Herbal Medicine for GI Disorders

For people suffering from gastrointestinal orders, herbal remedies could offer more reliable relief than conventional medicine. In a new report from Japan, researchers reviewed a series of studies and found that certain herbal preparations may help treat common conditions like indigestion, diarrhea, and constipation. For instance, one formula containing ginseng, ginger, and zanthoxylum fruit was shown to relieve constipation in people with post-operative ileus (a disorder marked by post-surgery disruption of normal bowel movements). An eight-herb mixture known as Rikkunshi-to, meanwhile, proved successful in soothing discomfort caused by indigestion.

Many drugs used in treatment of GI disorders are known to cause adverse effects, the study's authors note, while other medications are simply ineffective at easing GI symptoms.