Herbal Medicine can certainly help and a qualified Herbalist will have been specifically trained to identify and deal with these conditions. Treatment will include careful analysis of your medical history, nutritional status and lifestyle habits. You will definitely be given a diet sheet and, if necessary, a course of herbal medicine with appropriate supplements. Your GP will be kept informed of your progress, if you wish. It is often helpful to combine different therapies, and taking up Yoga is strongly recommended.
The first thing to note is how it first started and what triggers an attack. Many people can't remember, as usually it has gradually worsened over many years. One of the major causes is stress, which again may have been building up for months or even years. When we are stressed, certain hormones are released which cause the digestive system to close down or become taut. Remember the 'butterflies' in the tummy before an important event?
Another obvious cause is diet. Dairy foods may aggravate the condition, and foods which create acid in the system, such as meat, wheat products, saturated fats (animal and palm oil derived) and some fruits, so these should be cut down or avoided altogether, and, of course, you may be allergic to certain foods. Also, it is so important to sit down and relax over your meal, even if it's just a banana! Digestion starts in the mouth, so chew, chew, chew before you swallow.
Whilst ant-acid tablets and formulas can be helpful occasionally, long term use will have the opposite effect. I would advise taking meadowsweet - flowers and leaves - as a tea or fluid extract, as it does not interfere with the stomach juices so radically. Adding a mint leaf will take away the bitter taste and also be beneficial. Aloe Vera juice helps to calm the intestines, as does peppermint oil capsules (enteric coated so that they reach the bowel intact), but these are rather symptomatic and don't suit everyone. Amongst other risk factors are lack of exercise, smoking, alcohol abuse and heredity.
As you can see, there are many reasons why people develop these ailments, and many more which cannot be covered in this space. There is much you can do yourself without resorting to pills, but please consult a professional if you have a serious condition.
As usual, please email me if you have any queries. Email: bett.les@virgin.net
Previous Topics:
Email:- bett.les@virgin.net