Medicinal Plants Used for Digestive Disorders What the Gastroenterologist Needs to Know

Herbal medicine is arguably the oldest form of healthcare known to humanity. Medicinal plants have been used by all cultures throughout history and still continue to be an integral part of our modern civilization. From generation to generation, various ethnic groups around the world have used a wide array of plants to treat various gastrointestinal problems. This practice is especially common among the Hispanic communities living along the United States-Mexico border. The principal afflictions for which various plants are ingested (either taken as tea made from a single plant - or multiple combinations) range from parasitic diseases, to bloating, ulcers, nausea, dyspepsia and diarrhea, just to name a few. Plants contain a myriad of secondary metabolites or phytochemicals, which may have a role in the treatment and prevention of various digestive disorders. With the remarkable surge of so-called complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM (currently known by the more accurate term of Integrative Medicine), it is imperative that the gastroenterologist be aware of both the potential risks as well as the benefits of using herbal medicine in his/her modern practice.