GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS
Gastrointestinal disorders affect the digestion and absorption of nutrients by our digestive tracts. They are most commonly caused by diet factors, stress, viral and bacterial infections, and food allergies.
BENEFICIAL HERBS
- Fennel relieves stomach cramps and gas
- Gingerroot tea helps relieve nausea
- Basil is good for a gassy stomach
- Fennel can relieve gas and cramps
- Chamomile is a popular remedy for indigestion, flatulence, gastrointestinal spasms, and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Papaya tablets, dill or Caraway can help relieve indigestion
- Peppermint and arrowroot will help relieve an upset stomach
- Raspberry-leaf tea, ginger tea, and slippery elm bark, taken in tea or extract form is soothing to the digestive tract.
- Melissa tea and chamomile tea have a calming effect on the body and are both good for indigestion
- Basil is an excellent choice for reducing gas
- Cinnamon works well for gas, diarrhea, and upset stomach. Caution: Do not use a lot of cinnamon during pregnancy
- Catnip tea has antispasmodic properties which can be effective at relieving diarrhea and stomach cramps
- Aloe vera (pure) is known to aid in the healing of stomach disorders, ulcers, and colon problems.
- Alfalfa, wheatgrass, barley, and spirulina all contain chlorophyll and aids in the healing of gastritis and intestinal disorders.
DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS
- BRAT diet is recommended (Bananas for their potassium and energy content, boiled white Rice for it’s low fiber content, Apples for their pectin, dry Toast for it’s low fiber content)
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to replace lost fluid. Drink clear liquids-sip them slowly, taking 2 or 3 ounces at a time. Plain tap water may make an upset stomach feel worse
- Eat less of everything, especially dairy products for the first 48 hours. Eating too much of any food stimulates the stomach to produce more acid, needed for digestion.
- Eat fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, and berries instead of citrus fruits.
- Other foods that can calm an upset stomach include yogurt, buttermilk, bread, tofu (soybean curd), dried beans (white and red), corn in modest amounts, tea, warm and salty bouillon, and Gatorade® .
- The following beverages have the ability to stimulate stomach acid making the stomach upset: beer, wine, milk, coffee (both decaffeinated and caffeinated), tea with caffeine, 7-Up, colas. Worst of all is beer.
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, meat and meat products
In some cases, herbal products can interact negatively with other medications. Such interactions can be dangerous. Herbal remedies are not regulated and their quality is not controlled. Moreover, while there is an abundant supply of information circulating about herbs, not much of it has been scientifically proven. Consult your physician. Informing your doctor and pharmacist of what herbal products you are using is just as important as letting them know what drugs you are taking. Your physician and the pharmacist on duty at your pharmacy can assist you in deciding which herbs
are safe.