Your digestive health is integral to your overall well-being. It helps keep viruses, fungi, and harmful bacteria out of your body.
Maintaining a healthy gut can help protect you against chronic illness and disease. A functioning digestive system aids the body in breaking down food, absorbing essential nutrients, and eliminating waste products.
Ayurvedic herbs such as ginger and Triphala have long been used to support the healthy balance of gut bacteria. Furthermore, these may help in preventing gastrointestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome or celiac disease that could result in a leaky gut.
Ayurvedic medicine is a holistic approach to health that integrates nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, and spirituality. Compared to Western medicine, it offers an in-depth understanding of the connections between digestion, mood, and well-being.
To learn more about improving your gut health with Ayurvedic medicine, continue reading.
Contents
What Is Ayurvedic Medicine?
Ayurvedic medicine is an age-old system of healthcare that originated in India over 5,000 years ago. This holistic approach to healing promotes balance among body, mind, and spirit and has been used to address many different health issues.
Ayurveda is an ancient philosophy that holds that everything in the universe, including your body, is composed of three primary energies (doshas). These energies, vata, pitta, and kapha, influence how you feel and function.
Studies have demonstrated that Ayurvedic medicines can be highly effective in helping individuals manage stress and anxiety, reduce chronic illnesses and promote overall well-being. An experienced and qualified Ayurvedic practitioner can diagnose your condition and provide safe, effective remedies.
Can You Improve Gut Health with Ayurvedic Medicine?
Yes, Ayurvedic medicines may improve your gut health. Ayurvedic teachings aim to restore balance in the gastrointestinal tract by eliminating inflammatory foods, encouraging healthy digestion, and ensuring proper elimination.
Herbs like slippery elm, licorice, and Triphala can act as prebiotics to stimulate friendly gut bacteria’s growth and development. Not only that, but these same herbs may be helpful in preventing infections and improving your gut environment as well.
In addition to these herbs, incorporating the best fiber supplements into your diet can also be beneficial for gut health. Fiber supplements like psyllium husk, flaxseed, or acacia fiber can provide essential dietary fiber that promotes regular bowel movements and supports a healthy gut microbiome.
Ghee is an excellent source of butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that helps maintain the integrity of your intestinal wall and prevents leaky gut syndrome. Spices that promote digestion include turmeric and ginger root, both of which can reduce inflammation in the gut.
By combining these Ayurvedic principles, herbs, and best fiber supplements, you can take important steps to support and improve your gut health.
Ayurvedic Herbs and Medicines to Improve Gut Health
Ayurvedic herbs may also benefit your microbiome and reduce inflammation in the gut. Here are some Ayurvedic herbs and medicines you can use to improve gut health.
Triphala
Triphala, one of Ayurveda’s oldest and most beloved herbal formulas, consists of three fruits: amla, heritage, and bibhitaki. This traditional combination helps support digestion and elimination while providing essential nutrients to nourish the body. It is recommended to take a daily dose of 3-5 grams on an empty stomach, taken between meals. Triphala is available in various forms, such as capsules, tablets, powder, and liquid extract. For optimal absorption, you should take it on an empty stomach with honey or ghee before meals.
Olive Leaf
Olive leaf is an effective antimicrobial herb with antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Its primary active compound, oleuropein, accounts for 6 to 9 percent of olive leaves’ dry matter content. Oleuropein has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, as well as strengthening the immune system. You can include Olive leaves in daily routines to promote gut health and digestion. It can be taken in tincture form, encapsulated, or mixed with water for easy absorption.
Ginger
Ginger is an effective digestive herb that can serve as an antidote for many issues related to your gut. It stimulates beneficial bacteria growth, reduces inflammation, and supports the health of your microbiome. Its medicinal properties come from its bioactive compounds, such as gingerols and shogaols. Furthermore, it acts as an effective antioxidant, helping to boost the body’s immunity levels. Drinking a few sips of ginger tea daily can aid digestion and relieve stomach aches, gas, and heartburn.
Turmeric
Turmeric is an effective anti-inflammatory that helps the body combat inflammation. It can help with digestive issues such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and leaky gut. Additionally, it reduces bloating and gas in those suffering from these conditions. Another turmeric advantage is its potential to help you stay in remission from ulcerative colitis. Add turmeric to your meals or purchase a turmeric supplement.
Chyawanprash
Chyawanprash is an Ayurvedic remedy famous for its numerous health benefits, from aiding digestion to increasing immunity. This mixture has a jam-like consistency and contains various herbs. This mixture contains a number of health-promoting ingredients, such as amla and cinnamon. The latter has carminative properties, which help prevent flatulence and bloating, while the former aids digestion by breaking down waste build-up.
Berberine
Berberine is an ingredient you can commonly find in various plants used in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine to treat digestive disorders. It acts as an effective antimicrobial, helping to maintain a healthy gut microbiome which may result in improved digestion and overall well-being. Berberine can help with a variety of digestive complaints, such as diarrhea, bacterial overgrowth, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Clove
Clove is an aromatic spice that comes from the evergreen tree Syzygium aromaticum. It has been used for centuries as a spice to treat various health ailments. It’s believed to be an effective pain reliever, anti-inflammatory, and digestive aid. Cloves contain active compounds which may stimulate digestive enzyme secretion, making food digestion easier and preventing disorders like indigestion or constipation.
Amalaki
Amalaki is one of the best Ayurvedic herbs to support gut health. It helps restore the balance in gut flora and boost immunity levels. Additionally, vitamin C helps support cardiovascular function and healthy blood pressure. Plus, its anti-aging effects come from its Vitamin C content which also combats free radicals and boosts the body’s natural rejuvenation processes.
Conclusion
Ayurvedic medicine draws upon ancient wisdom to address imbalances within the body, including your gut health. No matter if you suffer from bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, or acid reflux – the foundation of good health lies in your digestive system. To support that foundation, we’ve rounded up some of the best Ayurvedic medicines to promote gut health and boost your microbiome. You can also use herbs and medicines like Triphala, ginger, turmeric, clove, and olive leaf to improve your gut health. However, make sure you consult a certified practitioner before you take any medicines.
