Read The Everything Guide to Herbal Remedies Online
Authors: Martha Schindler Connors
The Everything Guide to Herbal Remedies (22 page)
Aside from the social embarrassment, gas can cause abdominal pain when it gets out of hand. Frequent or severe episodes warrant a visit to the doctor, as they can be the sign of a more serious problem.
Herbal remedies for gas include:
| • Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) | Alfalfa contains chlorophyll, which is the green ingredient in many herbs and some types of algae. Taking supplemental chlorophyll—and its derivative, chlorophyllin—has been shown to reduce gas (and its odor). |
| • Caraway (Carum carvi) | Caraway contains carminative (antigas) and antispasmodic constituents. Research shows that it can relieve gas and stomach upset. |
| • Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) | A classic digestive aid throughout the Mediterranean, fennel seeds and extracts can relax the smooth muscles in the GI tract and expel gas. |
Constipation is defined as having infrequent or difficult bowel movements or passing hard or dry stools. “Infrequent” generally means fewer than three in a week, although some people regularly have two or three a day and others can go two or three days without one.
People who frequently use conventional chemical laxatives are prone to lazy bowel syndrome, a condition in which the digestive system has essentially become addicted to the drugs—and can’t function properly without them. Overuse of laxatives can also damage your GI tract and interfere with your body’s ability to absorb the nutrients in your food.
Constipation is most often tied to intestinal slowdown, in which the undigested food is moving too slowly through the large intestine. This can be caused by diet (inadequate fluid or fiber intake) as well as lifestyle factors like physical inactivity. Stress and traveling can trigger it, as can many prescription drugs. Pregnant women and people over sixty-five, especially those with physical limitations, are more susceptible.
Most of the time, you can resolve a case of constipation with a few tweaks to your diet or a dose or two of a laxative (either conventional or herbal). But if your condition persists or you experience other symptoms, see your doctor. Unresolved constipation can lead to complications like hemorrhoids or anal tears (called
abrasions
or
fissures).
In extreme cases, you could develop impaction, in which a mass of stool obstructs the colon or rectum. Constipation can also by a symptom of a more serious condition (see below).
In conventional medicine, constipation is generally treated with laxatives, which fall into one of three categories:
• Stool softeners
include mineral oil and medications containing docusate (Colace) or magnesium hydroxide (Philip’s Milk of Magnesia), plus suppositories made with glycerine (Fleet Glycerin Suppositories).
• Bulk-forming laxatives
create a more solid mass to keep things moving smoothly; they include methylcellulose (Citrucel, Docucal) and psyllium (Metamucil). Stool softeners and bulk-forming laxatives are generally free of side effects, but can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea in some people.
• Stimulant (chemical) laxatives
trigger movement in the smooth muscles and induce secretion of fluids from the mucous membranes in the large intestine. They include polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX) and bisacodyl (Dulcolax, Correctol). Stimulant laxatives can cause cramping, lightheadedness, diarrhea, and rebound constipation.
Herbalism has its own constipation cures:
| • Flax (Linum usitatissimum) | Flaxseed is high in fiber (both the soluble and insoluble kind) and mucilage, which is a goopy substance known for its ability to sooth mucous membranes. Flaxseed works as an effective (and side effect-free) constipation remedy. |
| • Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) | Fenugreek also contains lots of fiber, including pectin, a type of insoluble fiber that’s gelatinous when saturated with water (it’s the ingredient in jelly that makes it gel). |
| • Olive (Olea europa) | Olive oil acts as a gentle stool softener and laxative. |
| • Psyllium (Plantago ovata, P. psyllium) | Both the blond and black varieties are tried-and-true constipation remedies ( P. ovata is the key ingredient in Metamucil). Research shows that psyllium is as effective as many harsh chemical laxatives. |
Like constipation, diarrhea is something everyone has experienced: loose, watery, voluminous stools, accompanied by abdominal cramping, and frequent trips to the bathroom. Diarrhea is usually acute, lasting only a few days, but in some cases can become chronic, lasting more than a few weeks and possibly signifying a more serious condition. Persistent diarrhea can also lead to dehydration and loss of important minerals (such as salt).
When your digestive system is running smoothly, the food you’ve consumed travels through the GI tract as a liquid, until it hits the colon, where most of the liquid is absorbed (leaving behind a semi-solid waste). But if something happens to make the food pass too quickly through the colon (or to hinder the colon’s ability to remove the liquid), you’ll have watery bowel movements.
Acute diarrhea caused by infection is called
gastroenteritis,
which quite often is a type of foodborne illness (a.k.a. “food poisoning”) that can usually be traced to a virus. It can also be caused by some diseases (including AIDS), exposure to toxins, and by taking certain medications—most often antibiotics, which destroy both beneficial and pathogenic bacteria in your digestive tract and can set the stage for infection. Blood pressure drugs and antacid medications containing magnesium can also trigger diarrhea.
