Tummies are important Tummy herbs! A Shutterstock Licensed Image

There are many reasons why our stomachs make noise and feel unsettled. When you have a bad case of the stomach grumbling, you might also be suffering from excessive bloating, farting, irritable bowel, or a hyperactive bowel. You might even have a belly murmur that sounds exactly like “borborygmi!”

These symptoms might coincide with feelings of anxiousness, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, insomnia, and cramps. While it might be temporary, your discomfort could stem from a variety of causes. If you’re asking, “Why is my stomach growling?” or “Why is my stomach always grumpy?” consider these ideas:

• You may have eaten too fast or too much
• Your stomach might not enjoy cold food or ice water (most don’t)
• You may have eaten something that wasn’t cooked properly
• You might be so nervous that your tummy is generating too much acid
• You may have consumed food or water that had bacteria like Salmonella enteritidis or Listeria monocytogenes
• You may have eaten food that had parasites like Giardia
• You might have allergies that resulted in inflammation in your digestive tract
• You may have swallowed overly chlorinated water
• You may have drunk too much alcohol
• The healthy bacteria in your system might be depleted
• You might not be getting enough nutrients in your diet
• Your recent meal may have been too spicy

“When I prayed for success, I forgot to ask for

sound sleep and good digestion.”

— Mason Cooley

When complaining about your gurgling stomach, and the aches and pains throughout your abdomen, it’s important to remain calm and refrain from jumping to conclusions. When searching online for answers, while interesting, the majority of the information you’ll source will not pertain to your specific situation. Even if you chance upon the perfect protocol, one that feels aligned with heart, brain, and each of your chakras, it’s possible you might not have given yourself the correct diagnosis.

Before popping self-prescribed pills and tea-steeping yourself into hysteria with hipster healing regiments, seek the counsel of a professional. In almost all cases, you’ll be safer when you consult with Medical Doctors (MDs), Nurses (RNs), Doctors of Osteopathy (DOs), Chiropractors (DCs), Doctors of Naturopathic Medicine (NDs), and nutritional experts.

While I am not prescribing anything specific in this article, here are some ideas you might consider when researching healing modalities, herbs, and supplements.

Herbs And Foods For Upset Stomachs

A few herbs, supplements, and foods can go a long way when we’re trying to heal our upset stomachs and digestive tracts. While you might feel safe when experimenting with some of these things, it’s best not to try everything at once.

While some of these foods are healing in small amounts, they might be dangerous in larger quantities, and when combined with other items. There’s also a chance you’ll have allergic reactions, so be careful and mindful.

Consider making warm and hot beverages with these herbs and foods:

• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Chamomile
• Fennel
• Turmeric
• Calendula
• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Mint
• Basil
• Cumin
• Manuka Honey
• Fenugreek
• Marshmallow Root
• Artichoke Leaf Extract
• Warm saltwater

Chinese Antimicrobial And Anti-Inflammatory Herbs

In Chinese medicine, qi (chi) is the life energy that runs through our bodies. This energy is continuously in flux. Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments help to promote, maintain, and heal the flow of the body’s energy. The two opposing sets of attributes within our qi are Yin and Yang. Yin refers to night, dark, cold, feminine, and negative. Yang’s characteristics are day, light, warm, positive, and masculine.

Long before western medicine hit its stride, the Chinese had sourced and tested thousands of healing herbs and remedies. With regard to our bellies and intestines, Chinese Medicine offers profound methodologies for healing inflammation in the gut and extinguishing harmful microbes in the body.

Here is a sampling of some of the more popular Chinese herbs in this category. As with all medicinals, be sure to properly educate yourself, and be judicious with quantities and repetitive usage.

• Huáng Qín (黃芩 Scutellaria baicalensis)
• Huáng Lián (黃連 Coptis chinensis)
• Jīn Yín Hūa (金銀花 Flos Lonicerae)
• Lián Qiào (連翹 Forsythia suspensa)
• Dà Qīn Yè (大青葉 Isatidis Folium)
• Bǎn Lán Gēn (板藍根 Radix Isatidis)
• Zǐ Huā Dì Dīn (紫花地丁 Viola yedoensis)
• Bái Tóu Wēn (白頭翁 Pulsatilla Radix)
• Chuān Xīn Lián (穿心蓮 Andrographis paniculata)
• Yú Xīng Cǎo (魚腥草 Houttuynia cordata)
• Bài Jiàn Cǎo (敗醬草 Patrinia Herba)
• Geng Mi (粳米 Oryzae Semen)
• Shan Zha (山楂 Fructus Crataegi)
• Ji Nei Jin (鸡内金 Endothelium Corneum Gigeriae Galli)
• Mai Ya (麦芽 Fructus Hordei Germinatus)
• Chen Pi (陈皮 Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae)

Ayurvedic Herbs That Can Heal Your Gut

Ayurvedic medicine is over 5000 years old. The word Ayurveda comes from the Sanskrit term, Ayur (life), and Veda (knowledge). Ayurvedic medicine is based upon the Three Doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each of these biological concepts refers to tendencies and attributes found throughout our bodies and minds. Your Dosha might be one of the three or a combination of them.

