A reminder on IBS
IBS is characterised by symptoms including stomach pain, abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating and excessive flatulence. And many of these symptoms are thought to stem from weak digestion, the struggling functions of some of the key digestive organs such as the liver, plus dysbiosis in the gut. Well, this is where the herb yarrow can come in.
Why is Yarrow so helpful?
Firstly, yarrow is very bitter. Bitter herbs (often called digestive bitters) work by triggering taste receptors in your tongue to increase stomach acid and bile flow. (2) This also means it can help to help protect the balance of bacteria in the gut, another factor involved with IBS.
Yarrow is known as a hepatoprotective herb. (1) This means it protects the liver from toxins. By unburdening the liver, bitters help the liver, which is a key digestive organ, to work more efficiently.
Yarrow can also help with the symptoms of IBS because it can help stimulate the entire digestive tract, supporting the flow of digestive enzymes and bile which also helps to remove waste more efficiently, taking further pressure off the liver.
At the same time as being gently stimulating, Yarrow is a herb, so it also has very calming and overall balancing effecting, therefore it can also offer anti-spasmodic actions which can help with the cramping or abdominal discomfort symptoms associated with IBS. (2)
Finally, it’s anti-inflammatory and healing. Research shows it can be astringent and toning and in this way healing for issues associated with IBS such as leaky gut.
References
1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23959026/
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17704978/
