Digestive
Reflux, IBS, dyspepsia, bowel habit, hemorrhoids.
- GERD / HeartburnReflux of gastric contents. Plants are mucosal adjuncts — not PPI substitutes.5
- IBSGut–brain disorder. Enteric peppermint oil has the cleanest plant file; subtype drives fiber vs oil.6
- Functional dyspepsiaEpigastric discomfort after appropriate evaluation. Bitters and carminatives, not ulcer drugs.5
- Chronic constipationFiber and fluids first. Stimulant anthraquinones are short-course only.3
- Bloating / gasCarminatives after you have thought about SIBO, constipation, and FODMAPs.4
- Mild gastritisAfter H. pylori and ulcer are addressed. Demulcents are comfort care.4
- Nausea (non-acute)Ginger has the nausea trial file. Acute abdomen and pregnancy testing still come first.3
- NAFLD / metabolic liver fatWeight and metabolic care dominate. Milk thistle is not a disease-modifying NAFLD drug.3
- HemorrhoidsSoften stool and stop straining. Witch hazel is comfort. This is not a thrombosed-pile procedure.4
- Acute nonspecific diarrheaORS first. Most viral gastroenteritis is self-limited. Plants are astringent comfort — not C. diff coverage.4
- Motion sicknessGinger has the plant RCT file. Timing matters. This is not posterior-circulation stroke.2
- Aphthous ulcersMost are self-limited. DGL paste is the oral-ulcer tradition. This is not neutropenia or Behçet skip.4
- Stable diverticular diseaseFiber after the acute episode. Psyllium is the plant. This is not diverticulitis.3
- Nausea of pregnancyOB algorithm (B6, doxylamine, ondansetron when indicated). Ginger has a human NVP file at modest doses. This is not hyperemesis skip.3
- Poor appetite (after workup)Find cancer, depression, meds, and dentition. Gentian-type bitters are traditional. This is not a cachexia drug.4
- Traveler's diarrheaORS first. Most is self-limited. Goldenseal is not ciprofloxacin, and antimotility is the wrong first move if fever and blood are in the story.4
- Chemotherapy-induced nausea (adjunct)5-HT3 / NK1 / olanzapine / dexamethasone own CINV. Ginger has adjunct RCT data — it does not replace the antiemetic plan.3
- IBD (UC / Crohn) adjunctMesalamine, steroids, immunomodulators, and biologics own IBD. Curcumin has some UC add-on data. Plants do not induce remission of a flare.5
- Biliary colic / dyspepsia (adjunct)A stone that hurts is surgical timing, not a bitter. Artichoke has a functional-dyspepsia/choleretic file — not a cholecystectomy.4
- Xerostomia / dry mouthName the cause (drug, Sjögren, radiation). Pilocarpine and saliva substitutes own true sicca. Demulcents are coating comfort.4
- Gastroparesis (adjunct)Metoclopramide/erythromycin and diet still own delayed emptying. Ginger has a modest gastric-emptying file — not a GES.3
- SIBO-type bloating (adjunct)Breath tests and rifaximin/elemental strategies own true SIBO. Peppermint oil is an IBS spasm plant borrowed here. Berberine is not rifaximin.4
- Oral mucositis (adjunct)Oncology mouthwash protocols first. Aloe inner gel and marshmallow are coating comfort — not palifermin.4
- Anal fissure (supportive)Stool softening and topical nitrates/CCB own acute fissure. Psyllium is the plant that matches the mechanism. This is not Crohn's skip.3
- Peptic ulcer (adjunct)PPI plus H. pylori treatment own PUD. DGL and marshmallow are coating traditions — not a urea breath test.4