Herbal Digestive, Herbs That Can Help Boost Your Digestive Health
Healthful Vitality | 09/29/2021 | By NP Contributor | Herbal Digestive
True, digestive health is not just vital to the absorption of nutrition, maintaining optimal body weight and energy supply. Modern studies show that the gut plays a much broader role in well-being. It has is strongly connected with the brain through hormones and nerves, and thus gut influences brain health, mood, and much more. It is quite possible that the higher prevalence of dementia in the western world may have altered gut health.
Just take the example of serotonin, one of the major mood-regulating hormones. The gut produces more than 90% of serotonin. Similarly, the gut has so many neurons that researchers are calling it a second brain.
One of the biggest nerves connecting the brain with the gut has more fibers carrying a signal from the gut to the brain than the other way.
All this means that keeping the gut healthy is critical for the functioning of the body and the brain.
Some of the herbs can help boost digestive health and mood and stay healthy. They work by improving digestion, increasing the production of digestive juices, improving gut microbiota, motility, and much more.
Herbs That Can Help Boost Digestive Health:
Turmeric
The yellow compound curcumin of turmeric is a popular anti-inflammatory health supplement. However, turmeric, when consumed orally, has a potent carminative action (Researchgate, 2021). It helps relieve bloating, prevents overgrowth of microbes, and reduces inflammation. In addition, it has a soothing effect on the gut.
Fennel seeds
Fennel seeds have been a traditional remedy for various gastric issues in different parts of the world. It originated in the Mediterranean and is a favorite spice in various parts of the world. It may help overcome bloating, ease colic, improve appetite (reaearchgate, 2021), and is suitable for liver health, too.
Ginger
The consumption of ginger has risen over the years. It could be one of the safest ways of preventing morning sickness in pregnancy. It has a warming effect on the digestive tract. Moreover, it may help overcome nausea, may help prevent vomiting, suppress microbial growth, improve mood. Indeed, it has a calming effect on the gut.
Caraway seeds
Caraway seeds, it is one of the most potent herbal products for digestive health. It improves the production of gastric and bile juices. It also appears to have anti-obesity action, as it may boost metabolism. In addition, early studies seem to show that it may be beneficial in irritable bowel syndrome. It also possesses antimicrobial properties and is rich in antioxidants.
Garlic
Garlic may help keep blood pressure low and is suitable for heart health. It is also beneficial for gut health as it suppresses microbial growth. In addition, it is abundant in inulin, which is an excellent prebiotic. Thus, it has a beneficial effect on the gut flora.
Peppermint
Peppermint has antispasmodic and cooling properties. Thus, it could be beneficial during bouts of abdominal pain.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek is one of the most potent herbs for lowering blood sugar levels. Many of its benefits in diabetes are due to its effect on digestive health. It is also good for microbiota. It has many beneficial metabolic effects and may help reduce body weight.
To conclude, digestive issues tend to be chronic. Medications may not be the right way to manage various digestive problems. However, including some of these herbs in the diet may help in many cases.
(Also Read: Supplements to Lower Blood Sugar Naturally)