Many people have experienced the discomfort of persistent bloating and indigestion. Chronic abdominal distension often indicates weak gastrointestinal function and insufficient gastric motility, hindering normal digestive peristalsis. For those with poor digestion, eating becomes a struggle, frequently accompanied by loss of appetite and aversion to food. Over time, this can easily lead to malnutrition. Beyond digestive tablets, are there any Chinese herbs that can aid digestion?
Yes, there are several digestive-promoting herbs. Below are a few examples for those interested.
Digestive-Promoting Herb 1: Hawthorn
Hawthorn's digestive benefits are well-known and require little explanation.With its sweet-and-sour taste, hawthorn enters the spleen, stomach, and liver meridians. Its primary function is to eliminate food stagnation, especially that caused by overeating meat. Additionally, hawthorn can disperse blood stasis, expel parasites, and treat various conditions like lower back pain, bloating, and high blood lipids. Note: Those with weak spleen and stomach should use it cautiously. Excessive consumption may harm the digestive system and damage teeth, so moderation is key.
Digestive Aid 2. Malt
Maltose likely evokes childhood memories for many, while malt as a Chinese herbal medicine aids digestion and strengthens the stomach. For bloating and indigestion caused by overeating grains or flour, boil malt in water for oral consumption or take it as a powder. If poor spleen and stomach function leads to reduced appetite and frequent bloating, combine malt with dried tangerine peel (Chenpi) and white atractylodes (Baizhu).
Beyond aiding digestion, malt can alleviate breast tenderness caused by weaning and also soothe the liver and relieve depression.
Digestive Aid 3. Chicken Gizzard Lining
The chicken gizzard lining refers to the inner membrane of the gizzard. It offers therapeutic benefits for the spleen, stomach, kidneys, and bladder. Decocted in water, it aids digestion, relieves bloating and stomach pain from overeating, and treats conditions like infantile malnutrition and gallstones.
Digestive Aid 4. Radish Seed
Radish seed aids digestion while also resolving phlegm. It is typically consumed as a decoction or incorporated into pills or powders.
Digestive Herb 5. Chicken Shit Vine
Chicken Shit Vine is a relatively common herb with multiple therapeutic effects. Beyond aiding digestion, it also resolves phlegm, relieves pain, clears heat, and detoxifies. It can be directly decocted for oral use or used to brew medicinal wine.
Digestive Aid 6. Shenqu (Fermented Rice)
Shenqu primarily strengthens the stomach and aids digestion, treating various gastrointestinal issues like bloating, indigestion, loss of appetite, and nausea. Note: Those with excessive stomach fire should avoid it.
The above herbs are common digestive aids in traditional Chinese medicine. Other digestive herbs include rice sprouts, Ge Shan Xiao, and Asafoetida.For persistent indigestion, consider incorporating these herbs. For example, hawthorn can be consumed as hawthorn slices steeped in water or added to soups during cooking.
Of course, digestive issues stem from multiple causes. Identifying the root cause of indigestion is essential for selecting the most effective treatment.Maintain a light diet daily. Opt for sweet-and-sour foods to stimulate appetite, and avoid overly spicy, greasy, or fried items. These foods are not only hard to digest but also high in calories, making them particularly unfriendly for those aiming to maintain a healthy physique. Beyond medication, gently massaging your abdomen for a few minutes before bed can manually stimulate intestinal peristalsis and accelerate digestion.