Bloating
after meals / Frequent burping / Gassiness
The presence of gas in any portion of the digestive tract is usually
indicative of a deficiency in the system. Incomplete digestion leads
to fermentation of the foods in the warmth of the GI tract, and
this fermentation produces gas, bloating, distention, and a feeling
of being “overfull”. Even beans, so often blamed for
“gas”, should not cause a problem in a healthy digestive
system if they are thoroughly washed before and after cooking, and
not eaten in combination with starches.
Treatment
Goal(s):
· Relieve gas in the short term, strengthen digestion in
the long term.
Primary
Treatment:
· Use carminative plants after eating, balanced to the person’s
constitution (see below).
· Administer bitters to strengthen digestion, balanced to
the person’s constitution (see below).
Supportive
Treatment:
· Movement can be very helpful in relieving and preventing
gas, by encouraging movement of a sluggish digestive tract and promoting
the expulsion of gas. Short walks after meals, or yoga can both
be helpful.
Differential
diagnoses, cautions, and other considerations:
· Carminative herbs should reflect a person’s constitution.
More “hot”, “yang” constitutions will benefit
from Mentha piperita (Peppermint). More “cool”, “yin”
constitutions will benefit from Foeniculum vulgare (Fennell). Use
caution with carminatives in cases of heartburn and ulcers.
· Bitters encompass a variety of herbs and herbal actions.
Choose bitter(s) which also have a positive effect in other areas
of the patient’s physiology, but always anchored in Gentiana
lutea (Gentian) for neutral to cool / dry constitutions, and Artemisia
species (Wormwood, Mugwort) for neutral to warm / moist constitutions.
