Together, they aid the stomach and intestines in the breakdown of food for the body. The name trikatu, which refers to its potent flavour that moves and awakens the body, translates as "three pungent. Trikatu is generally taken as a capsule, but it is also readily available in a powder form that can be dissolved with warm water and honey.

Another well-known herbal mixture, one of the earliest in the book, is triphala. To strengthen the gastrointestinal tract and digestive system, it combines three fruits. Amla, bibhitaki, and haritaki are the fruits that are emphasised.

Haritaki, which means "fearless of sickness," is known to assist healthy bowel movements and intestinal health; bibhitaki, which has a mild laxative effect; and amla, which is brimming with minerals that rejuvenate the human body. According to alternative and complementary medicine journals, the human gut flora is modulated by the polyphenols in Triphala.

This well-balanced recipe is excellent for digestion and regularity, and colon detoxification. Triphala is a fruit powder that may be added to water, smoothies, and other beverages.

Bael Leaf is the herb for you if you're looking for a mild herbal laxative that works and is safe for daily and long-term use as and when needed. This herb aids in loosening the stool, acting as a moderate laxative to help in consistency and healthy disposal while preventing occasional constipation.

This is in contrast to senna, a herb often used to induce bowel movements but has several adverse health consequences, including abdominal pain, intense laxative activity, and addiction-forming potential. The preferred herbal medicine to increase gastrointestinal motility is the bael leaf.

Bael Leaf supplements are the best and most convenient way to experience its health benefits, especially when paired with other medicinal herbs that assist digestion and nurture the gut, such as psyllium and garden cress.

Over the past thousand years, turmeric has dominated the field of herbal medicinal therapy. Turmeric, which has a reputation as a "pharmacy in one herb," has long been an essential component of Indian Vedic cultural society.

While it offers a wide range of positive health effects, its capacity to promote a healthy inflammatory response and its favourable impact on gastrointestinal health and function makes it so widely known. The potential of this golden root to promote digestion, respiratory function, liver and pancreas processes, joint health, and other activities has considerably impacted modern medicine.

Turmeric has a striking yellow hue and is typically available in dry powder form to be used in curries. Additionally, the powder may be used in baked goods, lattes, and smoothies. For optimum absorption, natural herbal supplements work well for a therapeutic dose, particularly when paired with trikatu.

Fennel seed, a native of the southern Mediterranean region, has been used throughout ancient, mediaeval, and modern times for both culinary and medicinal application purposes.

Because they believed that it would make them stronger, Roman troops would consume fennel. Fennel has a longstanding history of using traditional Iranian and Ayurvedic medicine to help maintain a healthy digestive system. According to recent findings, phytochemicals, which aid in the breakdown of food so that it can be digested and absorbed, are most likely responsible for gastrointestinal benefits.

Fennel seeds can be added to hot dishes or eaten as a supplement, crushed into hot water, or brewed into tea. A reasonably common habit in India and Italy is chewing whole seeds after meals to aid digestion and maintain fresh breath.

Ginger is another widely used herb for stimulating the digestive system. The cure of sipping ginger ale to settle your stomach has a long history. For over a thousand years, ginger root has been used as a remedy in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

It is also widely used in Japanese and Indian medicine. Shunthi churna uses have been found to have a protective effect on the gastrointestinal tract and a stimulating effect on the digestive system.

For a generally energised and vibrant life, this encourages facilitating healthy excretion while calming and soothing the body. You can conveniently find shunthi churna in any grocery store.

It can be used as a daily supplement capsule, brewed into tea, powdered into smoothies, juiced into concentrates, cooked into curries, or eaten raw when minced with honey. The use of licorice root dates back to ancient Assyrian, Egyptian, Chinese, and Indian cultures. Licorice root is a native of Eurasia.

Licorice root, best known as a flavouring ingredient component, has also been used medicinally for various ailments. Licorice is a common dietary supplement utilised worldwide to assist digestion and calm the stomach. This is because licorice includes a substance known as glycyrrhizin, which helps maintain a healthy inflammatory response and keeps the stomach's acidity levels regulated for comfort and relief.

Those grandmothers who kept licorice on their fingertips at all times were well-versed in digestive herbs and how to improve digestion naturally at home. Due to its similar licorice flavour, most of the licorice offered in stores contain anise oil.

