Top 5 Herbs to Soothe the Gut

Herbs have been used for thousands of years to soothe and heal the gut. Over all that time, these plants have stood the test of time and are still widely used by natural health practitioners to help patients with stomach and gut issues. If you have nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, or diarrhea, before reaching for the pink bottle, check out the top 5 herbs I recommend to soothe the gut.

Aloe Vera A. barbadenis

Let's start at the beginning with Aloe Vera. The first known mention of aloe as a plant with healing properties may have been in Sumerian around 2200 B.C. on clay tablets that were excavated. This plant is very common and can often be found growing like a weed in certain climates. Ancient Egyptians used this herb widely for embalming, but it was also told that Cleopatra herself used it to enhance the beauty of her skin.

Today the ingredients can be found in numerous cosmetics and healthcare products. Although the outside of the plant is tough, the inside fleshy part has a soothing effect on cuts, burns, chapped skin, sunburn, and insect bites. This is why in Ayurvedic medicine, aloe gel is used as a tonic for those with a Pitta, or fire, constitution.

There are over 300 species of Aloe, but the three that are commonly used for herbal properties are Aloe perryi, A. ferox, and Aloe Vera, which is the one that most people are familiar with.

For digestive issues, it is most commonly used as Aloe Vera Juice or Gel. Aloe Vera can be made into juice from the flesh of the aloe vera plant leaf. The leaf is crushed and filtered so that it can be provided in a liquid form for consumption.

As mentioned before, it has soothing and healing properties, which is why studies have shown that it can be used to help people with IBS and other inflammatory disorders of the intestines. In order for healing to take place in the intestines and stomach, it is important to reduce inflammation.

For the same reason, Aloe Vera can be used for acute acid reflux as the compounds help soothe secretions of acid in the stomach. It has also been used to heal and reverse gastric ulcers.

Aloe contains anthraquinones, which is a chemical compound that stimulates contractions in the walls of the digestive tract, which gives it a laxative property. Studies have found that it can be used successfully in the treatment of IBS as it decreases irritation and inflammation in the stomach.

When buying Aloe Vera, it should be organic pure Aloe Vera Gel or Juice. Avoid it if it has any color. Aloe Vera is not green, it is transparent. Look for a shorter shelf life as the product will be purer with less additives and preservatives.

Herb Tip: Aloe Vera relieves IBS and any inflammatory disorder of the intestines as well as gastric ulcers.

Fennel Foeniculum vulgare

I have just recently started with my love and use of Fennel. I kept running into the plant at my local grocery store and wondering what I could use it for. I then stumbled into a blog about juicing fennel and I have been hooked ever since.

This herb has been popular for cooking in Europe throughout history as the Romans ate the plant's seeds and young shoots, and the Anglo-Saxons included the herb in many dishes. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that fennel would provide strength, courage, and a long life to those who ate it. Modern day studies have proven that the Greeks and Romans were on the right track with this herb.

Fennel is used medicinally to aid in digestion. The active ingredients in fennel are anethole, fenchone, and estragole. The compounds together have shown in studies to be anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory. Additionally, these compounds work together to increase motility of the digestive tract.

Fennel seeds may relax the muscles in the intestines, which can relieve constipation as well as gassiness and acid reflux. If you are trying to lose weight, this herb can be very helpful as it can suppress the appetite.

A few tips for the moms out there: Fennel is not suitable for pregnant women as it is a uterine stimulant. However, after pregnancy this herb is wonderful to help increase the flow of breast milk.

When purchasing and using fennel, the active ingredients are found in the plant's leaves, stems, and roots, with the most concentrated forms of the compounds found in the seeds.

Herb Tip: Fennel relieves constipation, acid reflux, and gas.

Ginger Zingiber officinale

Now I don't like to play favorites with my herbs because they are all so great for you, but ginger just packs such a punch it definitely should be at the top of your grocery list and included in your diet.

Ginger is a spicy herb that is very soothing for the digestive tract. Used over 4,500 years ago by the Greeks as well as the Romans, it was imported from China and India. Medicinally it was used in ancient China and Ayurvedic medicine, and today it is used to help prevent and treat nausea and vomiting, but it can do so much more.

Ginger's rhizomes contain chemicals known as gingerols and shogaols, which stimulate the flow of saliva, bile, and gastric secretions. These relieve upset stomach while encouraging gentle muscle contraction that moves food through the digestive tract.

