The Everything Guide to Herbal Remedies by Martha Schindler Connors

Author:Martha Schindler Connors [Connors, Martha Schindler; Altshuler, MD, Larry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-60550-719-4
Publisher: F+W Media
Published: 2009-04-01T16:00:00+00:00

Because of their complex chemical structure, many herbs used traditionally to treat digestive and gastrointestinal problems actually address several problems at once. For example, licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a soothing demulcent, pain-killing analgesic, and antibacterial that can relieve the pain of ulcers, speed their healing, and prevent their return.

Gas and Flatulence

Everyone has gas—most of us generate between one and four pints a day (and pass some of it at least fourteen times). Gas is a natural by-product of the digestion process, and only causes problems when it’s produced in excess.

The gas in your intestinal tract comes from two places: the air you swallow and the bacteria in your large intestine, which create gas as they break down the food that’s passing through.

Some people have trouble digesting certain foods, and their bodies send partially digested food into the large intestine, where the bacteria produce extra gas as they “eat” it. For example, lactose, a sugar found in dairy products, can cause serious gas in people who don’t produce enough of the lactose-digesting enzyme lactase. Other people are sensitive to artificial sweeteners like sorbitol and mannitol, which are used in sugar-free gum and other “diet” foods. Overuse of antibiotics or laxatives can also cause problematic gas.

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.

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