It is ideal to find pure licorice root in a tea, powder, or supplement for its vast therapeutic benefits. Rosemary is an aromatic herb which is quite famous in Italian cuisine. The leaves include therapeutic oils known to assist normal gastrointestinal function and a healthy inflammatory response.

The Mediterranean region used this woody herb in traditional medicine. According to the academic journals of evidence-based complementary alternative medicine, rosemary's pharmacologically established medical benefits comprise anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cognitive support.

Rosemary can be used in cooking, brewed into tea, blended into olive oil, and consumed as a herbal supplement. Native to Europe and the Middle East, peppermint has been used as a folk medicine for indigestion by the ancient Egyptians for a long time.

Additionally, it was noted for its medicinal properties and benefits in the Bible, Roman philosophy, and Greek mythology. Even now, peppermint is used for all purposes relating to digestive support in eastern and western medicine.

Studies indicate that the oils have calming effects that support gastrointestinal function. Herbal medicine is highly effective for addressing digestive issues as herbs contain specific compounds to promote optimal digestion, soothe discomfort and create a balanced gut microbiome.

Marshmallow root, derived from the Althaea officinalis plant, acts as a soothing balm for heartburn. Packed with mucilage a gel-like substance , the root coats the oesophagus and stomach lining, forming a protective barrier against stomach acid. This mucilaginous quality not only eases irritation but also promotes the healing of inflamed tissues.

Marshmallow root also encourages the production of mucin, a natural compound that enhances the protective mucous lining within the digestive tract. As a gentle demulcent, it has been prized for centuries in traditional herbal medicine for its ability to alleviate heartburn discomfort without disrupting the delicate balance of the gut.

Derived from the inner bark of the Ulmus rubra tree, slippery elm is another fantastic mucilage herb that is a botanical powerhouse, renowned for its prebiotic properties. As it travels through the digestive tract, slippery elm forms a protective layer, creating an environment conducive to the flourishing of beneficial microbes.

This mucilaginous quality not only supports the growth of probiotics but also helps soothe inflammation and improve overall digestive health. With its invigorating aroma and soothing properties, peppermint is a digestive powerhouse renowned for its ability to alleviate various gastrointestinal issues.

The active compound in peppermint is menthol which acts as a natural muscle relaxant, particularly in the digestive tract. This relaxant effect helps to ease the passage of food through the stomach and bile ducts, alleviating symptoms of indigestion and promoting smoother digestion.

Peppermint also relieves muscle spasms and reduces inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, making it particularly beneficial for those with irritable bowel syndrome IBS. Often considered a common weed, dandelion root is a gentle yet effective remedy for alleviating constipation.

Rich in compounds like inulin, a soluble fibre that promotes regular bowel movements, dandelion root acts as a natural laxative. It stimulates the digestive system by enhancing the absorption of water in the intestines, thereby softening stools and easing their passing.

Dandelion root supports overall digestive health by stimulating the production of bile which is essential for the breakdown of fats.

Besides being a flavoursome herb to use in cooking, fennel is an excellent natural remedy for bloating and digestive discomfort. Packed with compounds like anethole, fennel contains anti-spasmodic properties that help relax the muscles in the digestive tract, particularly the ones responsible for gas and bloating.

This alleviates bloating by reducing the formation of gas and promoting smoother digestion. Fennel seeds, in particular, are known for their carminative effects, aiding in the expulsion of gas from the digestive system.

Incorporating herbs into your wellness routine offers a natural and holistic approach to alleviate digestive complaints. Herbs like peppermint, fennel, slippery elm, marshmallow root and dandelion root boast properties that can soothe various digestive issues such as bloating, heartburn and constipation.

Their effectiveness lies in their ability to address the root causes of discomfort, promoting digestive ease. Whether sipped as a comforting tea or chewed as seeds, these herbs provide a gentle and sustainable means to support gut health.

Home About Meet the Principal What is Naturopathy? Natural relief for heartburn, bloating and constipation Considering its central role in overall health and well-being, prioritising your gut health is essential. Here are five remarkable herbs to tackle different digestive ailments.

Marshmallow Root for Heartburn Relief Marshmallow root, derived from the Althaea officinalis plant, acts as a soothing balm for heartburn. How to take Marshmallow root: Marshmallow root tea : Steep 1 teaspoon of dried marshmallow root in hot water for minutes.

