BENEFICIAL HERBS FOR DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS/DISEASES - Natural Intestinal Support & Relief

Man it's early!  I'm as awake  as the birds outside. 

So, what I have been doing for the past half hour or so, is looking up the ingredients in this intestinal support formula that I purchased.  I know what the benefits of some of the ingredients are, but clueless about at least 4-5 ingredients that the label lists (most of the contents that make me say "huh! never heard of that before" are mostly herbal ingredients that impel me to do research). A lot of the herbs that provide digestive system support, strength, protection, Intestinal pain/discomfort relief, ect., you will find below.  

This provides me and you with an easy source of reference for beneficial medicinal herbs for GI problems 

(As I read and discover more, I will add them to the list,  FEEL FREE TO ADD SOME TOO!  If you know of any helpful herbal treatments off the top of your head, add the info in the comment section and i'll add the info to the actual posting (Yes, of course stating that you are the contributor).

PLEASE NOTE:  Always contact your physician before adding any herbal remedy to your existing medication regime.  I have provided only a basic summary about each herb and it's beneficial effects on the digestive system.  When considering any alternative therapy (or conventional therapy for that matter) it's your responsibility to obtain knowledge and to educate yourself for your own safety.  Likewise, using that knowledge to choose the medication that would be the safest and most helpful to your disease (For both herbal/alternative or traditional medicine - Do your part - Research.  It Matters.

Here's the list so far... Check it out & hope it's helpful

Beneficial Herbs For Gastrointestinal Problems

Aloe Vera tea can help you fight digestive problems, such as ulcers. I also have ulcerative colitis and I've been applying Aloe Vera gel internally and it has been working for me. Aloe Vera tea regulates digestion, wards off fungal activity in the stomach and it also comes as a great ally to fight constipation.It is worth giving it a try. - Mafalda

Cat's Claw Traditionally cat's claw has been used as a homeopathic treatment for intestinal ailments such as:colitis, crohn's disease, gastric ulcers and tumors, parasites, gastritis, diverticulitis and leaky bowel syndrome. By stimulating the immune system, it can also improve response to viral and respiratory infection

It is also used to treat & prevent the symptoms of arthritis and rheumatism, PMS, as well as diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, lupus, and prostrate conditions.

Presently, researchers recommend cat's claw to treat inflammatory problems such as arthritis, viral diseases ( HIV/AIDS), gastrointestinal illnesses( Crohn's disease, ulcers) and certain cancers.

Scientific studies reported that human volunteers who took cat's claw herb for eight weeks had improved DNA .Cat's claw herb exert is valuable on memory impairment induced by the dysfunction of cholinergic systems in the brain .

Cat's Claw is used for the treatment of followings disorders:

• Diverticulitis.
• Leaky bowel syndrome.
• Colitis.
• Hemorrhoids.
• Fistulas.
• Gastritis.
• Ulcers.
• Parasites.
• Intestinal flora imbalance.
• Environmental toxic poisoning.
• Organic depression.

Marshmallow Marshmallow contains anti-inflammatory effect, Marshmallow is very good for problems with the urinary system, including .cystitis, urethritis, urinary gravel and calculus. 

Marshmallows leaf if used internally cure the irritation of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa and associated dry cough.

• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Common cold/sore throat
• Cough
• Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
• Stomach ulcers
• Weight loss aid (marshmallow swells with fluid and gives a sense of fullness)
• Wound healin

Slippery elm contains mucilage, a long chain of polysaccharides that make a slippery substance when added with water. This mucilage is believed to ebb the digestive system. Slippery elm is also a excellent food supplement and is easy to digest, making it an good food during times of digestive discomfort & used as a gruel for infants, invalids and peoples with intestinal inflammation. Slippery elm also has astringent property, tightening the areas on which it contacts, acting an effective resistance to bacterial infection and alleviating diarrhoea.

-Externally Slippery Elm makes a wonderful medical dressing , applied locally,for taking out toxins, especially those areas which are associated with boils, spots or abscesses and can assist the removal of splinters.when applied to wounds, burns and inflammation of any kind show good results .Slippery Elm will help to reduce, heal and ebb swelling and pain.

