Читать книгу Holistic Herbal: A Safe and Practical Guide to Making and Using Herbal Remedies - David Hoffmann - Страница 103

A very common—though frequently unrecognised—condition is a diminished ability of the small intestine to absorb food in general or specific components, like minerals. This can lead to symptoms of malnutrition, to apparent mineral or vitamin deficiencies, to anaemia and weight loss, to abdominal pain or to a more insidious state of vague ill-health.

Most commonly the malabsorption stems from an allergic reaction to particular foods which leads to problems in the lining of the intestine wall. The allergic reaction might be extreme and obvious, as in the case of coeliac disease due to a strong allergy to gluten, or it can take a mild form and not produce obvious symptoms. But in any case of suspected malabsorption, it is always worth removing potential allergens from the diet. A complete list of potential allergens would include any food, as everything can trigger an allergic reaction, but the majority of cases are found to be caused by just four types of food. The gluten-containing foods should be avoided. They include primarily all products made from wheat. Another major cause for allergic reactions is milk and milk products, like cheese and butter. Sugar and foods rich in sugar should also be considered, as should eggs. Eliminate these foods from your diet for a number of weeks and see if anything changes. If so, leave the food that is causing the allergy out of your diet; if not, see if your diet contains other foods you might suspect, like coffee or tea, or tomatoes. It is worth experimenting for a while to find out.

Herbal remedies can help to soothe, heal and renew the lining of the intestine. Demulcents like Comfrey Root, Marshmallow Root and Slippery Elm will soothe the mucous membranes. Anti-inflammatory herbs, such as Wild Yam and Meadowsweet, should be considered as well as astringents like Bayberry, Agrimony and Meadowsweet. Carminatives such as Cardamon, Chamomile and Hops will be invaluable, with the last two also acting as relaxing nervines. It may be necessary to guard against infection, thus Echinacea would be used. For more serious problems in this category, such as Coeliac syndrome or Crohn’s disease, seek the help of a qualified practitioner.