Gastro Intestinal Tract (GIT) health depends on all the organs supporting the digestive system performing in harmony and the gut itself functioning calmly and moving food along through the various stages of digestion until it is converted into a normal stool in the descending colon and discharged.
Stress induced stomach cramps is a situation where there has been interference in the normal flowing peristaltic pattern which moves through the whole of the GIT as part of normal functioning.
These sorts of cramps can result in irritation in the lining of the stomach and in some of the acid contents of the stomach being forced back up the oesophagus and causes a burning sensation. These are the symptoms of indigestion if they occur only occasionally and they may be relieved with soothing food or antacid medications.
Eating when you are not hungry or when your stomach is not prepared to digest, is a problem and this may be aggravated by the modern habit of having iced water with meals. A cup of hot water or hot chamomile tea or ginger tea is much more conducive to preparing the gut for a meal.
Over feeding generally, especially on foods which are too rich or too fatty, can cause indigestion. If this is a regular habit it can make your stomach and your liver more and more reactive and the occurrence of indigestion more and more frequent. Antacids become less effective with repeated use as they ultimately promote more acid production generally and exacerbate the problem.
Other contributing factors in chronic indigestion can be overly tight clothing or belts worn too tight across the stomach.
The habit of taking fennel seeds after a meal as is common in India, Asia and the Middle East assists in the digestive process and makes indigestion less likely. Europeans typically used mint for the same purpose and even today some restaurants provide a mint sweet after a meal.
In severe cases of chronic indigestion my herbal treatment suggestions may also involve a course of Slippery Elm Bark Powder. This is given at a dose rate of one dessertspoon daily mixed into a paste with cold Chamomile Tea.
Each dose is taken in small swallows and for a continuous period of 12 weeks. Slippery Elm provides a protective lining to the mucosal lining of the oesophagus and stomach, and in 12 weeks should completely heal any irritated areas.
The mix I provide to chronic indigestion sufferers consists of the following herbal extracts: Chamomile, Alfalfa, Slippery Elm, Dandelion and Agrimony and the Bach Flower Remedies Walnut and Agrimony. This mix should be taken three times daily at a dose rate of 20 drops per dose and Chamomile tea either hot or cold should be taken also at least three times daily to support digestion.
The treatment must be maintained initially for at least 3 months and most folk find that when they have finished with the Slippery Elm they generally benefit further from maintaining the herbal tonic as a supplement for longer, usually until their indigestion has not troubled them for a period of 6 months or more.
Ultimately long-term benefits will only be maintained by managing stress more effectively and by changing habits of overeating; rushing meals; eating when you are not hungry; or comfort eating.
Robert McDowell's staff Herbalists can not diagnose your disease or illness. What they can do is offer a Herbal program, to assist with healing, after you have had advice from your doctor or specialist. If you have unexplained pain or symptoms, seek medical advice. If you wish to ask for any further information or clarifications on this product please click on the link below.