-Internally Slippery Elm can be taken to cure many different types of digestive problems, for example:Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) ,Inflammation of the gut or colic , Colitis and diverticulitis, give an instant relief to acid indigestion or 'reflux' ,ulcers anywhere in the gut (stomach & intestines), if mixed with a banana and powdered Marshmallow .In diarrhoea,Slippery Elm mixed with a banana and powdered Marshmallow give good results. 

White Oak is taken for diarrhea & inflammation of the oral and genital areas.

White Oak is helpful in chronic diarrhoea & dysentery, either alone or in addition with aromatics.

liquorice root is very effective in cough , mouth ulcers,peptic ulcers and has been used for this purpose since ancient times, especially in ayurvedic medicine where it is also used in tooth powders . Modern cough syrups often include liquorice extract as an ingredient. Naturopathic medicinal uses include treatment of peptic, oral ulcers, hypoglycemia, diabetes and Addison's disease, which is a malfunction of the adrenal glands.

Used in following Symptom:

• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Bladder
• Constipation
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Intestinal Inflammation
• Kidney Problems
• Liver Problems
• Sore Throat
• Spasms
• Ulcers
• Edema (peripheral, pulmonary), secondary to increased extra cellular fluid from water retention
• Hypertension
• Spasms/tetany
• Hyporeflexia, muscle wasting, weakness, flaccid paralysis
• Myoglobinuria/rhabdomyolysis
• Trousseau and Chvostek signs (from hypokalemia with alkalosis)
• Cardiac arrest, dysrhythmias (rare)
• Rales

Licorice used to strengthen and balance the female reproductive system. Some compounds found in licorice are thought to help the adrenal glands function more smoothly in conditions of stress and exhaustion. The adrenal glands are responsible for hormones that keep the body systems balanced.It is also used as an emulsifier to create foam in drinks and alcoholic beverages.

Yarrow in present times is used for the common cold & fevers. It is also beneficial for amenorrhoea, hypertension, dysentary and diarrhoea. Yarrow helps externally and internally to regulate the menstrual cycle, reduces heavy bleeding and ebb menstrual pain.It is valuable for nosebleeds.Take two to four droppers of tincture as a remedy. Yarrow is used for the mucous membranes and has a reliving effect on the digestive system.

Use leaves, stems and flowers of white & red flowered yarrow facilitate blood clotting.As an infusion can help to break a fever .A tea can be used to fight colds and flu made from yarrow with peppermint & elderflower .Yarrow can be used in mild cystitis.It helps to lower high blood pressure. Acting as a vasodilator it improves blood circulation.It is helpful to promotes digestion.

Yarrow's flavenoid compounds contain salycilic acid derivatives & antispasmodic action,make it useful remedy to treating pain .Yarrow is use for various disorders such as menstrual irregularities,menstrual cramps and pain, wound healing,inflammation ,muscle spasms,reduce high fevers,soothing external rashes, skin ulcers, hemorrhoids,liver and gallbladder conditions

Properties

• Antipyretic.
• Hypotensive.
• Astringent.
• Diuretic.
• Urinary antiseptic.
• Stops internal bleeding.
• Promotes menstruation.
• Anti-inflammatory.
• Diaphoretic.
• Peripheral vasodilator.
• Haemostatic.
• Spasmolytic.
• Aromatic bitter.
• Digestive stimulant.
• Emmenagogue.
• Restorative.
• Anti-allergenic.
• Antispasmodic.

Chamomilla  are widely used to alleviate morning sickness, mastitis, menopausal symptoms, dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea with a psychological component & hysteria .Internally it is used to treat to treat inflammation & spasms of the digestive tract. As a mouth rinse, it's taken for sore gums and oral inflammation.  

As a remedy chamomile is used for various disorders such as Bronchitis ,Colds ,Cough ,Fever, Skin inflammation ,Sore throat ,Tendency to infection ,Wounds and burns . Chamomile is use to ebb & relaxes at bedtime,relieves restlessness, teething problems, and colic in children,relieves allergies, relieves morning sickness during pregnancy,speeds healing of skin ulcers, wounds, or burns,treats gastritis and ulcerative colitis.

Products made from chamomile are widely used as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antispasmodic, and sedative property.Its extracts are used to ease pain and irritation, clean wounds and ulcers, and aid irradiated skin injuries, as well as cure cystitis & dental afflictions . The tea has anti-inflammatory actions,beneficial for rheumatism, arthritis, and other painful swellings.

