Herbs To Support Digestive System
German Chamomile
Anti inflammatory, anti histamine, antisepamodic, anti ulcer, bitter, carminative, digestive anxiolytics nerving, sedative, vulnerary, diaporetic anti-microbial
Used in this system as: A soothing, cooling, anti-spasmodic healing herb with an affinity for conditiona of the digestive system that are trigged or worsened by stress. It has been used for digestive upsets, infections of the digestive system, IBS, wind and colic, indigestion and heartburn, nausea and vomiting and for ulcerations. Also helps headaches, calming nervous system, helps respiratory infectionss.
Dose: Two teaspoons of the dried herb per cup of boiled water for an infusion, to be taken up to 3 times a day. 1-4 ml of a 1:5 tincture up to three times a day.
Meadowsweet
Analgesic, antacid, antiemetic, anti inflammatory, anti ulcer, astringent, carminative, stomachic, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, anti rheumatic, urinary antiseptic, diuretic and calming.
Used in this system as: a balancing antacid which I’ll normalcies acid picturing in the stomach. It calms and soothes the digestive tract, easing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. A gentle remedy for children’s digestive issues. It has been shown to promote the healing of ulcers and other damage to the digestive mucus. Addressing joint conditions such as arthritis and rheumatism where it can ease pain and swelling and promotes the healing of connective tissue. It can be used in minor urinalysis tract infections to soothe, heal, disinfect and flush out the bladder. It’s an appreciable pain killer for many courses of pain including musculoskeletal pain, uterine pain and headache. Some consider it calming to the nervous system and therefor can be used in the same way as German Chamomile.
Dose: one to two tsp of the dried herb per cup of boiling water for an infusion, taken up to three times a day. 2-4 ml of the 1:5 tincture taken up to 3 times a day.
DO NOT USE IN THOSE WITH A SENSITIVITY TO ASPRIN. MAY INERACT WITH ANTICOAGULANTS
Dandelion Root
Gentle laxative, digestive, cholagogue, hepatic, bitter tonic, depurative, antirheumatic anti inflammatory
Used in this system as:
A gentle laxative for short term and especially chronic constipation, which works by stimulation the production and flow of bile. it is a bitter and therefor primes the digestive system, promoting the release of digestive secretions and aiding a weak digestive process. It may help nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and when caused by poor fat digestion or overindulgence. It helps the liver, therefore supports elimination and detoxification. Helping the body deal with hormones following pregnancy. Used as a bitter tonic on skin condition including acne and boils. To help conditions such as rheumatism by supporting the eliintory organs of the body and by reducing inflammation.
Dose: 2-3 tsp of dried root per cup, boiled to make a decoration and taken up to 3 times a day. Up to 5ml of a 1:5 tincture taken up to three times a day.
DO NOT USE IN CASES OF OBSTRUCTED GALLBLADDER OR BILE DUCTS.
Yellow or Curly Dock
Laxative, diuretic, astringent, bitter, cholagogue, hepatic, alternative, depurative, tonic
Used in this system as: a stimulation laxative for short term and chronic constipation, with a more balanced action than other potent anthraquinone laxative herbs. Such is its balanced action it can even be used to manage diarrhea. It’s bitters can stimulate sluggish digestion and its hepatic actions mean herbatlists use it to support the liver when it is struggling or diseased. Conditions where the body benefits from an increased removal of toxins via the eliminators organs- hence tits use in headache, skin conditions and arthritis and rheumatism. Herbalists may use it in cases of anemia, not just for its iron content but because its bitterness promotes goof digestion and absorption, thus helping the body obtain and use dietary iron.
Dose: 1-2 tsp of the dried root per cup of water to be boiled for a decoration which may be taken up to 3 times a day. 1-2 ml of the 1:5 tincture taken up to 3 times a day.
FRESH ROOT MAY CAUSE VOMITING. THE PLANT CAUSES DERATITIS IN SOME. DO NOT EXCEED RECOMMEND DOSE AS THIS CAN UPSET THE DIGESTIVE SYSEM.
Agrimony:
Astringent, digestive, cholagogue, hepatic, carminative, antispasmodic, diaporetic, emmenagogue, vulnerary and calming
Used in this system as: an aromatic bitter remedy that soothes the gut and relives pain, wind and spasms, whilst also promoting optimal digestion through its bitterness. A tonic for the digestive system, helping it to recover from inflammation or infection. A superb remedy for childhood diarrhea and stomach bugs, whilst in adulthood it can be very useful for IBS and nervous indigestion and stress-related digestive issues. Sapaoci coughs in the respiratory system and spasmodic pain and cramping in the genitourinary system.
Dose: 1-2 tsp of the dried herb per cup of boiled water to make an infusion which up to 3 times a day. 1-4 ml of the 1:5 ml tincture up to 3 times a day.
MAY INTERACT WITH BLOOD THINNER, DIABETIC MEDICATION AND MEDICATION USED TO LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE
Peppermint:
Antiemetic,antispasmodic, digestive, carminatie, anti imflammatory, diaphoretic, decongestant, antimicrobial, circulatory stimulant, analgesic, nerving.
Used in this system as: a superb agent for easing spasm in conditions like IBS and other spasmodic continents of the gut. it eases pain and bloating in conditions like indigestion, heartburn, colic, flatulence and constipation. It helps ease nausea and vomiting from various sources. It helps protect, soothe and encourage the repair of the digestive system thanks to its tannins and the anti-inflammatory actions. It’s nerving actions make it applicable for digestive issues with a link to tension, stress or anxiety. Also used for colds, flu and multitude of other viral infections where it help to manage fevers, ease pain and alleviate congestion, nausea and vomiting. The diluted essential oil of the plant is also used by herbalists and makes a useful application for headaches, musculoskeletal and uterine issues were there is tension, spasm and pain. it penetrating aromatic nature helps to focus the mind and clear “brain fog” when people are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, thus improves focus.
