Herbal Support for Digestion: Gas, Bloating, SIBO, IBS, Acid Reflux, Diarrhea & Leaky Gut
- Nikki
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Your Gut is the Root of Your Health
If your gut could talk, it would probably say, “I run the show here.”That’s because your digestive system isn’t just where food is broken down—it’s a command center for your immune system, hormone balance, energy levels, and even your mood. In fact, about 70% of your immune cells live in your gut, and the microbes there are constantly communicating with your brain through the gut-brain axis.
When your digestion is running smoothly, you absorb nutrients efficiently, eliminate waste with ease, and feel light, energetic, and clear-minded. But when things go off track—when you have bloating, acid reflux, diarrhea, nausea, or IBS—your body will let you know. And those symptoms don’t just affect your stomach. They can lead to:
Fatigue and brain fog
Skin issues like acne or eczema
Hormonal imbalance and mood swings
Immune system weakness
Inflammation throughout the body
Your gut health is a reflection of your whole-body health. Stress, poor diet, certain medications, environmental toxins, and even infections can disrupt the delicate balance of your gut microbiome. Over time, this imbalance can make you more prone to digestive issues such as gas, bloating, leaky gut, SIBO, acid reflux, nausea, or IBS.
The good news? Your gut can heal.Through mindful eating, stress management, probiotics, and powerful herbal allies, you can rebuild a balanced digestive system that supports every part of your well-being. And because herbs work in harmony with your body, they can help you find relief naturally—without masking symptoms.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the most common digestive issues, the herbs that can help, supportive lifestyle shifts, and our Monarch Herbs remedies designed to get your gut back on track. You’ll even find a couple of simple recipes to try at home.
1. Gas
What it is: Excess intestinal gas from bacterial fermentation, poor digestion, or swallowed air.
Causes: Eating too fast, food intolerances, gut imbalances, artificial sweeteners.
Herbs that help:
Fennel seed – Carminative, reduces bloating
Peppermint – Relaxes gut muscles
Ginger – Improves digestion speed
Caraway – Helps release trapped gas
Other treatments:
Eat slowly, avoid carbonated drinks
Digestive bitters before meals (Chomp Extract)
Add probiotics
2. Bloating
What it is: Swelling of the belly from gas, water retention, or poor digestion.
Causes: Overeating, constipation, hormonal changes, SIBO, IBS.
Herbs that help:
Chamomile – Calms inflammation
Lemon balm – Relaxes intestinal muscles
Meadowsweet – Soothes acid irritation
Dandelion root – Reduces water retention
Other treatments:
Reduce salt intake
Avoid gum chewing
Support liver function (Chomp Extract, Helios Tea)
3. SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)
What it is: Large-intestine bacteria moving into the small intestine, causing fermentation, gas, and nutrient malabsorption.
Causes: Slow digestion, low stomach acid, past infections, stress.
Herbs that help:
Oregon grape root – Antimicrobial & bile supportive
Berberine-rich herbs – Reduce bacterial overgrowth
Garlic – Antibacterial & antifungal
Thyme – Antimicrobial carminative
Other treatments:
Low-FODMAP diet short term
Digestive bitters before meals (Chomp Extract)
Herbal antimicrobials
Probiotics after treatment
4. IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
What it is: Functional gut disorder causing pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or both.
Causes: Gut-brain axis imbalance, food sensitivities, post-infectious changes, altered motility.
Herbs that help:
Peppermint – Relieves spasms
Chamomile – Reduces inflammation
Slippery Elm – Soothes lining
Fennel – Relieves gas
Lemon balm – Calms gut-related anxiety
Other treatments:
Remove trigger foods
Add soluble fiber for constipation
Reduce stress (Moxie Extract)
Gut-friendly probiotics
5. Acid Reflux (GERD & Heartburn)
What it is: Backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus, causing burning, irritation, and sometimes coughing or hoarseness.
Causes: Weak lower esophageal sphincter, eating too close to bedtime, overeating, certain trigger foods (coffee, citrus, tomatoes, chocolate, fried foods).
Herbs that help:
Marshmallow root – Coats & soothes throat and esophagus
Slippery elm – Protects mucous membranes
Meadowsweet – Reduces acidity
Chamomile – Calms inflammation & spasms
Other treatments:
Eat smaller meals
Avoid lying down after eating
Elevate head during sleep
Identify & avoid trigger foods & alcohol
Support gut lining repair (Quench Pills)
6. Diarrhea
What it is: Loose, frequent stools from irritation, infection, or gut imbalance.
Causes: Food poisoning, intolerances, IBS-D, SIBO, antibiotics.
Herbs that help:
Chamomile – Anti-inflammatory & antispasmodic
Slippery Elm – Soothing mucilage
Yarrow – Stops diarrhea
Cinnamon – Gut-toning antimicrobial
Other treatments:
Hydrate with electrolytes
Avoid dairy, fatty foods, high sugar
Add soluble fiber
Restore flora with probiotics
7. Leaky Gut
What it is: Increased intestinal permeability allowing toxins and undigested food into the bloodstream.