Strain and drink the tea before or after meals. Marshmallow root powder can be added to smoothies, yoghurt or hot water. As a tincture or capsules : follow the recommended dosage on the supplement packaging or consult with a herbalist for a therapeutic dose. Slippery Elm for Balancing Gut Microbiome Derived from the inner bark of the Ulmus rubra tree, slippery elm is another fantastic mucilage herb that is a botanical powerhouse, renowned for its prebiotic properties.

How to take Slippery elm: Slippery elm powder can be mixed with water to create a soothing drink. Steep one teaspoon of powdered slippery elm bark in hot water for around 5 minutes.

Start with a small amount and gradually increase as needed. Drink plenty of water after consuming the mixture.

Cinnamon, that comforting spice that you know so well, is good for more than just snickerdoodle cookies. Cinnamon has actually been used for its gastrointestinal benefits since BC.

Even the ancient Romans used cinnamon as medicine, specifically for digestive support. Ceylon cinnamon is considered higher quality and more suitable for consistent use than its supermarket counterpart cassia cinnamon.

How to use : Add ceylon cinnamon to your tea , smoothies, lattes or oatmeal for a medicinal touch. Or you can find supplements available online and in your local health food store. When it comes to herbs for digestion, psyllium is definitely among the best.

Psyllium fiber is excellent for simply and conveniently increasing daily fiber consumption. Fiber is known to support gastrointestinal health, healthy elimination and regularity.

This plant, from the plantain family, has been used for thousands of years in Traditional Indian and Chinese Medicine. In Ayurveda, psyllium is used to cleanse and detox the large intestines. According to the U. Library of National Medicine , psyllium may help the intestines absorb liquid for supported elimination of waste.

How to use : Psyllium can be found in supplement and powder form, the latter of which can easily be added to smoothies, juice, oatmeal, or baked into pancakes and other baked goods. Trikatu is a classic blend of not one but three medicinal spices that are known to help support digestion and gastric function.

Trikatu is ginger, long pepper and black pepper, and is used in Ayurveda to stimulate agni, or digestive fire. Ginger is celebrated for its protective effect on the gastrointestinal system; black pepper is found to support nutrient absorption and digestive function; and long pepper has a balancing and detoxifying effect.

Together, they help the body break down food in the stomach and intestines. How to use : Trikatu is typically administered as a capsule, but can also be found as a powder to be mixed with warm water and honey. Triphala is another renowned herbal blend that is one of the oldest in the book.

It combines three fruits to support the GI tract and digestive system. The featured fruits are amla, bibhitaki and haritaki. According to the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine , polyphenols in Triphala modulate the human gut microbiome.

This balanced formula is great all-around for colon cleansing and digestion and can support regularity. How to use : Triphala can be found as a capsule or fruit powder to be added to water, smoothies and more. This herb helps loosen the stool, thereby acting as a mild laxative to prevent occasional constipation and promote regularity and healthy elimination.

This is contract to senna, which is an herb also used as a laxative, but causes a slew of unwanted side effects like stomach discomfort, gastrointestinal pain, and extreme laxative action, not to mention senna is addiction-forming and unsafe for daily use.

Bael leaf is the choice herb in ayurveda to keep things moving through the digestive tract. How to use: The benefits of Bael Leaf are best and most conveniently enjoyed in supplement form , especially when combined with other digestive-supporting and gut-nurturing hers like psyllium and garden cress.

Turmeric has been an herbal medicine champion for nearly 4, years. While it has a robust range of health benefits, it is most known for its ability to support a healthy inflammation response as well as its positive influence on gastrointestinal health and function.

This golden root has made a significant move into modern medicine, with research supporting its ability to support digestion, respiratory function, liver and pancreatic function, joint health and more.

How to use : Turmeric has a vibrant yellow color, and is most commonly found powdered to use in curries. The powder can also be added to smoothies, lattes and baked goods. For a medicinal dose, herbal supplements are best, especially when combined with trikatu for maximum absorption.

Native to the southern Mediterranean, Fennel seed has been used for culinary and medicinal purposes in ancient, medieval and modern times. In fact, Roman soldiers would eat fennel because they believed it would make them stronger.

In Ayurvedic and Traditional Iranian medicine, fennel was long used to support healthy digestion. According to modern research , the gastrointestinal benefits are likely a result of the presence of phytochemicals, which help break down food to be digested and metabolized.

