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Digestive Health
Updated: Oct 14
After addressing nutrition and gut health the digestive system is the next place to focus on healing, cleansing, strengthening, and building because this is the place for eliminating toxins from the body. If this system is not properly eliminating, a myriad of complications in the body can manifest in all kinds of symptoms and mystery illness.
The purpose of the digestive system is to take in food for the assimilation of nutrients, so the body has fuel and building blocks with which to function and then remove all the waste. The digestive tract, which goes from the mouth to the anus is lined with epidermis which protects us from pathogens (harmful viruses, bacterial and other “invaders”). The digestive system can be broken down into the following parts:
Ingestion (mouth, pharynx, esophagus)
Digestion (stomach)
Absorption (small intestine)
Elimination (large intestine, rectum, anus)
INGESTION
The Mouth
There is a lot going on in the mouth. It is the first line of defense in the immune system, where the saliva can kill off certain pathogens. The saliva also starts the digestive processes of breaking down food, and lubrication for passage down the esophagus. The tongue contains taste buds which are the pleasure center for tasting our food, remember how the Lord wants us to enjoy the creations he has blessed us with.
“It was pointed out to him (Adam), as it has been pointed out to you, that there are many good fruits to be plucked, to be eaten, to be enjoyed. We believe in enjoying good food. We think that these good things are given us of God. We believe in getting all the enjoyment out of eating that we can; and, therefore, we should avoid gluttony, and we should avoid all extremes in all our habits of eating.”
Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage, chapter 3
These "tastes" send messages to stimulate or support other body systems depending on the specific taste: salty, sour, bitter, sweet, and savory. Having a combination of them all is important for balance.
Conditions in the Mouth
The Esophagus
After the mouth does its job of starting the food breakdown process it moves through the esophagus and on to the stomach.
Conditions in the Esophagus
DIGESTION
The Stomach
The stomach is where actual digestion takes place. Mucus lines the stomach to protect it from the acid. This acid helps break down the food even more and kills pathogens that got past the first few lines of immune defense.
Conditions in the Stomach
ABSORPTION/ELIMINATION
The Gut
We have talked a lot about gut health and here we are at the body system that is considered “the gut”. It consists of the small and large intestines, as well as most of the friendly bacteria discussed in gut health. 75% of the immune system resides here, mostly in the small intestine. This area is considered the microbiome. These are some of the jobs these bacteria do in exchange for food and a home:
Help the body metabolize foods
Feed the cells of the intestinal walls
Make vitamins B and K
Help maintain the mucus coating of the intestinal lining
Compete for living space with pathogenic bacteria, which inhibits their growth
Prevent infection - they are the security guards of the body
The Small Intestine (Absorption)
The largest collection of lymph tissue, which is part of the immune system is in the small intestine, where all the nutrients from food is absorbed into the body through the lymph and blood.
The Large Intestine (Elimination)
Continues to absorb electrolytes and water to form a solid piece of waste called feces, which is then excreted through the anus. The waste consists mainly of food residue, dead cells, dead bacteria and viruses, and inorganic substances. This is also the place where most of the friendly bacteria in the body live.
Conditions in the Colon
Digestive Support and Lifestyle for a Healthy System
Eat in a pleasant setting that is unhurried and chew food thoroughly before swallowing
Eat whole foods
Avoid eating while stressed, working or in pain
Consume fluids between meals, not during
Do not overeat or eat too frequently, the system needs a rest
Light movement, like walking, aids digestions after meals
Incorporate cultured foods to feed and build gut flora
Exercise regularly - twisting yoga postures are great for digestion!
Herbs for Digestive Health
Resource for Further Learning
Memmler's The Human Body in Health and Disease by Barbara Janson Cohen
Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis Balch
Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health by Rosemary Gladstar
Herbal Home Health Care by Dr. John R. Christopher
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies by C. Norman Shealy
Reference Guide for Essential Oils by Connie Higley
The Herbal Academy Intermediate Course
