Herbal Remedies. Digestive System

Blue indicates link

This article is meant as a basic guide to alternative herbal remedies for digestive system problems. Please remember a lot of diseases start in your digestive system. You should not take anything for granted.

Please consult with your doctor if you have any persistent digestive system problems.

The food and liquids we ingest do not always agree with our digestive system. Most digestive problems cause pain and in some cases can damage the body, such as acid reflux which can damage the esophagus. This occurs because the backwash of foods is mixed with digestive fluids which are used by the body to break down food. Type 2 diabetes has been included in this digestive segment as it is caused by a lack of natural insulin which is normally produced in the pancreas. It can also arise when the body becomes resistant to the insulin produced.

Acid reflux

When you sleep with one pillow under the head, the stomach is either lined up with or slightly higher than the head. This allows for stomach fluids to backwash into the throat and mouth due to gravity. This can be extremely dangerous as a small amount of this fluid can end up in the throat and lungs, causing severe choking.

There will be an extreme burning sensation in the throat and you must clear the material and then dilute what remains in the throat, by slowly sipping water. To avoid the backwash from the stomach, you can purchase foam wedges to use instead of stacking pillows. Avoid stacking pillows because this will cause neck pain, while a foam wedge gives your upper back and neck, gentle support.

Ginger is used for upset stomachs and nausea. It can also be used for acid reflux issues, instead of using an over-the-counter pharmaceutical. Use a 2-inch piece of ginger root finely chopped. Add it to a pot of boiling water and then reduce the heat to low for five minutes. Remove the pot from the stove and let it cool to a drinking temperature before straining it. Add honey to taste.

The ancient Egyptians knew the value of aloe vera. Yes, it is used in skin treatments, but the juice of the aloe vera plant can help with acid reflux and assist with proper digestion of the food you consume. To treat acid reflux, use a good pure organic aloe vera juice which can be found in your local health food store or Amazon as examples.

Make sure to check the labels for how the juice has been processed. Look for “flash pasteurization,” which means it has not been subjected to extreme heat, reducing how effective it will be.

The Digestive System

Indigestion

Try to determine what caused the ingestion for starters. If you think that you ate too much acidic food, then baking soda is a go-to solution. Dissolve some in a glass of warm water and add a couple of drops of lemon as a precaution. The lemon is slightly acidic but it still needs to be added as baking soda can be disruptive and the lemon drops will fix that.

Head to the health food store and ask for DGL licorice. This comes in tablet form and you need 1-3 tablets to work on coating the inside of your stomach lining. DGL licorice is recommended for any type of stomach issue, including those who suffer from acid reflux.

Type 2 Diabetes

Using a natural method to combat diabetes is desirable, as this disease requires two to three types of pills to keep it under control. And it is possible that after a number of years, you may have to incorporate a needle once a day, to cut down on the dosage of pills and the damage that can occur to some organs with prolonged use.

That would of course be up to your doctor. The best thing to do once you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, is to have a long conversation with your doctor. It is important to ask if using some natural solutions may prevent you from having to start on the pills used to combat these diseases or allow you to use a combination of both.

Studies have been done on the idea of using American ginseng to reduce blood sugar levels. This particular ginseng has shown better results than ginseng from other parts of the world. Within the ginseng are compounds called ginsenosides. These compounds go to work on reducing the amount of inflammation and oxidative stress found within the body.

Cinnamon is tasty but most people consume it with sugar, as in cinnamon buns and cinnamon/sugar on toast. It is healthier all around to consume it without sugar, either ground up or in stick form. In addition to reducing glucose levels in the body, cinnamon will work on dropping triglycerides, lipoprotein, and cholesterol levels.

The most exciting news is that studies have shown consistent cinnamon use will help with weight loss and insulin control within the body. Cinnamon can be used in the same way as turmeric, which is another health-benefit spice. Just add between around ½ to ¾ of a tablespoon, to your soups, stews, and even your meatloaf…just for starters.

Constipation

This issue affects many people even when they are young. The elderly tend to suffer from it frequently and studies suggest that one cause may be the lack of hydration as the elderly slow down and are not active enough. Not being active means less water intake as the elderly may not feel thirsty, so they do not hydrate like a middle-aged person out playing tennis.

Drinking enough water is an issue many people face. While doing sports, they may consume water due to thirst, yet ignore the rest of the day. Having a glass of warm water upon waking will help not only with constipation but overall health.

Water consumption should be throughout the day and evening, rather than blasting down 2 liters of water at once. Drinking a large glass of water before dinner, will not only help with the digestive system but also fill you up, so you eat less food, helping you with weight loss issues.

Constipation issues are more than the inability to eliminate waste daily. It is often accompanied by bloating, pain, and excessive gas. While fiber is good for constipation, overdoing it can make the issue worse. Try small amounts of added fiber and then increase as necessary. Once you find the right balance, your constipation issues will lessen.

If this solution does not help, try a herbal supplement that you can use daily. Triphala is a special blend of 3 herbs, first used in the Ayurveda health systems centuries ago. The special combination of herbs works to keep you regular, without causing harm to your digestive system. You can purchase Triphala at your local health food store.

Using prunes on a frequent basis will give you the fiber you need. While most people believe this is why prunes are so effective, the real reason is that they contain a natural laxative called sorbitol. The most common consumption of prunes is the dried variety. Prune juice works, however as with any product, you need to check the label for added sugar or any preservatives. To combat constipation and the issues it brings, eat between 5-7 prunes per day as needed.

Please always consult with a doctor if you suffer from any of these symptoms, especially if they happen on a regular. The digestive system could be warning you of other health problems.

Thank you for reading

Michael

Comments are welcome