Gastrointestinal System Herbs

This page includes herbs that exhibit actions on the GI such as: carminative, bitter tonic, stomachic, astringent, choleretic, laxative, demulcent, anti-nauseant etc. The herbs listed here do not fall under all of these categories; with each herb I have included what its main action would be on the GI system, but many of these herbs have more effects on this system, and on many other systems in the body. It’s also important to note that many digestive issues have been abetted with non-herbal interventions such as a whole food diet, movement between meals, or a cessation of ingesting inflammatory foods (such as dairy, gluten, and nightshades). Please see the Materia Medica page, or Teas & Guides, for more information on specific herbal actions.

A

Actaea racemosa - hemorrhoids

Agrimonia spp. - astringent, mild GI antiseptic

Allium sativum - carminative

Aloe vera - demulcent, laxative

Althaea officinalis - demulcent

Anemopsis californica - bitter, astringent to GI tissues

B

C

Calendula officinalis - healing to GI lining

Capsicum annuum - carminative

Carum carvi - aromatic carminative

Cichorium intybus - gut micobiome (inulin)

D

E

Equisetum arvense - toning to gut lining (high doses are toxic)

F

Filipendula ulmaria - demulcent, stomachic

Foeniculum vulgare - carminative

G

Gentiana lutea - choleretic/cholagogue, pure bitter tonic

Glycyrrhiza glabra - boarderline adaptogen, anti-ulcer

Grindelia spp. - bitter digestive stimulant

H

Hydrastis canadensis - cholagogue, bitter tonic

I

Inula helenium - gut microbiome (inulin)

J

K

L

M

Matricaria recutita - carminative

Mentha piperita (Mentha X piperita) - carminative

Monarda fistulosa, M. didyma, other spp. - carminative/bitter tonic

N

O

P

Q

Quercus spp. - astringent

R

Rhamnus purshiana - Stimulant laxative

Rumex crispus - mild laxative