Supporting Digestion With Herbs

I had many mornings where I would wake up wondering if it would be a good gut day or a bad gut day. My digestive issues took over my life and were all-consuming. I began digging for answers and was determined to fix my gut once and for all. 

I never would have thought that my health would be better in my 30s than it was in my 20s. Through proper nutrition, lifestyle, mindset and supplementation, I was able to reclaim my health. To be honest with you, I waited too long to take control of my health. I dealt with the pain for many years. I even told myself the digestive flare-ups were just part of my life now.

I assumed there wasn’t anything I could do to change things and I spent years feeling miserable. I missed out on some amazing opportunities. I waited and waited. I wished, I prayed and hoped but I never took action.

Then came the day that I hit my breaking point and had enough of accepting illness as my destiny. I quit my full-time job and went back to school to study Holistic Nutrition to learn to heal myself. While I was studying at school, I learned about the power of food, mindset, lifestyle, supplements and even herbs. I became fascinated with this new information and began applying it to my life right away. I spent the next few years determined to reclaim my health. One baby step at a time. And guess what? I did heal.

One of the areas I particularly became interested in was herbal medicine. Did you know that there are over a hundred herbs and spices that can be consumed or used topically for healing? These natural foods possess many beneficial properties and can support a reduction in inflammation, a boost in the immune system and even support digestive health. Digestive herbal supplements helped me along the way and I wanted to share a few of my favourites from Pascoe Canada. These products are also gluten-free and safe for those with celiac disease! 

PASCOE CANADA DIGESTIVE SUPPLEMENTS

MARKOFRUCT – PREBIOTIC 

When I was a kid, there were some years that I was on 4+ antibiotics in one year. Antibiotics can be lifesaving, however, they disrupt the gut microbiome by removing some of the beneficial bacteria. I began to take probiotics to rebalance my gut. These beneficial bacteria also require food and their food is called prebiotics. Prebiotics are fibres humans can’t digest but probiotics love to feast on. Together, they create a healthy gut microbiome. A few examples of prebiotics are bananas, asparagus, garlic and onions. 

Along with prebiotic foods, the supplement, Markofruct can be helpful to the gut microbiome as it is a prebiotic. Markofruct contains inulin from chicory which is a dietary fibre used to improve bowel functions and gut health. Studies show how important prebiotics are for the gut microbiome. (1)

This prebiotic supplement supports the healthy balance of bacteria in the gut. It also has a positive effect on metabolism and enhances the body’s natural immune defence. Prebiotics helps to protect against some bacterial pathogens, particularly in the large intestine.

Markofruct contains chamomile which is soothing to the intestinal lining. Chamomile is a powerful digestive relaxant and can be used for various gastrointestinal disturbances such as gas, acid reflux, indigestion, diarrhea, motion sickness, nausea and vomiting. (2)

Chamomile’s vital antioxidants are found in the plant’s potent oils and are the main contributors to its natural healing properties. The oil contains anodyne compounds which are anti-spasmodic and can reduce cramping and constipation.

Why do I love prebiotics?

1. Better gut health and improved digestion
2. Enhanced immune function
3. Reduced risk for heart disease
4. Help with weight loss/weight maintenance
5. Lower inflammation
6. Hormone regulation and improved moods
7. Protection of bone health

AMARA PASCOE  – HERBAL DIGESTIVE BITTER

One area that I struggled with for many years was chronic bloating. Bloating can be painful, uncomfortable and embarrassing.

There are several causes for bloating but common causes can be a lack of stomach acid, bile and pancreatic enzymes. These are essential for breaking food down. If the food does not breakdown, bacteria ferment causing gas and bloating. 

Many individuals have low stomach acid and this can make them more susceptible to parasites and bad bacteria in the gut. 

Pascoe Canada’s Amara blend is a herbal digestive bitter to help release stomach acid, increase bile flow and digestive enzymes to support digestive function. Herbal digestive bitters also support the liver to slow the rate that sugar enters the bloodstream. Herbal digestive bitters may also increase the absorption of nutrients and support your immune system.

This herbal digestive bitter blend is perfect to help reduce bloating and other gastrointestinal disturbances. The best time to use digestive bitters is 15 – 30 minutes before consuming a meal. Herbal digestive bitters will stimulate the production of bile and prime your stomach and digestive system for efficient digestion. 

Amara herbal digestive bitters contains the following herbs:

Cinchona: Stimulates appetite by promoting the secretion of digestive juices. The bitter compounds, alkaloids and quinovin, encourage the release of saliva and improve digestive function. It can also help to relieve bloating.

Gentian: Increases digestive juices and digestive enzymes which will help with indigestion and gas. 

Bitter Orange: Used to stimulate appetite and aid in digestion. It also supports the liver and gastric-juice deficiencies. Other uses for this herb include helping with indigestion, low stomach acidity and heartburn. 

Cinnamon Bark: Known for its calming effect on the body to aid in the digestion of fats and to settle indigestion. It is also a powerful anti-inflammatory herb that promotes intestinal motility. It can assist with loss of appetite, bloating gas and mild cramping.

Why do I love digestive bitters?

• Supports digestive function
• Helps to increase bile flow
• Stimulates appetite
• Relieves digestive disturbances and dyspepsia
• Helps with loss of appetite, bloating, and sluggish digestion
  
  

LEGAPAS – GENTLE CONSTIPATION RELIEF

Did you know 70 million people suffer from digestive issues?

This is a very sad statistic but just because something is common, does not make it normal.

Many people struggle with bloating, constipation, diarrhea, cramping and inflammation. Autoimmune diseases are on the rise and there is a direct link to the gut! Many people don’t realize how good they are supposed to feel. I was like this for many years. 

One of the common complaints I see within my nutrition practice is chronic constipation. 

A great way to determine if you are eliminating properly is to try the beet test. The beet test is a simple way to test your transit time. To test, consume ½ raw beet and wait 12-24 hours to see if you are eliminating properly. If it takes 24 hours or longer to see the beet, this means you have a slow transit time otherwise known as constipation. Ideally, we should be eliminating a minimum of once a day, or at most three times. 

It is important to get to the root cause of your chronic constipation. Some common causes of constipation can be poor diet, stress, food sensitivities, lack of fibre, inactivity, certain medications, imbalance of gut bacteria, thyroid, hormonal issues, magnesium deficiency, and lack of sleep.

While you are working towards healing from the root cause, the herbal supplement Legapas can be helpful to relieve uncomfortable and painful constipation. 

Legapas is a gentle and natural constipation relief supplement that promotes peristalsis. It is well-tolerated and acts fast for relief within 6 to 12 hours. 

It can also work towards helping individuals who are straining to have a bowel movement, lumpy or hard stools and passing fewer than three stools a week. Legapas can help with bloating and feeling as though you have had an incomplete bowel movement.

The active ingredient in Legapas is called Cascara Sagrada fluid extract. Cascara is very gentle which results in fewer loose or watery stools. While encouraging bowel movements, cascara sagrada also tones the entire alimentary canal. It does so by increasing the secretions of the stomach, liver, and pancreas.

The toning effects of cascara help the bowels to function regularly. This means you do not have to frequently increase the dosage or use the herb long-term. Legapas cleanses the colon and strengthens the bowel. It also restores the muscular structure of the digestive tract. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Digestive issues can be frustrating, painful and can hold you back from living your life. 

Along with proper nutrition and lifestyle, Pascoe Canada’s herbal supplements can be excellent supporting tools to help on your gut healing journey. 

To learn more about Pascoe Canada’s products, visit their website here: https://www.pascoe.ca/