6 Herbs That Restore Gut Health
Science Based
Written by Amy Myers, MDDid you know seasonal allergies, brain fog, skin issues, or hormonal imbalances could stem from a problem with your digestive system? These could be symptoms of leaky gut syndrome. Fortunately, you can restore gut health with six herbs and nutrients.
Your gut is the gateway to health. Nearly 80% of your immune system lives within it! Yet, every day, millions of people are struggling with symptoms of leaky gut syndrome and other GI issues. Many don’t even realize it as they’ve gotten used to the symptoms!
Restoring gut health can considerably improve your digestive issues and autoimmunity. I say it all the time – the key to optimal health is to heal your gut.
One of the most effective ways to restore gut health is by adding specific herbs and nutrients that have powerful gut-repairing properties to your regime. If you haven’t heard of the benefits of slippery elm and marshmallow root, make sure to read this article!
The Leaky Gut Epidemic
Leaky gut is one of the most common gut problems I used to see in my practice. It’s directly related to conditions on the Autoimmune Spectrum®. Here’s why: your gut is like a drawbridge. When functioning normally, your gut is semi-permeable. It lets teeny-tiny boats (micronutrients) pass from your intestinal tract into your bloodstream so they can nourish your body.
However, certain foods such as gluten, toxins, infections, and stress can cause the tight junctions in your gut wall to break apart. Then, much larger “boats,” including toxins, microbes, and undigested food particles, can enter your bloodstream. Your immune system immediately recognizes that these substances shouldn’t be there. Consequently, it attacks them! Now the symptoms of leaky gut syndrome will start to appear.
Unresolved leaky gut can cause inflammation and a host of symptoms in the short term. It also creates the potential for autoimmune conditions to develop in the long term.
In fact, I believe leaky gut is one of the major contributing factors to the widespread epidemic of chronic disease we are seeing today. The following are some symptoms of leaky gut to look out for.
Symptoms of Leaky Gut Syndrome:
- Gas, bloating, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Food sensitivities or allergies
- Brain fog, difficulty concentrating, ADD or ADHD
- Depression and anxiety
- Acne, rosacea, or eczema
- Seasonal allergies
- Asthma
- Irregular periods, PMS, or PCOS
- Diagnosis of chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia
- Rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s, lupus, psoriasis, celiac disease, or any other autoimmune condition (1)
Herbs and Nutrients to Restore Gut Health
In functional medicine, we use a special approach to overcome the symptoms of leaky gut syndrome and restore gut health naturally. We call it the 4R program. Healing your gut is the final step of this program.
At this step, you’ll seal the leaks in your gut lining, repair damaged cells, and build new tissue. You can do this by incorporating powerful herbs and nutrients. These will
- nourish and soothe your gut cells
- restore your gut’s natural protective mucosal lining
- maximize the production of gut-mending fatty acids
The great news is that you can restore gut health very quickly. Every gut cell in your digestive system can turn over in just 48 to 72 hours. So there’s lots of opportunity for improvement every day!
You can support your gut with supplements that can help speed this process up even further. Here are some of my favorite herbs and nutrients for repairing a leaky gut. I use these every day to restore gut health!
6 Herbs and Nutrients to Restore Gut Health
1. L-Glutamine
L-Glutamine is one of the most important nutrients to restore gut health. This is because it speeds up gut cell regeneration so profoundly. This amino acid helps to mend the broken junctions in your intestinal wall so they can function normally. (2, 3)
L-Glutamine can also be used as a preventative nutrient. This is because it minimizes the damage caused by the food, toxins, infections, and stress that can lead to leaky gut in the first place. (4, 5)
2. Arabinogalactan
Arabinogalactan is a type of prebiotic fiber found in larch trees. Research suggests that arabinogalactan promotes a balanced microbiome. This is key to helping you restore gut health and to keeping viruses, Candida, and bad bacteria in check. (6, 7)
Native Americans chewed the bark of the larch tree and used its resin for immune function. Today, we know they were onto something! However, it is still unclear whether arabinogalactan supports the immune system solely through the effect it has on the gut or if a combination of factors is at play. (8)
What we do know is that probiotic bacteria in your digestive system can ferment the arabinogalactan. In the process, it produces fatty acids that help repair your gut lining and restore gut health.
3. Marshmallow Root
Marshmallow root is rich in mucilage, a substance that forms a protective lining in your digestive tract. This protective lining can help calm inflammation in your gut.
