Medical Herbal

Substitutions to heal your

gut microbiome
Honors Option Contract
McKenna Mason
Gut Health and Microbiome
• Our gut holds one of the most prominent relationship between human health and our
bodies microbiome.
o 100 trillion microorganisms

• Our gut bacteria's fermentation provide the human body with the gases and SCFA's
needed to break down matter. Higher production of SCFA's is associated with lower
diet-influenced weight.
• Neurotransmitters in epithelial lining of gut
• Gut microbiome's diversity and efficient is directly linked to what we eat, as they
directly consume what we choose to put in our bodies.
Mental Health
• Your gut health is directly related to your mental health
 Just as your brain can send signals to your gut, such as
"butterflies" your gut can send signals to your brain.
 Enteric Nervous System
 Gastroenterologists will prescribe anti-depressant to help
treat IBS.
 Several studies have proven that a psychology-based
approach in addition to a conventional medicine-based
approach to anxiety is more effective in treating anxiety.
Triphala
o Amala or Indian Gooseberry
o Bibhitaki
o Haritaki

• Helps keep the epithelial lining within our

gut healthy, reduces bloating, constipations,
and helps with pain
• Increases the barrier function of the gut's
wall, preventing a leaking gut.
• Improves ability to absorption of nutrients
Licorice root
• Helps decrease inflammation
• Caneliminate H. pylori, which is a cause of
peptic ulcers
• Gives the gut an additional protective membrane
over the membrane lining
• Can relieve gastrointestinal pain
Slippery Elm
• Can be used to heal the mucous membrane
within the gut
• Can improve bowel movements, relieving a
common IBS symptom.
• Aid in heartburn
• Give an antioxidant effect in patients
with inflammatory issues such as Crohn's.
Other important
plants
• Green Tea
o Cognitive function and mood disorders

• Asiatic Pennywort
o Cognitive function and mood disorders
and anxiety

• Saffron
o Depression and anxiety

• Ginkgo Leaf
o Anxiety

• Tumeric, Ginger, black pepper, long pepper

Sources
• Clemente-Suárez, V.J.; Mielgo-Ayuso, J.; Martín-Rodríguez, A.; Ramos-Campo, D.J.; Redondo-Flórez, L.;
Tornero-Aguilera, J.F. The Burden of Carbohydrates in Health and Disease. Nutrients 2022, 14, 3809.
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14183809

• Pferschy-Wenzig, E. M., Pausan, M. R., Ardjomand-Woelkart, K., Röck, S., Ammar, R. M., Kelber, O., Moissl-
Eichinger, C., & Bauer, R. (2022). Medicinal Plants and Their Impact on the Gut Microbiome in Mental Health:
A Systematic Review. Nutrients, 14(10), 2111. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14102111

• The gut-brain connection. Harvard Health. (2023, July 18).

https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/the-gut-brain-connection

• The brain-gut connection. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2024, January 24).

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-brain-gut-connection

• Berger, M. (2023, August 28). The best herbs to promote Gut Health. What is So Amazing About Using Herbs
to Promote Gut Health? https://muih.edu/what-is-so-amazing-about-using-herbs-to-promote-gut-health/