Each Dosha refers to a specific set of mental processes, health blueprints, and overall physical and emotional tendencies. By balancing and healing our Doshic constructs, we become healthier, happier, and more whole.

To be safe, visit with an Ayurvedic Doctor before consuming any of these herbs.

• Triphala
• Shatapushpa
• Shatavari
• Amalaki
• Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)
• Kapardika Bhasma
• Asafoetida Gum (Hing, F. foetida and F. assa-foetida)
• Yastimadhu (Licorice, Glycyzrrhiza glabra)
• Lavanga (Clove, Syzygium aromaticum)
• Alsarex, Ayucid, Avipatrikar Churna

Over-The-Counter Supplements For Stomach And Bowel Issues

While every stomach and bowel illness has a unique source and required therapy, the following tried-n-true offerings will help heal your belly and improve conditions in your intestines:

• Pepsin
• Alka Seltzer Gold (no aspirin!)
• Probiotics (friendly bacteria)
• Activated Charcoal
• Digestive Enzymes

Parasites, Bacteria, And Food Poisoning

If you’ve ever had a parasite or nasty intestinal bacteria in your gut, you know how debilitating it can be. Western medicine has found it challenging to address these things without prescribing antibiotics. Oftentimes, antibiotics only kill a portion of the little creatures that are nesting in your system. Also, over time, antibiotics can harm our most beneficial bacterias, putting us in even greater jeopardy.

In a balanced regiment, the following supplements can help counter the invasions of harmful parasites and bacteria:

• Monolaurin
• Propolis
• L-Glutamine
• Anise
• Barberry
• Chaparral
• 5-MTHF (Levomefolic acid)
• Slippery Elm
• Rice Bran
• Papain
• DGL (Licorice)
• Berberine
• Black Walnut Seed
• Castor Oil
• Clove Oil
• Peppermint Oil
• Flaxseed Oil
• Goldenseal
• Grapefruit Seed Extract
• Oregano Oil
• Wormwood

Additional Symptoms

Sometimes stomach pain coincides with constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, bloody urine and stool, arm pain, anemia, and discomfort when urinating. If any of these things are prevalent for you, it’s time to see a medical doctor. In situations like these, it’s always best to be cautious.

In all things related to health and life: maintain a positive attitude, be ready to continually release outdated conditions and ideas, and expect the Universe to shower you with blessings. Finally, remember that thousands of miracles happen every day. Your miracle could be next.

You can heal your Thyroid! A Shutterstock Licensed Image.

One of the key drivers and actors behind your emotions and emotional intelligence is your thyroid. Resting below your Adam’s apple, and along the front and sides of your windpipe, the thyroid has two squishy compartments connected by a similarly textured bridge. Shaped like a butterfly, this gentle and vital friend appears to elevate your breath and give flight to your voice.

The thyroid might hold the key to the evolution of your relationships, consciousness, and sense of Self. Even if your thyroid appears to be on her last breath, she is waiting to be healed. While this might take some time, effort, patience, and inward reflection, it’ll be worth it. Your thyroid processes experiences and information akin to your heart. When you love, your thyroid loves. When you breathe, so does this lovely and powerful little organ.

Your thyroid is hyper-aware and connected to the other realms, unlike any of your other glands and organs. It might also be providing you with helpful information on how to live, love, heal and thrive.

As with all things related to your health, seek the help of a doctor, D.O., or nutritionist to help you understand, treat, and heal your body. The thyroid is a particularly complex organ, so as you pursue its healing, be careful, be gentle, and have patience.

How Does The Thyroid Work?

The thyroid gland uses the iodine in your body (sourced from food and supplements) to produce two vital hormones: T3 (Triiodothyronine) and T4 (Thyroxine). Your pituitary gland, nestled in your brain, is the thyroid’s master and the gatekeeper of TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone).

When your pituitary gland releases TSH into your bloodstream, your thyroid excretes hormones. When your pituitary gland detects low thyroid hormone levels, it releases more TSH. When it detects the opposite, it reduces its excretion of TSH. To diagnose thyroid problems, doctors will use blood tests to determine your levels of TSH, T4, T3, and sometimes RT3 (Reverse T3).

Thyroid Disease Dictionary

The thyroid is part of the endocrine system, which produces hormones that fuel many critical bodily functions. It can become damaged through heredity, repeated trauma, drug use, alcoholism, stress, and diet.

Symptoms of a damaged or weak thyroid include:

• Fatigue and weakness
• Feeling cold all the time
• Joint pain and muscle soreness
• Regularly feeling emotional or depressed
• Weight gain
• Slowed heart rate, movement, and speech
• Dry skin
• Heavy menstruation
• High cholesterol
• Anemia
• Loss of libido
• Recurring urinary and respiratory tract infections

There are several types of thyroid conditions and diseases, some of which are more difficult to heal than others.

Hypothyroidism

When the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones (thyroxine) to keep your body in balance, it means the gland is under-active. Symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, cold sensitivity, constipation, memory loss, and muscle cramps.

