Digestive Problems in Menopause: are Herbal Remedies Good for the Gut?

Digestive problems in Menopause are yet another symptom. What about Herbal Remedies for the Gut?

Gas, bloating, and stomach issues in perimenopause or menopause? Are digestive enzymes better than digestive bitters?

In this episode, clinical herbalist Correne Omland, and I, discuss:

Indirect symptoms of digestive issues
Two categories of herbs that will support your digestion in Menopause: bitters and carminatives.
The difference between digestive bitters and carminatives.
The difference between digestive bitters and digestive enzymes.
How herbs support you in shifting pillars of health.
Antimicrobial herbal support: do herbs help with parasites, and where so you start? By building the digestive system.
The ritual of teas.
The Gut Brain Connection.

Correne describes herbs as the “friend that walks with
you through challenging times”.

Episode Highlights

While I love the non diet approach for the shift away from outside parameters of health, and calorie counting, I also believe that certain supplements are wonderful adjuncts to a vital and full life.

I also believe in the education and integration of systems, and looking at the person, the whole person, and their life, while looking at the body.

We’ve been trained to compartmentalize our health. Are you looking at your digestive symptoms on their own, without connecting them to other systems?

Correne and I briefly discuss this foundation and its connection to other systems.

Digestive Herbs

What are Bitters?
I love digestive bitters for menopause. Correne sheds light on the difference between digestive bitters and digestive enzymes. Bitters work differently than digestive enzymes. Bitters help the body to produce what we should be producing, which is digestive enzymes. Digestive enzymes REPLACE what the body should be producing on its own.

Correne starts slowly with bitters, as you may not be used to the taste.

What are Carminatives?
Plants high in essential oils are called carminatives. Peppermint, catnip, yarrow, hyssop, chamomile, ginger, all can help decrease gas, cramping, nausea, and increase secretions, in the mouth and the rest of the digestive system. Thyme and rosemary also fall into this category.

This is critical for proper food digestion.

Some carminatives have some heat, like cayenne pepper.

What are Demulcents?
Demulcents are plants that are slimy. they produce mucilage. This is helpful to the lining of the digestive tract. When they come into contact with digestive tissues, they soothe the tissues. This is why demulcents are good for inflammation of the upper digestive tract. *Caution in combining some herbs in the demulcent category with medications*

A great example of an herb in this category is marshmallow root.

We also touch on trends, sustainable harvesting, and responsible purchase of herbs.

Correne makes all her own herbal remedies by wild harvesting, growing on her own property, and ethical purchasing.

The gut-brain connection influences your DIGESTION as well, and this is a topic of an upcoming episode. A therapeutic cup of tea can be a self care practice, that gets you into a rest and digest state in your nervous system.

Why is this important? If you are stressed, you will not assimilate nutrients. Your nervous system is turned OFF. When you are in a state of stress, your body is in a state of survival, and not worried about digesting food.

Herbs, and mindful eating can help with digestion!

Did this episode and blog help you? Would you share it in your favorite place, like Pinterest, Instagram or Facebook? Rates and reviews on iTunes also help other menopausal women find support along their journey!