It is estimated that approximately 62 million Americans experience digestive problems on an ongoing basis. This is due to the damaging repercussions of the standard American diet on our population, coupled with the high level of stress experienced by the average American. Digestive problems can range from minor discomforts like gas and bloating to life-threatening conditions like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, constant diarrhea, and various types of cancers that attack the digestive organs. Be that as it may, it is always worth being proactive with our digestive health. The information in this article on acupuncture and natural therapies should definitely point you in the right direction, not only with your digestion but with your overall health as well. Let’s take a look at some common disorders and what can be done about them.
1. Constipation – The standard American diet can easily lead to chronic constipation. This diet is low in fiber and antioxidants and high in difficulty digesting additives and refined ingredients. Many, many people are constipated and don’t even know it. They may have regular bowel movements, but are not yet flushing their systems thoroughly, which creates intestinal toxicity. Intestinal cleansing is often a top priority in curing many chronic health problems. There are several natural herbal remedies and nutritional supplements that can relieve constipation and heal underlying imbalances.
Chinese herbal formulas such as ma zi ren wan and run chang wan are mild, non-habit forming laxatives.
Aloe vera juice reduces inflammation and promotes peristalsis (contraction of smooth muscle in the intestine).
- Triphala is an Ayurvedic herbal complex that gently relieves constipation and removes stagnant waste from the intestines.
- Psyllium husk is a high-fiber product that relieves constipation.
- Flax meal and flaxseed are excellent high-fiber sources for constipation. Senna leaf is useful for severe constipation.
2. Diarrhea: Chronic diarrhea can be dangerous to health. It remains one of the leading causes of death in the world. Diarrhea is related to a weak spleen or intestinal inflammation. It is always a priority of treatment to cure this condition. Stress and anxiety can trigger regular bouts of diarrhea, as can processed and refined foods. Here are some basic remedies for diarrhea:
Chinese herbal formulas such as bu zhong yi qi tang (ginseng and astragalus), si jun qi tang (4 gentlemen), liu jun zi tang (6 gentlemen), and jin gui shen qi tang (rehmannia 8) are helpful in relieving diarrhea due to oh deficiency. Tong xie yao feng, Isatis Cooling, and jia wei xiao yao wan are helpful for diarrhea due to heat and inflammation.
Western herbs like slippery elm, chamomile, peppermint, and ginger harmonize and soothe the stomach to stop diarrhea.
Probiotics such as acidophilus are useful as long-term adjuncts in the treatment of diarrhea.
3. Bloating and Gas: These symptoms tend to arise from eating too much or too fast, excessive stress, refined foods, coffee and alcohol, and sugar. In addition to slowing down and eating less of these foods, here are some herbal suggestions:
4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome: IBS is a very common problem that affects millions of Americans. Doctors often diagnose IBS when the patient’s symptoms don’t seem to match anything else, which is why they call it irritable bowel. This disorder is characterized by bowel movements ranging from constipation to diarrhea with intermittent abdominal pain or bloating. People with IBS tend to be sensitive to a variety of foods, including high-fiber foods, refined sugar, wheat, and gluten-containing products. Symptoms can continue indefinitely and may be resistant to conventional treatments. I have treated several IBS patients, usually with very positive results. Acupuncture theory states that IBS generally involves a disharmony between the liver and spleen. The liver becomes overactive due to stress, anger, and frustration, causing the spleen to weaken, leading to loose stools and fatigue. Treatment consists of relaxing the liver and strengthening the spleen.
Herbal formulas such as Irritease from K’An Herbals and Isatis Cooling from Health Concerns have proven helpful. In general, I recommend committing to weekly acupuncture and herbal treatment for 4-8 visits, depending on the severity and duration of symptoms.
Most digestive disorders respond very well to constant acupuncture and herbal treatment. Making dietary changes that restore and detoxify the gut also improves the progress of treatment. Digestion is one of the main benchmarks for measuring overall health. If there are weaknesses or imbalances here, one’s overall health is likely to be compromised. Maintaining healthy digestion is an essential component in our quest for optimal health.
I should mention that for those of you suffering from Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or colon cancer, it is definitely best to seek professional alternative and allopathic medical treatment. These diseases are simply too involved to offer general solutions in this article. There are many powerful natural remedies for these ailments, but their application is specific to your unique needs.
