Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is renowned for aiding digestion.

Ref Haller JS :a drug for all seasons medical and pharmacological history of Aloe.Bull NY Acad Sci 66,647-657,1990

Golan R. Optimal Wellness. New York: Ballantine Books, 1995, 373-4.

Milk Thistle

The dried fruit of milk thistle contain a flavonoid complex known as silymarin. This constituent is responsible for the benefits of the plant which include protection of the cells of the liver by blocking the entrance of harmful toxins and helping remove these toxins from the liver cells. As with other bioflavonoids, silymarin is a powerful antioxidant. Silymarin has also been shown to regenerate injured liver cells.

Faulstich H, Jahn W, Wieland T. Silibinin inhibition of amatoxin uptake in the perfused rat liver. Arzneim-Forsch Drug Res 1980;30:452-4.

Kenneth Flora M.D, Martin Hahn M.D, Hugo Rosen M.D, Kent Benner M.D (1998) Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) for the Therapy of Liver Disease The American Journal of Gastroenterology 93 (2), 139-143.

Tuchweber B, Sieck R, Trost W. Prevention by silibinin of phalloidin induced hepatotoxicity. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 1979;51:265-75.

Sonnenbichler J, Zetl I. Stimulating influence of a flavonolignan derivative on proliferation, RNA synthesis and protein synthesis in liver cells. In Assessment and Management of Hepatobiliary Disease, ed. L Okolicsanyi, G Csomos, G Crepaldi. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1987, 265-72. Schuppan D, Strösser W, Burkard G, Walosek G. Legalon® lessens fibrosing activity in patients with chronic liver diseases. Zeits Allgemeinmed 1998;74:577-84.

Salmi HA, Sama S. Effect of silymarin on chemical, functional and morphological alterations of the liver. Scand J Gastroenterol 1982;17:517-21.

Pre-Biotic (Inulin)

Many people have now heard of pro-biotics that replenish levels of good bacteria in the gut, but pre-biotics actually rebuild remaining ‘friendly’ bacteria by feeding them.

Inulin can be only partially digested by humans. When Inulin is consumed, it is the undigested portion that serves as food for "friendly" bacteria.

Clinical studies have shown that administering Inulin can increase the number of these friendly bacteria in the colon while simultaneously reducing the population of harmful bacteria. Other benefits noted with Inulin include increased production of beneficial short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate and improved elimination of toxic compounds.

Nahrung. 1987;31(5-6):427-36. Effect of fructo-oligosaccharides on intestinal microflora.

Molis C, Flourie B, Ouarne F, et al. Digestion, excretion, and energy value of fructooligosaccharides in healthy humans. Am J Clin Nutr 1996;64:324-8.

Gibson GR, Beaty ER, Cummings JH. Selective stimulation of bifidobacteria in the human colon by oligofructose and inulin. Gastroenterology 1995;108:975-82.

Bouhnik Y, Flourie B, D’Agay-Abensour L, et al. Administration of transgalacto-oligosaccharides increases fecal bifidobacteria and modifies colonic fermentation metabolism in healthy humans. J Nutr 1997;127:444-8.

Bhounik Y, Vahedi K, Achour L, et al. Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharide administration dose-dependently increases fecal bifidobacteria in healthy humans. J Nutr 1999;129:113-6.

Tomomatsu H. Health effects of oligosaccharides. Food Technology 1994;October:61-5.

Ginger

Ginger is considered a tonic for the digestive tract, stimulating digestion and toning the intestinal muscles. This action eases the transport of substances through the digestive tract, lessening irritation to the intestinal walls.

Bradley PR (ed). British Herbal Compendium, vol 1. Bournemouth, Dorset, UK: British Herbal Medicine Association, 1992, 112-4.

Yamahara J, Huang QR, Li YH, et al. Gastrointestinal motility enhancing effect of ginger and its active constituents. Chem Pharm Bull 1990;38:430-1.

Artichoke

Artichoke is used in many countries for indigestion due to its ability to stimulate bile. Artichoke has also been shown to reduce abdominal pain and constipation.

Kirchoff R, Beckers CH, Kirchoff GM, et al. Increase of choleresis by means of artichoke extract. Phytomedicine 1994;1:107-15.

Fintelmann V. Antidyspeptic and lipid-lowering effect of artichoke leaf extract. Zeitschrift fur Allgemeinmed 1996;72(Suppl 2):3-19.