ur digestive system is made of an interconnected web of organs and glands that have the humongous task to transform food into energy. We often say that we are what we eat, but it would more correct to say that we are what we digest, as we absorb a mere 10% of the energy we eat. Eyes, nose and hypothalamus Digestion begins in the eyes and in the nose. Smelling, seeing and thinking about inviting food is enough to trigger our appetite center in the hypothalamus and start the production of saliva. Just the thought of food is often enough: think of an acidic and pulpy, bright yellow lemon and you will see for yourself. Please your brain, your eyes and your nose by eating colorful meals in beautiful plates. Making a ritual out of every meal has an impressive impact on digestion, notably by regulating satiety signals. Practice mindful eating (see video on the Lesson 2 page) The mouth and esophagus In the first stage of digestion, food is crushed and blended with saliva. Saliva is rich in enzymes that start the process of chemical digestion. When the food is properly masticated, it is sent to the stomach through the oesophagus. The distance from your mouth to your stomach is covered in less than 10 seconds. Ma-sti-ca-te. Masticating will increase the amount of nutrients absorbed. Take your time. o Have you ever played that game as a child where you have to pair shapes and their matching hole? The circle shape goes in the circle hole, and the square shape goes in the square hole. Digestion is like that. The gut wall is perforated with a multitude of different shaped holes, and molecules match themselves in the appropriate hole so they can cross and be released in the blood or lymph, where they will be carried to the organs. The stomach When it reaches the stomach, your food is flooded with hypochlorhydric acid (HCl). This strong acid breaks bonds between molecules, making them assimilable later on. The stomach is a three-layered muscle: it kneads the food for approximately one hour before it exits to the small intestine. The stomach also tests the composition of your food. Is it fat? Is it milk? Is it sugar? It relays this information to the pancreas and the gallbladder who will release the correct recipe of enzymes and hormones to digest the precise content of your stomach. Take carminative herbs before/after meals to stimulate hypochlorhydric acid (and other digestive juices) production. Avoid drinking big amounts of water directly before, during, or after meals to avoid the dilution of hypochlorhydric acid in the stomach. The gallbladder Food exits the stomach in small quantities to enter the small intestine. The gallbladder releases bile, hormones and enzymes through the bile duct directly in the small intestine. The role of bile is essential to digestion. Synthetized by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, it holds all the products of detoxification that are to exit the body. It also emulsifies fat molecules, making them assimilable. Take bitter herbs to stimulate gallbladder and liver function. This will greatly contribute to proper detoxification and regulate your blood sugar balance. The pancreas The pancreas is in charge of blood sugar regulation. It discharges its hormones in the small intestine to control blood sugar levels. If the food you ate is very rich in sugar, the pancreas will release high amounts of insulin to move the sugar from the bloodstream to the inside of the cells. Avoid eating low glycemic index foods to keep your blood sugar smooth and spare your pancreas. Watch the Low GI Made simple video on the Lesson 2 page. The small intestine When your meal is crushed, kneaded, laden with enzymes, hormones and bile, it is finally ready to be absorbed. The small intestine is a long tube lined with a sensitive mucosa and strong smooth muscles. Molecules have to cross this barrier, whose role is also to prevent pathogen from entering our bloodstream. The gut lining is a major threshold, much like the skin, where the external environment is separated from our internal milieu. It takes 6 to 8 hours for a meal to travel along the small intestine. The large intestine The large intestine is host to a varied multitude of beneficial bacteria. Together they form the gut flora, whose composition is shaped by our diet, our exposition to antibiotics and whether we were birthed vaginally and breastfed. These bacteria catalyze the absorption of nutrients and put the last touch to digestion. A healthy, thriving gut flora is the key to many body functions like immunity response and mood regulation. The rectum The last stop for our food before the exit is the rectum, where feces are stored before departing for the toilet. The Ayurvedic Perspective In Ayurveda, the digestive system is the seat of Agni, the digestive fire. The strength and vitality of agni commands the bodys health and nourishment. Agni is our biological fire, the life force driving us and our appetite for life. In order to keep the digestive system working smooth, ayurvedic herbalists recommend all kinds of warming herbs. Most of the carminative herbs are also warming. Not all warming herbs are the same though: some of them have other properties that make them unique in the treatment of specific conditions. Some are very warming. Some are very gentle. Potency of the warming herbs
Agni, our beloved internal fire, burns ama, our body waste. In Ayurveda, every single disease is caused or aggravated by ama. Ama is the sum of all our toxins, either waste from metabolic processes or the result of exposure to chemicals in our environment. When a fire burns proud and tall, it reduces the wood to a fine powder and produces no soot. The same happens in our body. A strong agni means little to no ama. Ayurveda put forward many interesting theories on the functioning of the body. Its strength lies in a simple language that strikes the imagination. It makes complete sense to picture digestion as a fire, as it provides energy by degrading matter. Picturing yourself caring for your digestion as a fire keeper might seem easier than monitoring your levels of HCl and enzymes. Fenugreek Turmeric Cinnamon Ginger Pepper Cayenne Ayurveda, TCM and other energy systems of medicine have a unique perspective to contribute. Ayurvedic herbs are not any more magic than the herbs that grow in your backyard. TCM herbs are not more powerful than the ones that grow in Beiruti sidewalk cracks. Traditional medicine systems provide a unique view inside the body that makes health a friendly, familiar subject to ponder and discuss in a simple language.
The Astringent Herbs Herbs that tone and tighten body tissues. Astringent herbs are extremely useful herbs as tonics because of their ability to restore the tone and the defense barrier of tissue. Tea leaf Camellia sinensis is a good example of an astringent herb: its tightening effect on the tissue of the mouth is undeniable. Astringent herbs are used when there is excessive bleeding in the reproductive system, excessive mucus production in the respiratory system or to heal wounds and the digestive lining. They work best when extracted in water, either as a local bath for wounds or tea for digestive and reproductive problems. Indications Diarrhea, mucus in the stools, parasites, gastro enteritis Excessive vaginal discharge, heavy menstrual bleeding, menstrual cramps and inflammation Burns, cuts and wounds Excessive mucous discharge in cold and flus, bronchitis, sinusitis and other respiratory infections Damaged gut lining Contraindications Astringent herbs are mild, but a long-term consumption can impair digestive assimilation. Be sure not use them for periods of more than 3 weeks at a time. Astringent herbs Tea leaf Camellia sinensis Raspberry leaf Rubus idaeus Plantain leaf Plantago majoris Yarrow flower and leaf Achillea millefolium Rose petal Rosa spp. The Bitter Herbs Herbs that sti mulate digestive function and t he metabolism. Bitter herbs are digestive stimulant. When we taste the bitter taste, may it be the unbearable bitterness of gentian or the milder taste of dandelion, a domino effect is set in motion. The salivary glands release saliva. The stomach releases acid. The pancreas releases enzymes and blood sugar balancing hormones. The gallbladder releases bile. The whole body sighs in relief, and the mind is relaxed. This releasing cascade causes many things in the body: first the metabolism is nudged and second the digestion is remarkably improved, increasing food absorption, clearing constipation and sluggish digestion. With the releasing of these substances also comes the releasing of toxins: bitter herbs are excellent detoxifying herbs. They also do well against many gynecological troubles that take root in hormonal imbalances, such as PMS and irregular cycles. Because their impact is so wide, bitter herbs are of great help to heal chronic disease at their root. Taste them before and after meals for increased effectiveness. Pills and capsules wont do the trick: this is medicine that needs to be tasted to be effective. See the recipes section for a bitter tincture recipe. Indications Constipation, slow digestion, bloating, gastric reflux, sleepiness after meals PMS, irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, sugar cravings Acne, black heads, eczema Loss of appetite, anorexia, convalescence Irritability, difficulty to let go, excessive anger and resentment Contraindications Bitter herbs are contraindicated during pregnancy. They should also be avoided in the case of gallbladder or kidney stones. Diabetic people that use synthetic insulin will need to adjust doses, as bitter herbs, like insulin, have a hypoglycemic effect. Bitter herbs Rhubarb root Rheum palmatum Chamomile flower Matricaria recutita Gentian root Gentiana lutea Artichoke leaf Cynara scolymus Dandelion root Taraxacum officinale Plant profile Rhubarb Latin : Rheum palmatum Arabi c: Part used: root Actions Bitter Laxative Astringent Hypoglycemic
Indications Rhubarb root is a very bitter root used for bitter deficiency syndrome as well as constipation. It is perfect for the treatment of occasional constipation, as it strongly stimulates the gallbladder while toning the mucosa of the gut. This special astringent and bitter combination has a detoxifying action. It will also act as a good blood sugar regulator, helping to curb sugar cravings. Detox Constipation Atonic liver and gallbladder Dyspepsia Sugar cravings Contraindications Rhubarb, though it is astringent, is very bitter and as such does not suit diarrhea treatment. People with gallbladder stone will have to avoid it too, and people with diabetes will have to pay a closer attention to their blood sugar because of rhubarbs hypoglycemic effect. Like all bitter, it is not advised during pregnancy. Preparation You can take 1 to 2 mL of alcohol based tincture up to twice a day. A decoction is good too, but do not sweeten it and avoid capsules. Remember: the bitter taste has to be tasted to be effective.