Dose: 1 tsp of the dried herb per cup of boiled water to make an infusion, whic cab be taken up 3 times a day. 1-2 ml of the 1:5 tincture up to 3 times a day.
CONTRAINDICATED FOR BABIES AND YOUNG CHILDREN (ESSENTIAL OIL AND HERB). CONSULT WITH DOCTOR BEFORE USING IN PREGNANCY.
Dill:
Carminative, digestive, galactagogue, antispasmodic
Used in this system as: a very useful aromatic carminative to ease wind, pain, spam and colic in infants, children and adults alike. Often the first herb a herbalist will turn to in such cases as its so effective. The digestive benefits can be passed on to a breastfeeding infant through a mothers milk – so she can drink an infusion to treat her baby.
Also used for encouraging the flow of milk in breastfeeding mothers. It can soothe and moisten a rly, spasmodic cough. Some herbalists find that it has a similar effect on the nervous system to German chamomile, helping to calm and soothe fretful infants and children and encouraging sleep.
Dose: 1-2 tsp of the dried seed, crushed, per cup of boiled water to make an infusion, taken up to 3 times a day. 2-4 ml of 1:5 tincture taken up to 3 times a day.
SOME PEOPLE HAVE PHOTOPIC REACTION AFTER HANDLING THE FRESH PLANT
Ginger:
Anti emetic, antispasmodic, carminative, digestive, diaphoretic, circulatory stimulant, anti inflammatory, analgesic, expectorant, immune system tonic, antimicrobial, emmenagogue
Used in this system as: a warming, aromatic digestive which calms the system, easing pain, nausea, vomiting, groping, wind and bloating. It can, therefore, be used in cases of diarrhea, IBS, during and after upset stomach and stomach bugs. It promotes appetite and encourages normal digestion. It is one of our best known herbal anti emetics, showing itself beneficial in nausea and vomiting use to motion sickness, morning sickness and post operative nausea and vomiting too. Also used for stimulating the circulatory system, helping those with poor circulation and issues such as chilblains and Raynaud’s. It’s a wonderful warming aromatic for using during coughs and colds, helping the body to bring up music, while easing spasm (this is why we use it in our Cough and Congestion Tincture). Very good for managing a fever when you cant move past the “chilled phase (why we use it in our Fever, Cold and Flu Tincture). It’s impressive antimicrobial nature makes it applicable across a variety of infection. Its an effective anti-inflammatory and can be used for inflammation across the body, including in the joints. It can help promote men’s traction when this is delayed or scanty and its warming, analgesic nature makes it useful both internally and externally for period pains.
Dose: 1-2 tsp of fresh ginger, or one of dried per cup of boiled water to make and infusion , taken up to 3 times a day. 1-3 ml of a 1:5 tincture taken up to 3 times a day.
CONTRAINDICATIONS ALONGSIDE ANTICOAGULANTS. AVOID WHEN THERE IS ULCERATION IN THE DIGESTIVE TRACT AND IF GALLSTONES ARE PRESENT. SOME FIND GINGER VERY STIMULATIONS AND MAY REQUIRE LOWER DOSAGE
Oak
Astringent, amtseptic, anti-inflammatory
Used in this system as: a powerful astringent for diarrhea, used with a very light touch and for serve cases of diarrhea only. Here it can be very effective. Also used for soothing inflammation in cases of tonsillitis, pharyngitis and laryngitis and mouth or gum infections.
Dose: 1 tsp of the dried bark boiled in one cup of water and this can be gargles, or, for diarrhea, this can be drunk a few mouthfuls at a time, taking no more than three capfuls worth a day. 1 ml of the 1:5 tincture up to three times a day
A VERY POWERFUL ASTRINGENT WHICH SHOULD THEREFORE NOT BE TAKEN SHORTLY BEFORE PRESCRIBED MEDICATION. TOO HGIH A DOSE MAY LEAVE PEOPLE FEELING NAUSEOUS AND PROLONGED USE WILL CONSTIPATE
Milk Thistle
Hepatoprtective, hepatic, anti-imflammatory, cholagogue, bitter tonic, digestive, astringent, demulcent, galactogogue, diuretic, diaphoretic
Used in this system as: an extraordinary agent for protection the liver from disease, the damaging effects of alcohol and drugs, toxins and poisoning, working by making liver cells more resilient. It than stimulates the repair of hepatocytes. It’s also used in gallbladder issues. Traditionally it has been used as a liver tonic, helping to support the digestive system as a whole. It’s an excellent herb to use when someone has difficulties digesting fats. Also used for encouraging milk production and flow in breastfeeding mothers. Thanks to the livers rol in detoxification, this herb is employed for skin conditions where a “toxic” element was traditionally implicated eg ance, boils and psoriasis. It’s a good anti-inflammatory and can be used for inflammation across the body. Its used by some herbalists to mange candida because they consider it a beneficial agent for the gut flora.
Dose: this is one of the herbs where its wise to use a standardized extract to ensure good therapeutic dose of the liver-active active sensitive to. A dose of 600 mg per day of an extract standardized to 80 per cent silymarin can be used therapeutically to address the sort of issued mentioned above. For long term, liver protections action, a dose of 175 mg is suggested. If you wish to use the dried seed instead you’re required around 15 grams of the seed per day to achieve the therapeutic dose of silymarin