Dyspepsia (indigestion) is incomplete or imperfect digestion, usually accompanied by a sense,
of fullness after eating, eructation, nausea and vomiting, heartburn, acid regurgitation,
accumulation of gas, belching, and loss of appetite. The symptoms may occur irregularly
and in different patterns from time to time. The symptoms are much more marked during times
of stress. Dyspepsia is not a disease itself, but symptomatic of other diseases or disorders.
Dyspepsia may be due to excessive acidity in the stomach (acid dyspepsia), by excessive use
of alcoholic beverages (alcoholic dyspepsia), or by faulty function of the stomach and
intestines (gastrointestinal dyspepsia). Additionally, dyspepsia may be caused by a liver
disease (hepatic dyspepsia) or found during heart disease (cardiac dyspepsia). It may even be
present during hysterial attacks.
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Dyspepsia
(Indigestion)
echnically, dyspepsia,
or indigestion, is the inability to properly digest food. Indigestion is often caused
by an overproduction of stomach acid, and sometimes, by a shortage of acid. Many times
the cause is a faulty esophageal sphincter, the valve between stomach and esophagus, which
may fail to close properly, thereby allowing partially digested food and stomach acid to
come back up in the throat. Stress and anxiety are also oftentimes at fault in dyspepsia.
Chronic indigestion attacks may signal an underlying problem such as peptic ulcer, chronic
appendicitis, or hiatal hernia. A definitive diagnosis is always important before
beginning treatments.
Many herbs have a long history of
traditional use as digestive aids.
Chamomile and
Ginger are traditional
carminative herbs.
Biliary dyspepsia is due to insufficient quantity or quality of bile secretions.
Dandelion contains a
bitter, milky juice with the active principle, taraxacin, which is known to stimulate bile
secretion. Bitter herbs are well known to stimulate digestive functions by increasing saliva
production and promting stomach acid and digestive enzyme production.
Devil's Claw, a potent
bitter, stimulates the stomach and increases gastric digestive enzymes that help digest
proteins and fat. Gentian root, contains some of the most bitter substances known, particularly the glycosides
gentiopicrin and amarogentin; therefore, it stimulates secretion of saliva in the mouth and
hydrochloric acid in the stomach, aiding digestion;
Wormwood increases bile and
stimulates poor appetite. The volatile oil in Juniper is also traditionally used.
Herbs such as Chamomile and
Ginger, mentioned above, are traditional carminatives, as is
Turmeric root.
Oregano Oil also has
carminative and antispasmodic effects.
Many herbs have a long history of
traditional use as digestive aids.
Chamomile and
Ginger are traditional
carminative herbs.
Biliary dyspepsia is due to insufficient quantity or quality of bile secretions.
Dandelion contains a
bitter, milky juice with the active principle, taraxacin, which is known to stimulate bile
secretion. Bitter herbs are well known to stimulate digestive functions by increasing saliva
production and promting stomach acid and digestive enzyme production.
Devil's Claw, a potent
bitter, stimulates the stomach and increases gastric digestive enzymes that help digest
proteins and fat. Gentian root, contains some of the most bitter substances known, particularly the glycosides
gentiopicrin and amarogentin; therefore, it stimulates secretion of saliva in the mouth and
hydrochloric acid in the stomach, aiding digestion;
Wormwood increases bile and
stimulates poor appetite. The volatile oil in Juniper is also traditionally used.Herbs such as Chamomile and
Ginger, mentioned above, are traditional carminatives, as is
Turmeric root.
Oregano Oil also has
carminative and antispasmodic effects.
Note:
This information is provided for educational purposes only
and is not intended to replace the use of a qualified
health care professional. We strongly recommend the use
of a physician for the diagnostic phase of any treatment.
With an accurate diagnosis in hand, we believe the consumer,
at that point, has a basic, unalienable right to seek out
factual information on all therapeutic approaches, both
orthodox and alternative, and choose those approach(es)
that are right for them. Nonetheless, a "good doctor"
should be considered a requisite starting point.To U.S. Users:
None of the products mentioned on this page have been
evaluated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration;
therefore, they are not intended to diagnose, treat,
cure, or prevent any disease.