Many people have GI tract issues. Divirticulitis, gastritis, and crohn’s disease are a few, plus the usual constipation and others. Some herbs can be helpful for these and related issues. Tomorrow I will post more herbs helpful for similar GI tract issues.
Marshmallow Root
Properties: nutritive tonic, demulcent, expectorant, emollient, vulnerary, diuretic, laxative [NOT heavy duty]
Used for:
Dry cough, whooping cough, sore throat, laryngitis, respiratory tract infection, inflammatory conditions of the kidneys and bladder, gastritis, crohn’s disease, ulcers, infections, skin eruptions, constipation, hyperacidity, diarrhea, cuts and wounds, tissue wasting, general debility, malnutrition.
Marshmallow is mucilaginous and soothing to inflamed mucous membranes of the GI and urinary tract. It is a sweet, heavy, and nutritive tonic, pacifying to those with excess heart or dryness, and helpful in disorders of the GI tract including gastritis, peptic ulcer, diarrhea, constipation, ulcerative colitis, nd crohn’s disease, as it is soothing and healing to any damaged tissue. It can be used along with licorice. For constipation, it can be mixed with psyllium husks to enhace its effect.
To tonify the lungs, it can be taken with herbs such as mullein, licorice, comfrey root or elecampane. For bronchial congestion, it can be mixed with ginger, pippali, yerba santa, osha, or elecampane.
When DH went to our Dr (who is a naturopath) for a checkup, he mentioned he had travelling pains in the lower abdomen. After palpating the area, she deduced it was likely diverticulitis and recommended using Mashmallow root. She told us to use it thus, for one person:
1 Tablespoon shredded Marshmallow in one quart cold water, soak overnight. In the morning, strain and drink. He did that and felt much improved. Then he took a break, and he started up again recently but I’m splitting the quart with him as he doesn’t want that much. I’ve found that “going” is easier, and he does not have those pains any more. It has a very mild not unpleasant taste, and is just very mildly slippery, like slightly viscous water.
I ordered a pound of Marshmallow on Amazon, it’s not expensive, and a pound is huge as it is light and fluffy. I pack into a tablespoon as it is so fluffy.
https://www.amazon.com/Frontier-Co-op-Organic-Sifted-Marshmallow/dp/B009A7E4FQ/ref=sr_1_1_sspa
I told a good friend who has gastritis, and she has found it helpful. She is lax with herb taking, so I will remind her.
Thank you much 👍
If you have diverticulitis, doctors will generally just prescribe antibiotics and tell you to stop eating seeds and nuts.
Thank you!
Thanks, LJ!
Mark!!