Stomachic

Stomachic herbs promote appetite, support healthy digestion and are traditionally used for symptoms such as low appetite, mild indigestion or sluggish digestion.

They act via stimulating gastric secretions, enhancing digestive enzyme release and modulating the motility of the digestive tract to improve digestion and support nutrient absorption. The mechanisms vary between increasing gastric fluids and protecting the gastric cells by antioxidant activity, or by increasing circulation to the gut and supporting the integrity of the mucosal cells.

Examples of stomachics include psyllium husk (Plantago ovata) or meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria).