Living With Inflammatory Gut Conditions
If you suffer from a gut disorder, you have firsthand experience as to how it negatively affects many aspects of your life. You often experience extreme diarrhea or constipation, which can lead to malnutrition. Pain and significant discomfort is involved. Typically a leaky gut is also a factor. But take heart! Pain, inflammation, motility issues, and gut health can be significantly improved through the use of select medicinal herbs. See below for herbs for Crohn’s and IBS.
Crohn’s Disease, IBS, and Leaky Gut
Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune, inflammatory bowel disease that involves ongoing inflammation in the digestive tract. It causes significant diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, poor nutrient absorption, weight loss, and cramping. It affects over 780,000 Americans, largely between the ages of 15 and 35. Crohn’s disease often has a genetic component, however environmental factors may also be a component as the rates of the condition are higher in developed countries, cities, and northern climates. As with most health disorders, stress aggravates the condition. It tends to affect men more than women.
While similar to Crohn’s disease in symptoms, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is not an autoimmune disorder. Doctors suspect the condition may be caused by bacteria in the small intestine that causes gas from the fermentation of food, which disrupts motility and can involve either diarrhea (IBS-D) or constipation (IBS-C). Imbalanced gut flora, food intolerance, carbohydrate malabsorption, and abdominal pain that occurs for at least 3 days per month are all symptoms of the disorder. It can be triggered by hormonal fluctuations, stress, and other factors. On average, women have the condition more so than men.
A leaky gut will inflame both conditions. Poor diet, diverticulitis, parasites or exposure to environmental toxins are involved in the development of a leaky gut. You can learn more about this common ailment in my post, “Fertilize Your Gut? You Bet! Here’s How.”
Herbal Relief for Crohn’s and IBS
Interested in trying the following six medicinal herbs?
Each is found in my potent Balanced/Leaky Gut Tincture.
A number of digestive disorders respond well to turkey tail — including Crohn’s disease and IBS. This mushroom is known to support healthy gut flora through prebiotic effects on the gut’s microbiome by feeding beneficial bacteria and controlling the overgrowth of candida. Another medicinal mushroom that is helpful is lion’s mane due to its anti-inflammatory and soothing effects on the gut. Reishi is outstanding for Crohn’s disease because of its immune modulating properties. It addresses leaky gut and inflammation as well.
Plantain is also an exceptional anti-inflammatory. Additionally, it has a calming effect on the mucous membranes, helping to alleviate leaky gut symptoms. Then there is marshmallow and slippery elm, two herbal remedies that form a protective layer over the gut, allowing for it to heal. Slippery elm addresses stomach pain, while marshmallow has a mild laxative effect that may be beneficial for those with IBS-C. Many have found these herbs for IBS and Crohn’s extremely helpful when this tincture is taken 3x/day.
Not all Tinctures are the Same
As with any herbal product, quality is key. This is why I use the most advanced extraction processes, including a spagyric method for each tincture with the addition of dual-extraction for medicinal mushrooms. But that’s not all. I also utilize the mushroom fruiting bodies exclusively — without fillers or mycelium — to yield the most potent medicinal product on the market.
Visit the apothecary today to learn more about how you can benefit from my Balanced/Leaky Gut blend and other formulations.
Wishing you the best in health!
Nicole Apelian
