Gastrointestinal disorders treatment by turmeric & asafoetida

There was one study in which is said that about 60 to 70 million Americans suffer from some kind of gastrointestinal disorder [1]. IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), celiac disease, IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), diverticulitis, food intolerance, lactose intolerance, peptic ulcers, acid reflux, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, gas, bloating, and indigestion are some of the most common gastrointestinal disorders.

The digestive system is an important part of our bodies, and any problem which is related to this system can cause you a lot of discomforts. The primary function of this system is to absorb essential nutrients and to rid of waste products.

There are many causes that can lead to gastrointestinal disorders, but the most common are nutritional deficiencies, lack of sleep, stress, excessive alcohol intake, excessive smoking, dehydration, lack of exercise, improper hygiene, and poor diet.

There are different types of gastrointestinal disorders. This is a reason why it is important to be discovered the real condition which you suffer. You can use some home remedies and make some lifestyle changes because they can help you to get relief from these conditions.

10 Home remedies for gastrointestinal disorders

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can help you to keep your digestive system in a good shape [2]. It is acidic in nature, and it has an alkalizing effect on our bodies. This natural cure will help you to improve digestion and to treat problems such as heartburn, stomachaches, bloating, gas and indigestion.

Also, this home remedy has pectin, which is water–soluble fiber that will help you to regulate bowel movements. In a cup of warm water, you should add one tablespoon of raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar. You should mix a small amount of raw honey in it. You should drink this natural treatment two or three times per day because it can help you maintain a healthy digestive system.

Asafoetida

This natural cure is good for your digestive system because it has anti-flatulent, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. This natural cure is very effective in treating food poisoning, stomach pain, upset stomach, flatulence, and gas [3].

Also, you can use this natural cure to treat colic pain if you have a small baby. You should mix a pinch of asafoetida in a glass of warm water, and you should drink it after your meals. This will help you to improve your digestion.

Also, you can add this home remedy to your daily cooking. If you have a small baby who has stomach pain and gas, then you should rub a small amount of asafoetida mixed with water around the navel because this can reduce his stomach pain and gas.

Fennel seeds

This natural cure supports digestive health. You can use these seeds to treat low stomach acidity, indigestion, and heartburn. These seeds can also give you relief from intestinal spasms and bloating, which are associated with IBS. There was one study in which is said that fennel seed oil help decrease the intensity of infantile colic [4].

You should chew one teaspoon of fennel seeds after you have eaten your meal to aid digestion. If you suffer from indigestion, then you should drink fennel tea, or you can take ½ teaspoon of fennel seed powder along with a glass of water two times per day. To make the fennel tea, you should steep one teaspoon of crushed fennel seeds in one cup of hot water for about five minutes.

Peppermint

This natural cure aids digestion, and it can help in the prevention of gastrointestinal disorders. It has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and carminative properties, which can help you to treat intestinal cramps, bloating, and gas, as well as vomiting and nausea. Also, it can help calm down an upset digestive system, and it accelerates healing. There was one study in which is said that peppermint helps to improve abdominal symptoms in people who suffer from IBS [5].

Also, it can treat similar symptoms of celiac disease or lactose intolerance. You should drink peppermint tea once or twice per day. To make this tea, you should add one teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves to one cup of hot water. You should cover this tea, and you should steep it for ten minutes.

You should strain it and then drink it. You should eat fresh peppermint leaves every day by sprinkling them over your dishes, or you can add these leaves to your salads.

Also, you can take enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules three or four times a day for a period of a few weeks, but first, you need to talk with your doctor.

Probiotic foods

Probiotic foods can keep your digestive system healthy and functioning efficiently. This food has strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria (this is a type of good bacteria) which can help to restore the natural balance of your gut bacteria.

Also, these foods can help treat and prevent digestive disorders such as IBD, flatulence, abdominal bloating, and diarrhea. There was one study about probiotic foods, which are said that they can help in the treatment of several digestive problems [6].

You can consume sour pickles, buttermilk, tempeh, kimchi, sauerkraut, miso, kefir, and Greek yogurt because all of them are probiotic foods. Also, you can take probiotic supplements, but you need to talk with your doctor first.

Ginger

You should include ginger in your diet because this will improve your digestion and it will prevent digestive problems and gastrointestinal disorders [7]. This natural cure stimulates digestive juices and the flow of enzymes that are needed to digest food properly.

Also, this is a very effective home remedy for reducing and preventing diarrhea, bloating, indigestion, flatulence, vomiting, and nausea. Also, it has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, and carminative properties, which can help you to prevent digestive problems. You should drink two to three cups of ginger tea every day.

