Try Gentian Tincture For Heartburn, Acid Reflux & GERD

Try Gentian Tincture For Heartburn, Acid Reflux & GERD

Millions of people around the world suffer from acid reflux, heartburn and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). People often resort to antacids and if these don’t work then they may be prescribed proton pump inhibitors and acid blockers. These drugs are not without side effects and the most common one is depleting the body of many vitamins and minerals, referred to as nutrient malabsorption.

The herb Gentian, when used regularly,can help decrease the incidence and severity of the above concerns. Gentian is one of the best herbs for digestion as it enhances the body’s natural digestion process and does not work against it.

The digestive process begins with the secretion of saliva in the mouth to start the digestion of carbohydrates, as well as proteins to a lesser extent. The stomach produces hydrochloric acid to further break down proteins; the body, through its other glands, secretes various digestive enzymes from the gall bladder, liver and pancreas to further assist in the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. The stomach and the intestines engage in peristalsis, a rhythmic movement that ensures that every bit of food is in contact with digestive enzymes in order to maximise the nutrient availability from food.

Gentian is a very bitter herb, which is precisely why it works. When you eat something bitter, the first response is, in most cases, to spit it out. This is instinctively the body trying to protect itself from a potential poison. But if you do end up swallowing Gentian, then the body tries to eliminate it quickly by producing digestive enzymes to break it down and to encourage peristalsis. Gentian is not poisonous and the increase in digestive enzymes and movement in the gut helps to counter acid reflux, GERDs and heartburn by ensuring the complete breakdown of all food groups.

The best way of taking Gentian is slightly different from taking other herbal preparations. Whilst most other supplements are swallowed quickly, with Gentian you ideally need to use 15-30 drops in some water and sip the mixture slowly allowing its bitter action to stimulate salivary, stomach and intestinal digestive enzymes.

The Gentian supplement I tend to recommend is Yarrow Complex by A Vogel. This supplement contains wild crafted Gentian extract with the addition of several excellent digestion enhancing and soothing herbs such as Centaurium and Angelica. Angelica contains volatile oils that have an anti-inflammatory action on the digestive system, easing colic, wind and reducing flatulence. For those who cannot tolerate anything bitter, you can disguise the taste in some orange juice.

 

DISCLAIMER: The views, opinions and information expressed in this article and on Victoriahealth.com Ltd are those of the author(s) in an editorial context. Victoriahealth.com Ltd cannot be held responsible for any errors or for any consequences arising from the use of the information contained in this editorial or anywhere else on the site. Every effort is made by the editorial and content team to see that no inaccurate or misleading information, opinion or statement appear, nor replace or constitute endorsement from medical bodies or trials unless specified. Victoriahealth.com Ltd accept no liability for the consequences of any inaccurate or misleading data, information, opinion or statement. Information on Victoriahealth.com Ltd and in the editorials is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information on this website or in the editorials for diagnosing or treating a health concern or disease, or for the replacement of prescription medication or other treatment.