Many people have food intolerances and sensitivities that bring on an acute bout of diarrhea whenever the offending food is consumed. Some of the most common examples are lactose (in milk and other dairy products), fructose (a type of sugar), and artificial sweeteners.
Chronic diarrhea, on the other hand, can be a sign of a serious condition. See a doctor if your diarrhea lasts longer than three days or if you become dehydrated (you’re feeling lightheaded and are passing dark urine), are running a fever that’s higher than 102°F, have bloody or black stools, or are in severe pain.
Conventional medical practitioners typically recommend OTC antidiarrheal medications such as loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol). Loperamide slows the transit of fluids through your GI tract, and bismuth subsalicylate balances the fluids in your intestinal tract. If your diarrhea is being caused by an infection, a doctor might prescribe antibiotics as well.
Pectin, a type of water-soluble fiber found in many fruits, vegetables, and herbs, can be used as a stand-alone treatment for diarrhea (it seems to increase the absorption of salt and water in the GI tract). To get it as nature intended, eat lots of apples
(Malus domestica).
Loperamide can cause constipation and cramping. Bismuth subsalicylate can interact with other drugs and turn your tongue (and stools) temporarily black. Here are some herbal alternatives:
| • Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) | Barberry is a traditional herbal remedy for diarrhea and other digestive problems. It contains a chemical called berberine, which has proven anti- spasmodic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory power. |
| • Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum, C. aromaticum) | Cinnamon can be used to treat diarrhea and other types of GI distress. It contains chemicals and essential oils that have been proven to relieve diarrhea, gas, and bloating. |
| • Ginger (Zingiber officinale) | This is a classic remedy for diarrhea that’s accompanied by nausea. In the lab, it has demonstrated anticramping properties—and the ability to kill foodborne Salmonella bacteria. |
| • Juniper (Juniperus communis) | A traditional Native American remedy for all sorts of digestive ills, including stomachaches and diarrhea, juniper contains several chemicals with antidiarrheal and antimicrobial properties. |
| • Psyllium (Plantago ovata, P. psyllium) | Psyllium, which is typically used to treat constipation (it works as a bulk-forming laxative), also fights diarrhea. Research shows it can be as effective as the drug loperamide. |
| • Sangre de grado (Croton lechleri) | Research shows that sap of this South American tree can be effective against diarrhea caused by many types of infection. |
| • Tea (Camellia sinensis) | Tea contains tannins and other polyphenols, which have been shown to relieve diarrhea as well as the drug loperamide. |
Nausea—defined as an upset stomach accompanied by the urge to vomit—can be a symptom of many conditions, some decidedly more worrisome than others. Vomiting can by a symptom of a serious problem like poisoning, head injury or brain tumor, infection (such as hepatitis), or another disease or condition (such as appendicitis, kidney failure, gallstones, or an ulcer).
Less scary causes include migraine headaches, pregnancy (morning sickness), and certain drugs. Many people become nauseated when they’re in a moving vehicle (motion sickness); most of us feel nauseated when we’ve had too much to drink.
Most cases of nausea are self-limiting: When you get out of the moving car, metabolize the alcohol in your system, or deliver the baby, the nausea will go away. However, if you think you’ve got food poisoning (or another type of poisoning), if you’re experiencing severe abdominal pain or other pains (like a headache or stiff neck), are vomiting blood, or have been sick to your stomach for more than twenty-four hours, you should see a doctor right away.
Conventional medicine typically treats nausea and vomiting with antiemetic (antinausea) drugs. Motion sickness is treated prophylactically with antihistamines—OTC drugs like meclizine (Bonine), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), or prescription drugs like scopolamine (Transderm Scop). If you’re already vomiting, you might take bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol); see above. Antihistamines can cause drowsiness and, less often, headache, diarrhea or constipation, and irregular heartbeat; scopolamine can cause vision problems, dry mouth, and drowsiness. Here are some herbal alternatives:
| •American ginseng ( Panax quinquefolius ) | American ginseng is known for its antiemetic properties. In the lab, it’s shown the ability to prevent nausea and vomiting before they start. |
| •Ginger ( Zingiber officinale ) | Ginger can fight almost any type of nausea you can think of, including morning sickness, postoperative nausea, motion sickness, migrainerelated nausea, and nausea caused by chemotherapy. |
| •Lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia ) | Lavender is a traditional remedy for stomach upset, nausea, and vomiting (it contains camphor, a chemical with known antiemetic properties). The scent of lavender can also quell the queasies. |
Food intolerances are much more common than allergies, affecting about 10 percent of all Americans, and are the sign of a problem in the digestive system. You’re intolerant if a certain food irritates your stomach or intestines or if your body can’t digest it properly. The most common type is lactose intolerance, which occurs in people who lack the enzyme lactase. Other intolerances occur in people who are sensitive to a certain chemical: Food dyes, monosodium glutamate (or MSG, which is a flavor enhancer often used by Chinese restaurants), and sulfites (which occur naturally but are also added to foods to inhibit mold) are common culprits.