To make this tea, you should boil one teaspoon of freshly grated ginger in 1½ cup of hot water. You should let it simmer for ten minutes. Strain out the ginger. You should add some raw honey to it and enjoy this tea. Also, you can add two teaspoons of ginger juice and one teaspoon of honey to one cup of warm water. You should drink this home remedy once or twice per day. Also, you can chew a small piece of ginger after your meals because this can help you to improve your digestion.

Aloe Vera

This natural cure has laxative properties which support the proper functioning of the digestive system. Also, it has some compounds that are known as polysaccharides which can help you in the treatment of many digestive disorders such as stomach ulcers. Also, this herb has antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help soothe inflammation and irritation in the digestive tract. [8]

You should add two tablespoons of Aloe Vera gel to a cup of orange juice or water. You should blend it in a blender. You should drink this natural cure every morning on an empty stomach. You should not consume Aloe Vera if you are breastfeeding or pregnant.

Psyllium Husk

This herb is also known as isabgol, and it can promote regularity and overall digestive health. This natural laxative has insoluble fiber, which adds bulk to your stool and it makes bowel movements easier [9].

Also, it can help you to prevent flatulence, gas, and constipation. You should thoroughly mix 1/2 to one teaspoon of psyllium husk in one glass of warm milk or water. You should drink this mixture before you go to bed. You should repeat this natural treatment on a daily basis because it can help you to have smooth bowel movements.

Oatmeal

This natural cure promotes intestinal health due to its high fiber content. This element can help in maintaining bowel regularity, and it prevents constipation. Also, it can reduce the symptoms like heartburn and nausea, which are associated with GERD.

Oatmeal is a bland and low-fat food which means that it is easy to digest. You can enjoy oatmeal even if you suffer from diarrhea.

You should start your day with a bowl of oatmeal because it can help you to have a healthy digestive system. Also, you can add fruits and nuts because they will enhance their nutritional value. Also, you can try oat flour and oatmeal cookies because they can help you to improve digestion. [10]

Turmeric

This herb is used to treat common digestive problems. It has curcumin which stimulates the gallbladder to release bile. Also, it aids digestion and improves liver function. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help you to reduce the inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. There was one study about turmeric, which is said that this is a very effective natural treatment for functional and organic digestive disorders [11].

You can use this natural cure to treat several digestive disorders such as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, IBS, peptic ulcer, and dyspepsia. You should drink ½ teaspoon of turmeric juice with a glass of water every day because this will help you to prevent digestive problems. Also, you can include raw turmeric in your cooking.

References

[1] National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Opportunities and challenges in digestive diseases research: Recommendations of the National Commission on Digestive Diseases. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health; 2009. NIH Publication 08–6514.

[2] Hlebowicz J, Darwiche G, Bjorgell O, Almer L-O. Effect of apple cider vinegar on delayed gastric emptying in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a pilot study. BMC Gastroenterology. 2007;7:46.

[3] Amalraj A, Gopi S. Biological activities and medicinal properties of Asafoetida: A review. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. 2017;7(3):347-59.

[4] Alexandrovich I, Rakovitskaya O, Kolmo E, et al. The effect of fennel (Foeniculum Vulgare) seed oil emulsion in infantile colic: a randomized, placebo-controlled study. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 2003;9(4):58-61.

[5] Alammar N, Wang L, Saberi B, et al. The impact of peppermint oil on the irritable bowel syndrome: a meta-analysis of the pooled clinical data. BMC Complementary & Alternative Medicine. 2019;19:21.

[6] Culligan EP, Hill C, Sleator RD. Probiotics and gastrointestinal disease: successes, problems and future prospects. Gut Pathogens. 2009;1:19.

[7] Bodagh MN, Maleki I, Hekmatdoost A. Ginger in gastrointestinal disorders: A systematic review of clinical trials. Food Science & Nutrition. 2019;7(1):96-108.

[8] Foster M, Hunter D, Samman S. Chapter 3: Evaluation of the nutritional and metabolic effects of aloe vera. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects (2nd Ed.). Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S (Ed.). 2011.

[9] Jalanka J, Major G, Murray K, et al. The effect of psyllium husk on intestinal microbiota in constipated patients and healthy controls. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2019;20(2):433.

[10] Rasane P, Jha A, Sabikhi L, et al. Nutritional advantages of oats and opportunities for its processing as value added foods – a review. Journal of Food Science and Technology. 2015;52(2):662-75.

[11] Dulbecco P, Savarino V. Therapeutic potential of curcumin in digestive diseases. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2013;19(48):9256-70.