adequate gastric HCl is essential for proper digestion of nutrients. The use of over-the-counter antacids, and OTC or prescription acid blockers (H-2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors) may relieve heartburn, but it also inhibits our ability to digest and absorb essential nutrients such as B-12, magnesium, calcium, folate, iron, zinc, and vitamin D. Herbs can be incredibly effective for enhancing digestion and the associated discomforts that it can bring.
If you’ve taken any of my classes over the last 40 years you have heard me say “If I could only do one thing for most people it would be to give them Bitters.” But bitters are not a “one size fits all” category of herbs. There are cooling bitters, warming bitters, spices (for spiced bitters), non-alkaloidal bitters (for promoting digestion), alkaloidal bitters (for supporting liver and gallbladder function), and fragrant bitters for the more sensitive palate. Creating appropriate bitter formulas with different flavor profiles and actions allows for greater specificity for each person with their unique digestive issues. Whichever is right for a specific person, bitters can be viewed as starting the digestive process.
- Original Bitters – Promotes Healthy Digestion – the classic balanced formula. It contains Angelica root, Orange peel, Dandelion root, Gentian with a hint of the carminative peppermint
- Spiced Bitters – Promotes Healthy Digestion – This bitter formula has a Chai-like flavor profile, it is very useful for people with gas, bloating, dyspepsia, as well as helping to maintain healthy blood sugar levels already within normal ranges.This balanced formula combines: Cooling Bitters Gentian, Artichoke, Aromatic and Carminative spices Ginger, Cinnamon, Orange Peel, Cardamom and Warming Aromatic Fenugreek
- Old World Bitters– Promotes Healthy Digestion – Classic European herbs with a “Hops” flavor note. This formula works well for people who have intestinal or GI discomfort. This balanced formula combines: Cooling Herbs Blessed Thistle, Elderflower, Gentian, Hops, Warming Herbs Horehound, Linden and Warming Aromatic Fenugreek
- Bitter Roots– Promotes Healthy Digestion – Earthy and grounding flavor notes for those preferring a hardy bitter that promotes healthy liver and gallbladder function. This balanced formula combines: Cooling Bitters Dandelion root, Gentian, Yellow Dock, Burdock root and Warming Aromatic Elecampane, Turmeric
Heartburn has two primary causes - too much stomach acid and too little, and the symptoms are almost identical. Younger people are more likely to have excess stomach acid (hyperchlorhydria), while older people 45+ are more likely to have too little stomach acid or gastric HCl (known as achlorhydria or hypochlorhydria) due to the normal process of decreasing stomach acid secretion as we age. This is basically an accurate generalization, although a person in their teens or twenties can still lack stomach acid and digestive enzymes in some cases. An easy way to find out is to try taking some apple cider vinegar when you have “heartburn”. If it helps, you most likely have too little stomach acid. If it makes it worse, then you probably have too much.
Herbs used for soothing an overactive stomach include Marshmallow (tea, tincture or capsule), Slippery Elm (tea or capsule), Meadowsweet (tincture or tea), Chamomile (tea or tincture) or Lemon Balm (tincture or tea).
To stimulate the digestive process, use a balanced formula made of warming and cooling bitters. My Original Bitters Compound formula contains two of the most effective herbs for promoting gastric HCl secretion: Orange Peel and Angelica.
For gas, abdominal bloating and borborygmus (intestinal rumbling) I use carminative herbs which reduce flatulence, nausea, intestinal gas discomfort, and dyspepsia. These are aromatic herbs, rich in volatile or essential oils. Many are found in my Carminative Compound which contains Fennel seed, Chamomile, Peppermint, Wild Yam and Ginger.
Designed for children, Kid’s Tummy Relief is an alcohol-free glycerin extract containing Chamomile, Catnip, Ginger, Lemon Balm, Dandelion Root to promote normal bowel and liver function. I add a small amount of Peppermint essential oil for digestive support and to improve the taste.
To support the lower digestive tract, and help with the discomforts of gas and bloating, Intestinal Calmpound contains selected herbs supportive to the gastro-intestinal tract. I chose Yarrow and Turmeric, to help calm and balance the normal inflammatory response or the gastro intestinal tract, with Turmeric, especially supportive to the mucosa of the small and large intestines. Wild Yam has a long history of use by native peoples, as well as the Eclectic and Physiomedical physicians for gas discomfort. I use Catnip for stress-induced spasms of the large intestine; it addresses flatulence and abdominal bloating. Sarsaparilla helps support healthy GI tract tissue and enhances waste excretion. Chamomile is a carminative, soothing to the GI tract and useful for gas discomfort and indigestion. Kudzu (Ge Gen) and Cyperus (Xiang Fu) are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treating a number of bowel issues. Kudzu is soothing to the GI tract and helps promote a healthy intestinal epithelial barrier. It also has antispasmodic effects. Cyperus is a strong GI antispasmodic, provides support for bowel discomfort and supports the normal inflammatory process
Individual herbs that are useful include Ginger, which is a carminative and helps warm and ripen the food as part of the digestive process and is good for an upset stomach, Chamomile calms a stressed-out stomach and aromatic Peppermint is a cooling digestive.
Also helpful for the lower digestive tract is Gentlelax. A “gentle“ formula combing mild stool softening herbs, with cholagogues (herbs that stimulate the production and secretion of bile from the liver and gallbladder. Bile is our natural endogenous laxative), aparients such as Dandelion root, which enhance normal liver and bowl function without acting as a stimulant laxative, and ginger which promotes digestion and prevents gripping caused by stimulant lower tract herbs (Buckthorn bark). It gets the digestive system moving.
A word about “cleansing” - a person eating a healthy diet does not need “cleansing” as our bodies do that by themselves every day. For people who eat poorly, and have a diet high in trans-fats, refined carbohydrates, artificial colors, too much salt and not enough fiber, and don’t drink adequate water or exercise, gentle cleanses may be helpful to restore digestive and bowl health. I caution against harsh cleansing products, which often cause imbalance in the digestive system. The gentle Restorative Cleansing Protocol I developed begins with a one-week Deep Cleanse and Detox, followed by a second week Rebalance Cleanse and Detox.
An important point to remember is that stress can be at the root of digestive conditions. From a holistic approach, you’d address the stress first, and often the digestive issues then resolve. You can learn more about stress here.
This blog is intended as an informational guide. The remedies, approaches and techniques described herein are meant to supplement, not be a substitute for, professional medical care or treatment. They should not be used to treat a serious ailment without prior consultation with a qualified health care professional.
