Digestive problems

If eating is a pleasure, digesting can be a trial, especially if too much food has been eaten or if the diet is unbalanced. ‘Dyspepsia’ (from the Greek dys-, difficult, and pepsis, digestion) is the general term used to indicate digestive problems and refers to numerous symptoms caused by alterations of the digestive process (nausea, slow digestion, burning, a heavy stomach, post-prandial somnolence, belching, bloating, halitosis).

There are two types of dyspepsia: hyposthenic (slow digestion, a heavy stomach, post-prandial somnolence) and hypersthenic dyspepsia (burning, painful cramps). Persistent digestive disorders require clinical and instrumental tests to exclude organic lesions (e.g. gastroduodenal ulcer).

The most common causes of digestive problems are excessive stress, meals eaten in too much of a hurry, and the incomplete mastication of foods.

Digestion-friendly plants
To avoid or counter digestive disorders, we must know how to choose helpful medicinal plants, such as Rosemary, Artichoke, Milk Thistle, Lemon Balm, Liquorice, Boldo, Gentian, Rhubarb.

Rosemary, in particular, used in the kitchen as an aromatic herb, is a powerful tonic, able to support the stomach’s activity and, to a lesser extent, that of the liver. Boldo, a tree originating from Chile, is one of the large number of natural remedies that help and protect the liver. This activity is due to boldin, which facilitates the contraction of the gallbladder, increasing the production and elimination of bile juices. The hepatoprotective properties of Milk Thistle seeds have been known for many centuries and are due to silymarin, an active ingredient that protects liver cells from all kinds of aggressions (viruses, medicine, heavy metals, excess fat). Dried extract of Liquorice, thanks to the high content of glycyrrhizin, is a powerful anti-inflammatory and protects the stomach’s mucosa; it is, therefore, used in the treatment of pain caused by gastritis and gastroduodenal ulcers. Gentian root is one of the most bitter known phytocomplexes, able to stimulate the production of gastric juices and, thus, encourage digestion.

Digerisco, Digersol Stop-Acid

Specchiasol offers Digerisco, a preparation with medicinal herbs (Milk Thistle, Artichoke, Rosemary, Lemon Balm, Rhubarb, Gentian, Aniseed, Mint) to encourage digestion. It is recommended to take 1-2 tablets after the main meals, as needed, to be dissolved in the mouth.

To counter excessive gastric acidity and restore balance to the secretion of gastric juices, Specchiasol recommends Digersol Stop-Acid, with calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, Emblic, Lemon Verbena, Fennel, Bay Laurel, Basil, Sweet Orange. Dissolve 1 tablet in the mouth after the main meals or as needed.

Written by Bruno Brigo, Doctor, specialised in Internal Medicine and Rehabilitation, author of several books on Integrative Medicine