The digestive system includes not only the stomach and small and large intestine, but also auxiliary organs such as the liver, gall bladder and pancreas. Chronic problems in this area are not only distressing in their own right, but may also be linked to a whole host of seemingly unrelated disorders in various body systems. For example, poor liver function can lead to digestive discomfort in the form of fat intolerance, but the liver is also important in regulating hormones such as oestrogen, and can therefore play a role in conditions fuelled by hormonal imbalance.

Recent research has highlighted the complex links between the gut flora, or microbiome, and other major body systems, including the endocrine, immune and nervous systems (Ghaisas et al., 2016; Scher & Abramson, 2011). While much remains to be understood about these interconnections, they clearly have profound implications for the treatment of a range of chronic disorders, from allergies and autoimmune disease to mental disorders such as anxiety, depression and even dementia. This suggests that modifying the gut flora may be a promising approach for a range of problems – and, indeed, studies demonstrate that ‘prebiotics’, such as those made from chicory root, restore the balance when the gut flora is altered, inhibit the progression of disease  and support the barrier function of the gut wall (Bosscher et al., 2006).

Prebiotics may form part of a ‘bowel flora protocol’ using broad-spectrum antimicrobials such as garlic and selective antiseptics such as green tea extracts to increase the levels of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria and reduce those of pathogenic bowel species (Bone, 2004; Rees et al.,1993; Goto et al.,1998).

 Optimising digestive function with herbs - as well as appropriate dietary changes - is therefore one of the key aims of treatment.