Consequently, it could improve issues such as ulcers, diarrhea, and constipation. Furthermore, marshmallow root can help restore the integrity of the tight junctions in your gut wall.
This is one of the reasons why marshmallow root is so beneficial in helping people restore gut health.
4. Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL)
Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) helps your body repair your gut lining and heal your gut. It does this by replenishing the mucus that creates a healthy intestinal barrier. DGL is made by removing the glycyrrhizin — which can raise blood pressure — from whole licorice while retaining its nutritional benefits.
It was first used over 3,000 years ago to treat digestive issues such as ulcers and indigestion. Again, ancient wisdom proves right! We now believe that DGL promotes a robust mucosal lining to help restore gut health. (9)
5. Slippery Elm
Slippery elm is another effective herb for gut repair. It’s been used for centuries in the United States. It works to your advantage in three ways. Slippery elm:
- increases the mucilage content in your digestive tract
- stimulates nerve endings to boost mucus secretion, which neutralizes excessive acidity in the gut and soothes ulcers
- provides antioxidants
These properties make slippery elm a great addition to a protocol to restore gut health.
6. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is soothing and protective. It helps your body replace the lost mucus associated with gut damage and leaky gut. Aloe vera supports your immune system, improves water balance within your intestines, and aids in controlling Candida overgrowth. (10) It also provides a wide range of nutrients and antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, and E.
Studies show aloe vera’s beneficial effect on IBS and its ability to boost the number of good bacteria in your gut. (11, 12) This makes it another great addition to a gut health protocol.
A Comprehensive Formula to Restore Gut Health
Because leaky gut plays such a key role in autoimmunity and other chronic illnesses, I developed a comprehensive supplement to restore gut health. Leaky Gut Revive® combines all the nutrients and herbs I mentioned in a single supplement.
This powerful powder reestablishes a healthy mucosal lining and enhances gut barrier function. I take at least two servings per day to keep my digestion in the best shape possible and to protect and restore gut health.
I recommend Leaky Gut Revive® to anyone who is experiencing symptoms of leaky gut syndrome. It’s also beneficial for those with food allergies or intolerances. Add it to your routine if you have seasonal allergies, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, autoimmunity, and hormonal or mood imbalances.
It supports your body in counteracting gastrointestinal symptoms. These include indigestion, heartburn, reflux, ulcers, constipation, and diarrhea. As if all this wasn’t enough, Leaky Gut Revive™ also helps guard against sugar cravings. And all while providing a truly effective tool to restore gut health!
How to Restore Gut Health with Leaky Gut Revive®
Leaky Gut Revive® tastes great and contains no fillers or ingredients that don’t directly help repair your intestinal lining and restore gut health.
Per one-scoop serving, Leaky Gut Revive® contains:
- L-Glutamine
- Arabinogalactan
- Soothing marshmallow root
- DGL
- Slippery elm
- Aloe vera
To take it, add a scoop to 8 oz of water, stir, and enjoy. You can opt for plain or our delicious strawberry lemonade flavor. I drink a glass of Leaky Gut Revive® every morning, mixed with a scoop of Organic Greens and ice. It is so delicious, even my daughter, Elle, loves it!
You can also throw in a scoop of Collagen Protein. This will further help to restore gut health. Collagen can seal the leaks in your gut by repairing damaged cells in the lining of your digestive tract and building new tissue.
Providing your body with the nutrients it needs to heal your gut is essential for optimal health. So, if you’re dealing with symptoms of leaky gut syndrome and you want to restore gut health and get on the path to lifelong wellness, Leaky Gut Revive® is a must-have!
The Final Word on Herbs That Restore Gut Health
It cannot be emphasized enough how important our gut health is to our overall well-being. If you’ve been experiencing annoying symptoms like seasonal allergies, brain fog, or skin issues, it could very well be your gut trying to tell you something!
Leaky gut syndrome can creep up on you. However, the good news is that Mother Nature has an answer for that! The six powerful herbs and nutrients discussed in this article offer a natural and effective way to achieve optimal gut health. Isn’t it comforting to know the power is in your hands?
Take the first step toward restoring your gut health with Leaky Gut Revive®. This supplement I formulated contains the six herbs that restore gut health. It’s easy to consume. Just mix a scoop with water and enjoy. You can go with flavorless or our delicious strawberry lemonade flavor. Either way, you’ll be treating your gut right and enjoying the benefits!