Herbal Ingredients for Gut Health

Introduction 

Digestive health is the foundation of overall wellbeing. The body must efficiently break down all the food we eat into nutrients that it can absorb and use. But modern dietary habits, stress, sedentary lifestyle, erratic meal timings and processed foods have led to a rise in number of people experiencing digestive complaints such as bloating, indigestion, acidity, acid reflux (GERD), excessive gas, epigastric discomfort and post-meal heaviness. 

Conventional medicine may be able to relieve symptoms, but many people are increasingly looking to natural approaches that support digestive health in a more holistic way. Herbal ingredients have been used for centuries in traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda to help promote healthy digestion and gastrointestinal comfort. Scientific research continues to this day to explore the many ways these botanicals support digestive function. 

In this blog, we will look at the role of herbal ingredients in gut health products, how they work and why the combination of traditional herbs and digestive enzymes may offer comprehensive digestive support. 

Need of Herbal Ingredients for Gut Health 

The digestive system is much more than just digestion. It is involved in nutrient absorption, immune system regulation, maintenance of gut microbiome and waste elimination. As digestion weakens, symptoms such as bloating, indigestion, constipation, acid reflux and abdominal discomfort can arise. 

Many of the herbs used traditionally for digestive wellness have properties that help: 

Herbal ingredients tend to support the digestive process itself rather than just relieve the symptoms. 

Common digestive issues may support by herbal ingredients 

Digestive herbs are frequently used for people who are experiencing the following: 

If you have digestive symptoms that last, you should see a healthcare professional, but you can use herbal support together with changes in diet and lifestyle. 

Herbs & Gut Health: The Power of Herbs  

For centuries, many cultures have used herbs for their medicinal properties, particularly to aid digestive health. For example, herbs that are natural for digestion are famous for balancing the doshas of the body and building “Agni” (digestive fire), which is important for proper metabolism. Also, recent research suggests that the polyphenols in many herbs act as prebiotics, feeding good gut bacteria and decreasing inflammation.  

Herbal ingredients and their scientifically supported roles in gut health [1]

A Closer Look at Key Digestive Herbs

1. Trikatu

Trikatu is prescribed by the Ayurvedic medical system to treat tastelessness (Arocaka) and disturbed digestion (Agnimandya and Amadosa). According to Bhaisajyaratnawali of Ayurveda, trikatu is a compound herbal preparation made up of three bitter herbs combined in equal amounts. This mixture is made from dried rhizomes of Zingiber officinale (Sunthi) and dried fruits of Piper nigrum (Marich) and Piper longum (Peepli).   

 It stimulates digestion by increasing the production of digestive fluids in the stomach. In summary, Trikatu has therapeutic benefits on our body's respiratory, urinary, immune, skin, and metabolic systems in addition to its effects on the overall digestive system. 

Therapeutic Indication:
Trikatu Churna is helpful in following health conditions. 

2. Asafoetida (Hing)

It is an oleo-gum-resin obtained from the stems of Ferula plants of the family Umbelliferae. Asafoetida is a useful treatment for a number of stomach disorders. The most commonly studied beneficial physiological effect is the digestive stimulating properties of asafoetida leading to increased salivary amylase activity and saliva output. [2]

Spices are thought to enhance digestion by increasing the output of gastric juices and flow of saliva. Spices can stimulate digestion, probably through their ability to increase the activity of digestive enzymes.     

3. Plumbago Zeylanica l. (Chitrak)- A Gastrointestinal Flora Normaliser 

In Ayurveda, the roots of Ghitrak are suggested as digestive (Pachaniya) and appetiser (Deepaniya).  

It is believed to promote gastrointestinal health and protect against digestive diseases by enhancing agni or digestive fire. It is a good medicine for many diseases as it can balance the doshas and purify the body. Chitrak has a deepana (fire kindling) effect which improves immunity and general well-being. It is effective for treating skin diseases, digestive issues and persistent pain from Vata disorders. It's known to improve the intellectual capacity and mental clarity of the individual and thus is good for cognitive health overall. It's hot potency (ushna), bitter and pungent taste (tikta and katu) and pungent post-digestive sensation (vipaka) are its hallmarks. These properties can pacify Vata and Kapha doshas and thus, can help in treating skin disorders, cough, inflammation and abdominal pain. 

Our Approach to Gut Health  

We believe the healthiest gut comes from a holistic approach that combines the best of nature and science. We have products like Gut Shot, Easy Peasy Gut which are made for effective gut health solutions. They are designed to give targeted relief and support long-term digestive health. 

Easy Peasy Gut is a scientifically formulated digestive wellness supplement that combines traditional digestive herbs and digestive enzymes to support multiple pathways that are involved in digestive health. 

Here are some of the key herbal ingredients for gut health that you’ll commonly find in our best gut health products, along with how they work:    

These are just a few powerful botanical ingredients we use to source our gut-health products. We also combine these traditional remedies with selected enzymes for full digestive system support. These botanicals support healthy digestion, digestive comfort, easier digestion and overall GI comfort.  

Digestive enzymes are also helpful for digestion. Herbs are helpful for digestive comfort. Digestive enzymes aid the breakdown of food into smaller molecules so that the body can absorb them. The formula is also enriched with digestive enzymes such as alpha-amylase, protease, lipase, cellulase, xylanase and lactase to aid better breakdown of carbohydrate, protein, fat, fibre and lactose.

If the food is not digested properly, undigested food can ferment in the intestine causing bloating, gas and discomfort. 

A more complete approach may use both digestive enzymes and digestive herbs to help break down nutrients and support digestive function. Easy Peasy Gut supports digestion on many levels, reducing bloating, heaviness after meals, indigestion and digestive discomfort and contributing to a healthier gut environment. 

Clinical Evidence 

The digestive health benefits of Easy Peasy Gut + Enzoblend-EBP were evaluated in a randomised, double-blind, Phase III clinical trial involving adults with GERD and related GI symptoms. After 14 days of supplementation, participants reported: 

These results indicate that the combination of traditional digestive herbs and digestive enzymes may offer substantial help for digestive comfort and gastrointestinal quality of life.

Conclusion 

For generations, herbal ingredients have been used to aid healthy digestion and modern research continues to show their role in promoting digestive comfort and overall gut health. Support digestion, reduce bloating and improve gastrointestinal comfort with traditional botanicals like Pudina (mint), Ajwain, Saunf (fennel) and Jeera (cumin) and digestive enzymes to help breakdown and absorb nutrients. And, when used in conjunction with a healthy diet and lifestyle, scientifically formulated herbal digestive products such as Easy Peasy Gut can provide complete support for digestive wellness and help individuals enjoy a healthier, more comfortable digestive system. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. What herbs are good for digestion? 

Clinically tested digestive herbs such as Pudina (mint), Ajwain, Saunf (fennel), and Jeera (cumin) have been used for ages to ensure optimal digestion and digestive comfort. 

2. Can herbs help reduce bloating? 

Herbs used for digestion can help reduce bloating, gas and abdominal discomfort after eating when combined with a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. 

3. Can digestive enzymes be replaced by herbs?