Causes: Chronic inflammation, food sensitivities, high cortisol, NSAIDs, infections.
Herbs that help:
Slippery elm – Gut lining repair
Plantain – Anti-inflammatory & soothing
Calendula – Gut wall healer
Licorice root (DGL) – Repairs mucous membranes
Other treatments:
Remove irritants (gluten, alcohol, sugar)
Add collagen or bone broth
Supplement with L-glutamine
Manage stress
8. Nausea
What it is: That queasy, unsettled feeling in the stomach that can lead to vomiting.
Causes: Motion sickness, pregnancy, viral infections, food poisoning, migraines, digestive upset, side effects of medication.
Herbs that help:
Ginger – One of the most effective anti-nausea herbs, supports stomach motility.
Peppermint – Calms stomach spasms and reduces queasiness.
Lemon balm – Gentle calming herb for nervous stomachs.
Chamomile – Relieves tension and inflammation in the digestive tract.
(Do NOT use any of these if you are pregnant. Ginger MAY be used, but ask your health care provider before using ANY herbs while pregnant).
Other treatments:
Sip cool peppermint or ginger tea.
Eat bland foods (crackers, plain rice, banana).
Avoid strong smells or greasy foods.
For motion sickness, try acupressure wristbands.
Keep hydrated with small sips of water or electrolyte drinks.
Monarch Herbs Digestive Support Collection
Chomp Digestive Bitters – Boosts digestive enzymes & bile to better break down foods.
Orbit Tea – Gentle daily digestion support
Galaxy Tea – Gentle gut balancer with calming herbs (cooling blend for heartburn)
Quell Tea – Anti-inflammatory gut support
Tummy Tamer Extract – Calms upset stomach, gas & cramps (safe for kids)
Halt Anti-Histamine Extract – Helps histamine-triggered gut reactions
Moxie Extract – Supports stress & cortisol balance for digestion
Apex Laxative Capsules – Supports healthy bowel regularity
Summit Capsules – Gas, bloating & indigestion relief
Quench Capsules – Relieves acid reflux & soothes esophageal irritation
Two Herbal Recipes You Can Try at Home
Anti-Bloat Tea
1 tsp fennel seeds
1 tsp chamomile flowers
1 tsp peppermint leaf
Steep in 1 cup boiling water for 10 minutes. Sip after meals.
Gut-Healing Slippery Elm Porridge
1 tbsp slippery elm powder
1 cup warm nut milk or water
1 tsp honey or maple syrup
Mix well & drink 1–2x daily.
Lifestyle & Diet Tips
Eat slowly & chew well
Avoid constant snacking
Manage stress daily
Add fermented foods (unless SIBO is present)
Stay hydrated, but avoid chugging water with meals
Cautions & Contraindications
While herbs are powerful allies for digestion, it’s important to use them wisely. Some herbs can interact with medications or be unsafe during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or for those with certain health conditions.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding:
Avoid strong bitters like wormwood, Oregon grape root, and excessive peppermint oil.
Ginger in moderate amounts is generally safe for pregnancy-related nausea but check with your healthcare provider.
Medication Interactions:
Peppermint may reduce iron absorption if taken in high doses.
Licorice root (if using for leaky gut) can raise blood pressure and interact with diuretics or heart medications.
Berberine-rich herbs (Oregon grape, barberry, goldenseal) can interfere with antibiotics, anticoagulants, and diabetes medications.
Health Conditions:
Avoid fennel in large amounts if you have estrogen-sensitive conditions.
Use marshmallow root or slippery elm away from medications by at least 1–2 hours, as they can reduce absorption.
If you have gallstones, avoid strong bile-stimulating herbs like dandelion root without medical guidance.
Children:
Always use gentler preparations and smaller doses. Avoid strong essential oils internally.
💡 Always check with your healthcare provider before starting herbal remedies, especially if you are on prescription medications or have chronic health conditions.
Final Thoughts on Digestive Health
Your digestive system is truly the gateway to your overall well-being. When it’s working in harmony, you absorb nutrients more efficiently, your immune system stays strong, and your mind feels clearer and more focused. But when it’s out of balance, your body will speak up—through bloating, discomfort, fatigue, skin flare-ups, or even mood changes.
The good news is that you have the power to restore balance. Simple daily habits like mindful eating, stress reduction, and nourishing your gut with herbs, probiotics, and clean whole foods can create a profound difference in how you feel.
At Monarch Herbs, we believe in supporting your digestive health naturally—with herbs that are time-tested, gentle, and effective. Whether you’re dealing with occasional bloating, chronic IBS, acid reflux, or you’re working to heal your gut lining, there’s an herbal ally ready to help you get back to feeling your best.
Your gut has an incredible ability to heal and thrive when given the right support. Start today with small changes, choose foods and herbs that nourish your digestion, and remember—a happy gut means a happier, healthier you.
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