Hyperthyroidism

An overactive thyroid occurs when your thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine. This condition can cause heat intolerance, increased sweating, insomnia, decreased appetite, rapid heartbeat, irritability, nervousness, dizziness, and anxiety. You’ll see below that there are many natural supplements for Hyperthyroidism.

Grave’s Disease

This condition results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones, which can also cause Hyperthyroidism.

Hashimoto’s Disease

Also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (Hypothyroidism), Hashimoto’s disease causes your immune system to attack your thyroid. This causes it to underperform and then overcompensate, swinging back and forth in pendulum-like fashion. While this and other thyroid conditions tend to affect middle-aged women, they can all occur in anyone at any age.

Western Thyroid Medication

While doctors most often prescribe the drug knowns as synthetic thyroxine, a medication that’s identical to our T4 hormones, there are several ways to nurture and potentially heal your thyroid. The reason T3 is not always prescribed is that T4 will naturally convert to T3. That said, T3 is more potent and more effective than T4.

Levothyroxine (Synthroid): a synthetic version of T4 and the preferred treatment of hypothyroidism.

Liothyronine (Cytomel): a synthetic version of T3 sometimes used in the treatment of hypothyroidism. Some doctors avoid prescribing this because it can cause hormone toxicity and Hyperthyroidism in some cases.

Levothyroxine Alternative: DTE

When your thyroid is not functioning correctly, taking natural, Desiccated Thyroid Extract (DTE) can change your life. For many, they can provide excellent and effective alternatives to Levothyroxine and Liothyronine.

Desiccated thyroid is a thyroid gland extract, usually taken from a cow (bovine) or pig (porcine). Once extracted, DTE is dried and milled into a powder and made in the form of a daily pill at 75, 150, 300mg, and more.

Products in this category to consider include Thyroid-Gold from Natural Thyroid Solutions (my favorite), Armour Thyroid, and Nature Throid. In a U.S. NIH study that compared the effects of DTE and Levothyroxine, the vast majority of patients preferred DTE. Overall, these patients felt better over time and experienced weight loss when compared to the patients who used Levothyroxine.

DTE might also be better for your emotional and psychological well-being, which directly affects relationships, financial well-being, spiritual health, and personal growth.

Thyroid Support Supplements

Taken in moderation, these are the primary supplements found in most thyroid regiments:

• • Selenium
  • Iron (and Tyrosine)
  • Vitamin B
  • Vitamin D
  • Zinc
  • Probiotics
  • Zinc, turmeric, Vitamins B and D (your best thyroid support vitamins), Iron, Selenium, Probiotics
  • For Hashimoto’s only: Magnesium converts the inactive T4 thyroid hormone into the active form of T3, which some people find helpful
  • Ayurvedic herbs for thyroid health: Ashwagandha, Guggul, Pepperin, Bauhinia Purpurea, Kanchanara (Bauhinia variegata, purple mountain ebony), Jatamansi, Brahmi, Shilajit, Gokshura, Punarnava
  • Excellent thyroid supplement brands include Thorne, 1 Body, Pure, MegaFood, and Now. Take your time and research all of the possible supplements that promise to nurture your thyroid back to health.

Remember, the best thyroid supplement is the one that gives you the energy and balance that leads to a peaceful and happy life.

Things to Limit Or Avoid

While some of these things are okay in moderation, be careful around how much you regularly consume.

• Avoid kale, broccoli, spinach, and cabbage
• Limit soy foods like tofu, tempeh, and edamame
• Starchy foods like sweet potatoes
• Limit fruits including peaches, pears, and strawberries
• Limit alcohol, coffee, green tea, and other caffeinated beverages as they can irritate your thyroid
• Millet
• Pine nuts
• Peanuts
• Highly processed foods like hot dogs, chips, desserts, and snacks
• Taking too much selenium and iodine can be harmful
• Anger
• Exaggerated emotional reactions
• Doctors who know little about your thyroid, and who have no interest in learning the latest and most effective methodologies

Food and Modalities to Heal Your Thyroid

While seeking the help of a certified health practitioner is always recommended, here are a few things you might want to add to your life and daily regiment:

• Meditation and deep breathing will increase your vibration, which can have a lasting effect on your brain, heart, and thyroid
• Forgiveness and crying will release stored, toxic energy that could be inhibiting your thyroid
• Essential Oils for thyroid nodules include spearmint, peppermint, myrrh, rose, cedarwood, lavender
• Bach Flower Remedies help reduce anxiety and return people to their natural emotional state.
• N.E.T. Remedies help balance and honor your emotions
• Seaweeds such as kelp, nori, and wakame are rich in iodine
• Salted nuts like Brazil, macadamia, and hazelnuts are abundant in selenium
• Eggs
• Yogurt
• Baked Fish
• Flaxseed
• A forward-thinking, open-minded doctor or D.O. who can fathom and act upon ideas sourced after 1970

Your thyroid is like a little kitten. Love her, massage her, talk to her, and breathe life into her whenever possible. Do the same for all of your organs and you’ll give yourself the best chance at lasting health.