By now it is well aware that herbs can have many wonderful benefits for your health. They can even sometimes help in sicknesses, where medication can’t! Today we are going to talk about which specific herbs help you keep your gut healthy and happy. It is crucial that you maintain a healthy gut because it influences all the other processes in your body. Herbs and some type of spices can help support a healthy digestive function, and the ability of your gut to break down all the food you consume on daily basis. Furthermore, this process affects the way that your body absorbs and uses those nutrients.
What does a healthy gut mean?
Your gut is a collective name for all the parts of your digestive tract. They are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, small intestine, large intestine (colon), and rectum. However, there are also about 100 trillion bacteria that live inside your gut and help you break down food. These bacteria are so important that when you have to take antibiotics (which destroy all bacteria inside your body, the good and the bad) doctors always prescribe you probiotics to maintain a healthy number of bacteria inside your gut.
There are two types of bacteria living inside of your body – the first ones are “friendly” and necessary for supporting your overall health. The second type is the “bad” ones, due to the fact that they are responsible for increasing the risk of getting sick.
So the only way that you can support a healthy gut is by balancing these two types of bacteria inside your body. Keep in mind that there are factors, such as stress and bad eating habits that can destroy the balance between good and bad gut bacteria.
How to Naturally Improve Gut Health with Herbs?
As we mentioned before, in some cases people take probiotics to help maintain a healthy gut. The reason is that probiotics are friendly bacteria that have the ability to survive in your digestive tract and assist in breaking down food and not only that. It is interesting that certain herbs contain colonies of friendly bacteria living inside of them. Due to this fact, we are going to tell you which herbs can help you maintain a healthy gut!
Triphala
Triphala is easily one of the best choices when it comes to how to keep your gut naturally healthy! It has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. This herb is a mix of three plants: amla (Indian gooseberry), Haritaki, and Bibhitaki. Triphala contains mild laxatives, which are important nutrients and antioxidants that can soothe constipation, bloating, and even abdominal pain. The herb is typically used to enhance barrier function, and to improve absorption of nutrients.
Licorice root
People that have a thinning membrane lining use Licorice root to help strengthen it. Furthermore, this herb aids irritation by providing a protective cover over this lining and helps decrease inflammation.
Slippery elm
Native Americans and Canadians have used this herb to help heal the mucous membranes in the gut. According to some research, Slippery elm has been linked to improving bowel movements in patients who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome. This herb has also been used by Native Americans to aid fevers, sore throats, and wounds.
Oregano
According to studies, the leaves of the oregano plant can have an antimicrobial effect on the gut. Furthermore, it is a herb that contains high amounts of antioxidants, which are very beneficial for your overall health!
Summary
A healthy gut means that you have a balanced amount of friendly and bad microbes in your body. A lot of factors influence your gut health, like stress, activeness, exposure to environmental toxins, and your diet. According to modern science, certain herbs and herbal blends have the ability to promote gut health. Furthermore, they are safe to use at home, as long as you do not overdose.
