Many supplements, herbs and food products are generally taken as self treatments by the people who suffer from different gastrointestinal diseases, including FD, IBS as well as GERD. Constipation can be cured with herbal treatments stimulating fluids secretion into the bowel as well as into the intestines’ muscular contraction. The most general are aloe, senna, rhubarb root and cascara.
As it has been noted fatty foods aggravate dyspepsia symptoms. Individuals suffering from IBS can’t tolerate milk, eggs, wheat, fresh vegetables and fruits. People who have IBS do not have a rise in lactase deficiency or incapability to absorb sugars when tested in the lab, though they might have more signs if exposed to such compounds. A range of herbs, different supplements and food products are useful in treating constipation, dyspepsia and bowel symptoms.
Remember that if you have a potentially life threatening ulcer and for the treatment might need medicines it is not recommended to try supplements and herbs. First you should consult the doctor.
Peppermint oil is the most usefulness for treating IBS and dyspepsia. It possesses antispasmodic features; menthol is the active ingredient that relaxes the intestines’ smooth muscle blocking the influx of calcium. Several random placebo controlled trials showed that peppermint can enhance IBS symptoms. But actually there were heterogeneities among the trials, and that means that the results are not conclusive. There was a study that showed that peppermint alleviates dyspepsia symptoms.
Artichoke leaf extract is generally promoted as a therapy for dyspepsia symptoms. It was shown in some animal studies to enhance bile flow. The active ingredient is cynaropicrin. A study of 244 people randomized to placebo or ALE has shown the enhancement in dyspepsia signs and life quality in comparison with placebo in six weeks of the treatment with ALE. The difference in the treatments was even less than ten per cent. So the effects were not really strong.
Ginger is also used in treating nausea and bowel symptoms. The extracts of ginger have anti-inflammatory features, and thus can be used to strengthen gastric lining, to stimulate the intestines’ motility. Though it is promoted for treating nausea, the studies showed that it cannot reduce post-operative nausea, though it works for sea illness and also nausea in pregnant women. And it is safe without any adverse effects. Next time you eat sushi, remember to put some ginger, though several other trial are necessary to check if it is actually effective for nausea.