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Natural Health Centre (Ltd) From a Naturopathic standpoint, the digestive system (including liver, gallbladder and pancreas) is one of the most important systems in the body. It is responsible for the proper break-down and assimilation of nutrients, and for the proper elimination of waste matter and toxins. Inability for the digestive system to break-down and absorb nutrients results in many of todays health issues including: * tiredness/fatigue * weight gain * poor concentration/"foggy" brain * irritability/mood swings * hypo-thyroid (underactive) * unhealthy looking skin, nails, and hair From a Naturopathic standpoint, moving your bowels less than once daily is considered unhealthy. If you are eating 2-3 large meals every day, you ought to be moving your bowels 2-3 times daily. A bowel movement should be of good consistency (not too loose, not too hard), with minimum odour. Gas in the intestines indicates poor break-down of certain foods and nutrients. It may also indicate overgrowth of some bacteria (e.g Candida). Insufficient bowel movements may result in: * build-up of toxins in the body * weight gain * tiredness/fatigue * poor concentration/memory * unhealthy looking skin, nails and hair Herbs have been used for hundreds of years as a tonic to all the organs of elimination. Digestive herbs have a role in strengthening and cleansing the digestive system, thereby increasing the body's ability to break-down and absorb nutrients, as well as supporting proper elimination of waste matter. Digestive herbs can be broken down into three general categories; bitters (stimulate the upper digestion to help break-down and absorb nutrients); bowel tonics (tone the colon and help in elimination of waste matter); and liver tonics (support and cleanse the liver). BITTERS. Because of stress, poor eating habits and over-use of medication, many people have an underfunctioning digestive system. Insufficient production of enzymes, as well as too much or too little hydrochloric acid in the stomach, can contribute to digestive insufficiency. This is where the bitter herbs have a major role. Through their bitterness, they stimulate the body's own enzyme production and regulate hydrochloric acid levels. In order for the these herbs to work efficiently, the following two rules need to be observed: 1. bitters are to be put into a small amount of water and swished in the mouth for a couple of seconds before swallowing. This way, the bitter taste receptors on your tongue will register the bitterness, and send a sign (via the brain) to the stomach, stimulating the release of enzymes and acid (if needed) in preparation for food. 2. bitters are best taken just before a main meal. This way, they have the best supporting effect on the digestive tract. Some of the main bitter herbs available to us (there a many!) include: * gentian * wormwood * centaury * oregon grape * golden seal * scullcap BOWEL TONICS. These herbs have a toning and cleansing effect on the colon, thereby establishing regularity and proper elimination of wastes. If you have less than one very good bowel movement daily, you would benefit from bowel tonics. Bowel tonics include: * yellowdock * burdock * cascara * buckthorn * senna NOTE: Flax seeds have a tonic effect on the bowel also. They tone the intestinal wall, slough off impacted waste matter and promote proper elimination. The recommended dose is 1-2 tablespoons daily, mixed into yogurt, or sprinkled over cereal or fruit. Ensure you drink a large glass of water after eating flax seeds; not enough water may result in decreased elimination. Flax seed oil has the specific action of stimulating peristalsis, the pumping action of the bowel. Peristaltic waves are responsible for moving waste matter through, and out of, the colon. Sluggish peristalsis contributes to inability to eliminate waste matter properly. LIVER TONICS. These herbs support the healthy function of the liver. The liver is one of the hardest working organs in our body, and with today's increase in stress, pollution, poor quality foods, and over-use of medication, our liver needs a little extra support. Some of the many liver herbs available to us include: * dandelion root * burdock * yellow dock * red clover * milk thistle * oregon grape * golden seal Other herbs that stimulate, support and cleanse the digestive system include: * lemon balm * ginger * cayenne * pau'darco I find digestive herbs are more effective in combination, rather than taking a single herb at a time. If you are uncertain about any of these, or other, herbs, please consult with a qualified Naturopath or Herbalist. Herbal Tonics Now Available!! Back to Herbs Back to Home Page |