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Digestive System

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Digestive System

The digestive system includes the gastrointestinal tract, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. It breaks down food into nutrients such as fats, carbohydrates, and proteins that the body can use. The herbs below are organized by how they are traditionally used to support this system.

Indigestion, Heartburn & Gas

  • Peppermint — Top choice for heartburn. Best taken as a tea.
  • Dill — Excellent as a tea for gas and bloating.
  • Chamomile — Traditionally used for acid reflux and GERD.
  • Lemon Balm — Traditionally used for acid reflux and GERD.
  • Ginger — Carminative properties help ease bloating and gas.

Stomach Cramping

  • Chamomile — Excellent for calming the muscles in the digestive system.
  • Peppermint — Helps to calm muscle spasms in the digestive tract.
  • Basil — Traditionally used to help ease stomach cramping and inhibit harmful bacteria in the digestive tract.
  • Calendula — Helps ease ulcer pain.
  • Dill — Helps ease stomach pain and cramping by relieving bloating and gas.

Nausea

  • Ginger — Top choice for nausea. Best taken as an infusion.

Stomach Pain & Inflammation

  • Chamomile — Traditionally used for stomach pain and irritation.
  • Marsh Mallow — Soothing demulcent for inflamed and irritated digestive tissue.
  • Slippery Elm — Calms gastrointestinal inflammation; traditionally used for ulcer support.

Liver Cleansing

  • Dandelion — Stimulates the liver for toxin removal.
  • Plantain — Traditionally used to support liver health.
  • Milk Thistle — Silymarin is one of the most studied compounds for liver protection and regeneration.
  • Yellow Dock — Traditionally used to support liver and gallbladder function.
  • Artichoke — Promotes bile flow and supports liver health and cleansing.

Antiparasitic

  • Garlic — Traditionally used to support the body during intestinal parasites.
  • Wormwood — Traditionally used as an antiparasitic and digestive bitter.

Diarrhea

  • Calendula — Traditionally used to support digestive comfort and ease diarrhea.
  • Slippery Elm — Soothing and binding; traditionally used for diarrhea.

Appetite Stimulant

  • Angelica — Acts as an appetite stimulant and bitter digestive tonic.
  • Gotu Kola — Traditionally used to stimulate appetite and correct digestive and bowel problems.

Blood Sugar Regulation

  • Cinnamon — Well studied for its ability to mimic insulin and help stabilize blood sugar levels.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are under the care of a health care provider or taking prescription medication, check with your provider before using any herbal supplement.