Asian cultures understood the benefits of ginger, which is why you see it used so much in their cooking. In China, ginger has been used for treating arthritis, colic, and heart conditions. Preliminary studies suggest that ginger may lower cholesterol and act as an antioxidant to prevent arterial plaque. Ginger was also used to relieve muscular strain from rheumatic conditions when added to massage oils.

Owing to its antiseptic action, ginger is used for infections of the GI tract and stomach. Ginger contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it a great herb for easing menstrual cramps, regulating blood sugar, preventing cell damage, and warding off chronic disease.

Ginger can be added to your tea, juiced daily in your masticating juicer, and sautéed into your favorite dish. The plant can be used fresh or dried, but you should look for ginger with shiny, taut, thin skin that is not thick and can be easily nicked by your nail. If you raise it to your nose and it smells spicy, it's fresh.

Feel free to take a piece right off the end of a larger piece of ginger at the store. It should snap right off, and if it doesn't, it may have been on the shelf too long.

Herb Tip: Ginger relieves nausea, upset stomach, vomiting, and aids digestion.

Gentian Gentiana lutea

Gentian was named after the ancient king of Illyria, a country in the Balkan peninsula, which is in the area of Greece. Supposedly he was the one to find the plant's medicinal value. The Gentian herb has many species, however the kind used medicinally is the yellow flowering type. Lutea comes from the Latin word for yellow.

Gentian was used in Egypt, and mention of it was found on papyrus dating back to 1200 B.C. The Arabs and Greeks used Gentian for the stomach in order to kill intestinal worms and deal with infections. By the Middle Ages, it was used to cleanse and disinfect wounds and was used in cases of poisoning.

Around the 1700s, they discovered that Gentian could be used as an appetizer before the meal and that it would act as a digestive bitter, encouraging the body to produce bile and digestive enzymes that help break down food.

The active ingredients in Gentian are bitter compounds called gentiopicroside and amarogentin. Gentian is known as a pure bitter, as the bitter taste in the plant also helps with its medicinal value.

When you taste something bitter, the body has a reflexive effect of increasing secretions of stomach juices and increase in bile, which helps to break down fats into fatty acids. It also signals the pancreas to release enzymes for digesting.

When you take Gentian before a meal, it signals the body to start producing the enzymes necessary for breakdown and nutrient absorption of the food. As we age, stomach secretions decline, which can be a contributing factor to why so many elderly people are chronically constipated.

Herb Tip: Gentian can be used for excessive fullness, loss of appetite, gas, diarrhea, gastritis, heartburn, and vomiting.

Slippery Elm Ulmus rubra

All of the plants so far have been native to other parts of the world, but we travel to North America for the roots to Slippery Elm. Native American tribes used the bark for food, medicine, and for building. Traditionally it was used by the Cherokee tribe for coughs, skin conditions, and as an eye wash.

It is reported that George Washington's army survived on porridge made from slippery elm bark during the battle at Valley Forge.

This herb is mucilaginous or slippery, which makes it uniquely suited for ailments of the digestive tract. Recent trials have found that slippery elm is also an antioxidant, which assists the immune system and reduces intestinal inflammation.

What makes this herb so unique is that it is a demulcent and an astringent. It is excellent for inflamed mucous membrane linings in the digestive system as it simultaneously soothes and astringes the tissue of the intestinal lining.

Joel E. Richter, FACP, chair of the department of gastroenterology and hepatology at the Cleveland Clinic, recommends using it for 4 to 6 months. This length of time allows the inflammation to fully heal.

If you are taking antacids, this may be just the herb for you if your goal with your primary care doctor is to eventually wean off medications. Slippery elm is now available and approved for use by the FDA as an over-the-counter product in the form of teas, powders, lozenges, and capsules.

Herb Tip: Slippery Elm can be used for heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and hiatal hernias.

Final Thoughts

These five herbs have stood the test of time for good reason. They work with your body's natural healing mechanisms to soothe inflammation, support digestion, and restore balance to your gut.

At MyNaturowellness in Bonita Springs, I work with patients every day who are struggling with digestive issues. Whether it's IBS, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis, chronic bloating, or just general discomfort, we take a holistic approach to understand what's happening in your body and create a personalized plan to help you heal.

Remember, these herbs are tools. They work best when combined with proper nutrition, stress management, and addressing the root causes of your digestive dysfunction. Your body is talking to you through these symptoms. Let's listen together and give your body what it needs to heal.

If you're dealing with any digestive issues and want to explore a natural, holistic approach, I'd love to help. You can visit www.mynaturowellness.com to schedule an appointment and talk about your health goals.

Because you deserve to feel comfortable, energized, and free from digestive distress. And with the right support, you can.