Digestive System

Lecture Notes 12/12/12:

-GI Tract is actually outside the body, made of epithelial tissue

-Bitters: promote upper GI secretions & is detoxifying

-Chinotto: consumed before meals, bitter

-Swedish bittes

-Bitter melon: steam, saute, stirfry

–Sialagogue: cayenne, ginger, licorice

-Hepatics/Liver Herbs: barberry, boldo leaf, dandelion root

-Burdock root: liver cleanser and also a food

-Emetics: licorice, lobelia

-Demulcents: slimy in a good way: comfrey root, marshmallow root, slippery elm bark

-Carminatives: reduce gas: fennel, dill, cumin, caraway

-Astringents: turmeric, oak bark, haritaki, black walnut bark

-Antispasmodics: chamomile, valerian

–Mouth Ulcers (canker sores): associated with nutrient deficiencies, allergy (foods, drugs, contact , wheat/gluten), stress, autoimmune, microbes -Differential diagnoses: (didn’t get the best description of this) -Misc treatments: avoid toothpaste with sodium lauryl sulfate. Topical: licorice or licorice combinations, DGL lozenges chewable, aloe gel topically, calendula lotion, lemon balm. Oral: pantothenic acid at first sign, children 100 mg, 500 mg, vitamin E topically x15 minutes bid for pain, ascorbic acid, bioflavonoids, quercertin, lysine 200-2000mg

-Thrush: antiyeast remedies, phellodendron, alandine, oak bark

-Stomach: empty contracted (gastritis)

-Heartburn: licorice, calcium carbonate, celery juice, carrot & spinach juice, cabbage juice, banana, calendula

-Ulcers: caused by Helicobacter pylori (cayenne, banana, goldenseal, garlic, bismuth)

-Impacted fecal matter: (mucoid plaque): mistaken interpretation of waste removed during cleansing with soluble fiber

-Bowel Movements: 18-24 hours according to Ayurveda, feces 75% water, 25% solids, bowel movement, ideally one per meal a day

-Constipation: three main factors: peristalsis (large intestine tone/fiber/moisture (lubrication), appropriate diagnosis critical. -Peristalsis: atonic (hypotonic), lack colon tone (contraction) flaccid, “lazy colon,” infrequent bowel movements, seen in elders, obese, sedentary people. Use stimulant laxatives short term, often contain anthraquinone compounds. Examples are cascara sagrada, senna, aloe. –Hypertonic: (spastic) excessive, chronic. Castor oil: works in 2-6 hours it’s active ingredient Ricinolecic acid. Use triphala: three fruits, amla bibitaki, haritaki, psyllium husk. Hyperosmotic laxatives, pull water to bowels in from other tissue. Mineral Oil, mineral oil enema, do not take within 2 hours of meal times. Anthraquinone: two bonded air molecules. Anthraquinone Glycosides: increase smooth muslce activity can cause griping.

-Diarrhea: loss of water, minerals use carob, cranesbill root, oak bark, Bismuth: used to treat nausea, heartburn, indigestion, you can also use nutmeg. Infectious Diarrhea: invasive bacteria, make cytotoxins damage mucosa. Use antibacterials, goldenseal, garlic, foeniculum, vaccinium, myrtillus, potentilla, Ribes, mentha pipenta, kaopectate, brown rice water.

-Gas: fennel seed, coriander seed, cumin seed, dill seed, black cumin

-Digestion: maldigestion, caused by an impairment of normal…didn’t get the rest

-Malabsorption: bitters & astringents

-Colitis: large intestine, demuclents, slippery elm, marhsmallow, turmeric, parsley

-Hemorrhoids: liver problem, stone root, boldo leaf, dandelion root, use astringents topically or internally, root vegetables for hemorrhoids, vitamin E suppository, potato butt plug