Scientist recommended chamomile as medicine or therapy to treat various problems such as allergies, arthritis, boils, colic, cuts, cystitis, dermatitis, dysmenorrhea, earache, flatulence, hair, headache, inflamed skin, insect bites, insomnia, nausea, neuralgia, PMS, rheumatism, sores, sprains, strains, stress, wounds,acne ,blisters ,depression ,digestive problems ,gout ,indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome ,nervous tension, eczema & psoriasis

• Analgesic.
• Antibacterial.
• Antiseptic.
• Digestive Stimulant.
• Anti-inflammatory.
• Sspasmolytic.
• Vulnerary.
• Antimicrobial.
• Mild sedative.
• Carminative.
• Anticatarrhal.

Turmeric Evidence that turmeric is an effective treatment for Crohn's disease is limited. However, the results of a study by J. Epstein and colleagues published in the March 2010 issue of the "British Journal of Nutrition," show that curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, suppresses the expression of inflammatory mediators in children and adults with inflammatory bowel disease. The authors therefore conclude that this compound may hold promise as a novel therapy for inflammatory bowel disease. Research published in the December 2004 issue of the "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine" also found that turmeric may help to reduce symptoms of irritable bowel diseases.

Boswellia Evidence that boswellia is an effective treatment for Crohn's disease is mixed. The results of a clinical trial by H. Gerhardt and colleagues published in the January 2001 issue of "Zeitschrift Gastroenterologie" show that boswellia extract displayed similar efficacy to mesalazine, a commonly used drug for inflammatory bowel diseases. The authors conclude that, considering both safety and efficacy, boswellia is superior to mesalazine in terms of risk versus benefit. In contrast, the results of a trial by W. Holtmeier and colleagues published in the February 2011 issue of "Inflammatory Bowel Disease" show that, although well-tolerated, boswellia is not an effective treatment for Crohn's disease.  (I use this and I have found it helpful... & it's safe)

Peppermint/Lavender/Chamomile Combo/Intesol An enteric-coated peppermint/lavender/chamomile combination (sold under the name Intesol) has been shown to provide relief of gastrointestinal disturbances through antispasmodic and carminative (relieving flatulence/gas) effects. This combination helps to relax the intestinal smooth muscle and support healthy colonic motility. Enteric-coated capsules allow targeted delivery of the active ingredients to the intestines (where the pain and cramping are located), not the stomach, for maximum effectiveness. (NOTE: Uncoated peppermint oil ingested orally has an undesirable side effect of relaxing the Gastroesophageal sphincter that allows food to enter from the esophagus to the stomach during digestion. Relaxation of this sphincter causes backflow of food and acid from the stomach into the esophagus, a condition called Gastroesophageal reflux disorder or GERD. The enteric coating on this combination prevents this side effect.)

Fennel seed fights gas, cramps, and acid indigestion, and eases spasms in the intestinal tract.  Fennel is also said to act as a carminative, meaning it helps your body expel gas and sooth indigestion.

Lemon balm is a member of the mint family.  It is often mixed with other herbs to help promote relaxation. Evidence suggests that lemon balm can help treat indigestion, but its stress-soothing qualities alone can often be useful for this purpose.

Ginger  has long been used as a medicine in Asian, Indian, Chinese, and Arabic herbal traditions.  Health care professionals still recommend ginger to help prevent or treat nausea and vomiting. It is also used as a digestive aid for mild stomach upset.

         Artichoke Leaf In traditional European medicine, the leaves of the artichoke plant (not the leaves of the bud, which is the part you normally eat) were used as a diuretic to stimulate the flow of bile from the liver and gallbladder.  A large study designed to evaluate artichoke leaf as a treatment for dyspepsia found that it was significantly more effective than a placebo.

        Cayenne Oral use of cayenne reduces discomfort in your stomach, and can help alleviate pain, bloating, and nausea. 

REFERENCE PAGES

http://www.health-care-tips.org/herbal-medicines,  

http://www.livestrong.com/article/356932-turmeric-crohns/#ixzz1R2ngwYMj, http://www.livestrong.com/article/366719-boswellia-for-crohns-disease/#ixzz1R2oVur9V

http://www.naturalpathhealthcenter.com

http://blogs.mercola.com