How to use : Fennel seeds can be taken as a supplement, crushed into hot water as a tea or added to hot recipes. Alternatively, the seeds can simply be chewed whole after meals to help stimulate digestion and keep the mouth fresh, as is a very popular practice in India and Italy.

Another universally familiar herb for digestive support is ginger. Remember drinking ginger ale for your stomach? Well, that remedy goes way back minus the sugar. Ginger root has been used medicinally in Traditional Chinese Medicine for more than two millennia, and plays an important role in Japanese and Indian medicine as well.

In studies by the U. National Library of Medicine, ginger has been found to have a protective effect on the GI tract and stimulating effect on the digestive system.

This helps soothe and calm the body, and supports healthy elimination for an all-around energetic and vibrant life. How to use : Conveniently, ginger root can be found in any supermarket usually near the garlic. To call this intestine small is a bit misleading. This vital organ stretches about 22 feet in length and absorbs critical nutrients through the walls of its lengthy and windy canal.

From there, these digested nutrients are absorbed and delivered to the rest of the body via the blood stream. Next stop on the digestion ride? The large intestine , where the final undigested particles are either absorbed or turned into waste to be released through the rectum.

By examining or asking questions about your stool, traditional medicine practitioners can tell if your digestive system and processes of elimination are functioning properly.

Incidentally, this is why consultations involve a lot of talk about number two! During this whole process, accessory organs like the liver, gallbladder and pancreas also work in tandem with the stomach and intestines to facilitate digestion.

Here at Traditional Medicinals, we turn to our herbal allies. There are many different ways to approach digestive dysfunction, depending on the root of the symptom. If occasional nerves are throwing your gut out of whack, we suggest calming nervines like lemon balm and chamomile. If a heavy celebratory meal has led to uncomfortable cramping, ginger is the perfect carminative to warm and soothe digestive spasms and bloating.

Adding these herbal teas to your eating rituals can do wonders for digestive support. Peppermint Mentha x piperita : cool and uplifting, an herbal carminative that alleviates digestive discomfort.

Dandelion Leaf and Root Taraxacum officinale : while the whole plant can be enjoyed as a medicinal tea for its bitter liver supporting properties , its leaves can be enjoyed in salad, pesto, and more. Fennel Foeniculum vulgare : this sweet, soothing tea might not taste like herbal medicine, but each seed contains essential oils rich with anethole and fenchone, known for their capacity to ease bloating and gas.

Ginger Zingiber officinale : a warming carminative traditionally used for motion sickness, stomach upset, and cramping. Lemon Balm Melissa officinalis : used for thousands of years as an aromatic nervine to support digestion and calm frazzled nerves. Slippery Elm Ulmus rubra : while we famously infuse this inner bark into our Throat Coat tea , this demulcent herb soothes gastrointestinal tissues, too.

Calendula Calendula officinalis : herbalists prize this golden flower for lending its bright notes to herbal butters and salads. Traditionally, they use it as a gentle demulcent to moisten and soothe digestive tissue. Erin Masako Wilkins is an Asian American herbalist and acupuncturist.

She has been a practicing herbalist for over a decade specializing in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine. She aims to Tis the season of green! We are proud to announce that we at Traditional Medicinals have joined forces with the Environmental Media Association EMA , using our voices to elevate eco-consciousness Photo taken by Danielle Cohen Meet Rosemary Gladstar, known as the godmother of modern herbalism, she has captivated a global audience with her wealth of knowledge and passion for herbal Meet RAab Stevenson, singer, songwriter, vocal coach, arranger, producer, artist and developer.

Climate change is altering landscapes. Big emotions are often natural reactions to very real challenges. Occasional stress, overwhelm and stretches of melancholy can feel scary.

Practicing good sleep hygiene can help Hey mamas, when was the last time you enjoyed a moment of pause and made a sweet treat just for you? While clear, dewy skin is often a bit of good luck, long-term health is very much dependent on healthy habits. Herbalists use plants inside and out to nourish the skin, Have you ever had an anxious gut feeling about something or felt nervous and experienced butterflies in your stomach?

These sensations emanating from your belly remind us that the brain Our gut works hard for us every minute of every day. When it is functioning properly, we hardly think twice about it.

Updated on October 26, Share: Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Pinterest Pinterest Icon Share via Email Email Icon. So How Does The Digestive System Work? You Might Also Enjoy Shop All. Lemon Balm Tea Lemon Balm calms the nervous system and supports digestion.

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