Herbal Remedies For Digestive Disorder

About 20 percent of Americans are diagnosed with digestive disorders each year, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. These disorders range from minor stomach aches to more-serious, chronic problems such as colon cancer and Crohn's disease. The causes of these diseases are often unknown; however, contributing factors often include stress, fatigue and poor dietary choices.

Demulcent Herbs

Demulcents soothe inflammation on the surfaces of the lining of the throat, stomach and intestines. This category of herbs includes slippery elm, marshmallow and aloe. These herbs may be useful for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and acid reflux disease, according to nutritionist Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescrption for Nutritional Healing."

Bitter Herbs

Bitters stimulate the appetite when tasted by signaling the taste buds to release saliva and digestive juices. This action improves enzyme production and nutrient absorption and relieves gas. Bitter herbs can be used to treat digestive disorders including constipation, chronic diarrhea and celiac disease, according to Balch. This category of herbs includes chamomile, dandelion, calendula and yellow dock.

Carminative Herbs

Carminatives clear up gas and bloating with ailments such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or a peptic ulcer. Stomach bloating can be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome, gastroparesis (delayed emptying of the stomach) or Crohn's disease, according to John's Hopkins University. Carminatives include herbs such as peppermint, cardamom, fennel and ginger.

Anti-Emetic Herbs

Anti-emetic herbs treat vomiting or nausea. This category of herbs includes black horehound, lemon balm and ginger. Ginger is also used to treat motion sickness, according to "The Herb Companion," chemotherapy-induced nausea and post-operative nausea. Pregnancy is a condition that often requires anti-emitic herbs, but only ginger has been shown in clinical trials to be effective in treating pregnancy induced nausea and vomiting, according to a study published in the February 2004 "Complementary Therapies in Nursing and Midwifery" led by Rachel Westfall from the University of Victoria, Canada.