Gastroenteritis: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, is typically characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, often resulting from the ingestion of contaminated food or water, or due to a viral or bacterial infection.

If left untreated, gastroenteritis can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and potentially life-threatening complications. To alleviate symptoms, herbal remedies such as peppermint, ginger, and chamomile can be used, often in the form of teas, infusions, or capsules.

However, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, as some may interact with other medications or exacerbate underlying conditions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of gastroenteritis, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of gastroenteritis?

The main causes of gastroenteritis are bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections, with norovirus, rotavirus, and Campylobacter being the most common culprits.

Bacteria such as Salmonella, Shigella, and E. coli can contaminate food and water, while viruses like norovirus and rotavirus are highly contagious and spread through person-to-person contact. Parasites like Giardia and Cryptosporidium can also cause gastroenteritis, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems. Contaminated food and water, particularly in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene, are significant risk factors for gastroenteritis.

Additionally, food handlers who do not follow proper hygiene practices can spread the infection, highlighting the importance of proper hand hygiene and sanitation.

• Norovirus: Norovirus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis, often spread through contaminated food, water, and close contact with an infected person, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.
• Rotavirus: Rotavirus is a leading cause of gastroenteritis, particularly in young children, often spread through contaminated food, water, and close contact with an infected person, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.
• Bacterial: Bacterial gastroenteritis is a common cause, often spread through contaminated food, water, and close contact with an infected person, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.
• Vibrio: Vibrio is a common cause of gastroenteritis, often spread through contaminated seafood, particularly oysters, and contaminated water, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.
• Salmonella: Salmonella is a common cause of gastroenteritis, often spread through contaminated poultry, meat, and eggs, and contaminated water, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.
• E. coli: E. coli is a common cause of gastroenteritis, often spread through contaminated food, particularly ground beef, and contaminated water, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.
• Campylobacter: Campylobacter is a common cause of gastroenteritis, often spread through contaminated poultry, meat, and eggs, and contaminated water, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.
• Clostridium difficile: Clostridium difficile is a cause of gastroenteritis, often spread through contaminated healthcare settings, particularly after antibiotic use, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.
• Shigella: Shigella is a cause of gastroenteritis, often spread through contaminated food, particularly raw vegetables, and contaminated water, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.
• Yersinia: Yersinia is a less common cause of gastroenteritis, often spread through contaminated food, particularly pork, and contaminated water, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for gastroenteritis?

The main medicinal herbs used for gastroenteritis are Zingiber officinale, Curcuma longa, Aloe barbadensis, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Cinchona officinalis, Foeniculum vulgare, Mentha x piperita, Silybum marianum, Aloe vera, Ginkgo biloba.

Zingiber officinale has anti-inflammatory properties that help alleviate nausea and vomiting associated with gastroenteritis, due to its gingerols and shogaols. Curcuma longa contains curcumin which has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the gastrointestinal tract. Aloe barbadensis, also known as Aloe vera, is used to soothe and calm irritated mucous membranes in the gut, while Glycyrrhiza glabra has anti-inflammatory properties that help protect the mucous membranes and reduce inflammation.

Cinchona officinalis, Foeniculum vulgare, Mentha x piperita, Silybum marianum are used to treat the symptoms of gastroenteritis by their antispasmodic and carminative properties, and Ginkgo biloba is used for its antioxidant properties to prevent oxidative stress in the gastrointestinal tract.

• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, helps alleviate gastroenteritis symptoms by reducing nausea and vomiting due to its gingerols and shogaols content, which have anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the stomach lining and alleviate pain.
• Curcuma longa: Curcuma longa, or turmeric, helps alleviate gastroenteritis symptoms by reducing inflammation and modulating the immune response due to its curcumin content, which has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce gut inflammation and alleviate symptoms.
• Aloe barbadensis: Aloe barbadensis, or aloe vera, helps alleviate gastroenteritis symptoms by soothing and protecting the mucous membranes in the digestive tract due to its aloe-emodin and aloin content, which have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that help to reduce inflammation and combat infections.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra, or licorice root, helps alleviate gastroenteritis symptoms by reducing inflammation and protecting the gut lining due to its glycyrrhizin content, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help to reduce inflammation and protect the gut from further damage.
• Cinchona officinalis: Cinchona officinalis, or cinchona, helps alleviate gastroenteritis symptoms by reducing fever and alleviating pain due to its quinine content, which has antipyretic and analgesic properties that help to reduce fever and alleviate pain associated with gastroenteritis.
• Foeniculum vulgare: Foeniculum vulgare, or fennel, helps alleviate gastroenteritis symptoms by reducing inflammation and alleviating gas and bloating due to its anethole and fenchone content, which have anti-inflammatory and carminative properties that help to reduce inflammation and alleviate digestive discomfort.
• Mentha x piperita: Mentha x piperita, or peppermint, helps alleviate gastroenteritis symptoms by reducing inflammation and alleviating nausea and vomiting due to its menthol and menthone content, which have anti-inflammatory and anti-emetic properties that help to reduce inflammation and alleviate nausea and vomiting.
• Silybum marianum: Silybum marianum, or milk thistle, helps alleviate gastroenteritis symptoms by protecting the liver and reducing inflammation due to its silymarin content, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help to protect the liver and reduce inflammation associated with gastroenteritis.
• Aloe vera: Aloe vera, or Aloe barbadensis, helps alleviate gastroenteritis symptoms by soothing and protecting the mucous membranes in the digestive tract due to its aloe-emodin and aloin content, which have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that help to reduce inflammation and combat infections.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba does not have a well-documented role in alleviating gastroenteritis symptoms and is primarily used to improve memory and cognitive function due to its flavonoids and terpenoids content.

What are the main herbal preparations used for gastroenteritis?

The main herbal preparations used for gastroenteritis are Decoction, Tincture, Capsule, Suppository, Salve, Ointment, Poultice, Gel, Cream, Elixir.

Decoction is a liquid preparation made by steeping herbs in water, useful for soothing digestive issues like diarrhea and nausea due to its antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties. Tincture, an alcohol-based extract, can be used topically or internally to relieve abdominal pain and fever by its antimicrobial and antiviral effects. Capsule, containing powdered herbs, can be used to deliver anti-inflammatory compounds like ginger and turmeric to reduce inflammation and promote digestion.

Additionally, suppositories, salve, ointment, poultice, gel, cream, and elixir, can be used to deliver anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial compounds to the affected area, relieving symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain.

• Decoction: A decoction of the roots of the plant Gentiana lutea, also known as gentian, helps with gastroenteritis because it stimulates digestive enzymes and increases bile production, which can help alleviate nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Tincture: A tincture of the leaves of the plant Yarrow Achillea millefolium helps with gastroenteritis because it has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the digestive tract, alleviate nausea and vomiting, and soothe the stomach.
• Capsule: A capsule containing the seeds of the plant Foeniculum vulgare, also known as fennel, helps with gastroenteritis because it contains anethole, a compound that has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties that can help relax the muscles in the digestive tract and alleviate cramping and diarrhea.
• Suppository: A suppository containing the root of the plant Berberis vulgaris, also known as barberry, helps with gastroenteritis because it has antimicrobial properties that can help eliminate harmful bacteria in the digestive tract, alleviate diarrhea, and soothe the stomach.
• Salve: A salve containing the leaves of the plant Calendula officinalis helps with gastroenteritis because it has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe the stomach, reduce inflammation in the digestive tract, and alleviate symptoms of nausea and vomiting.
• Ointment: An ointment containing the root of the plant Aloe barbadensis helps with gastroenteritis because it has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe the stomach, reduce inflammation in the digestive tract, and alleviate symptoms of nausea and vomiting.
• Poultice: A poultice containing the leaves of the plant Plantago lanceolata helps with gastroenteritis because it has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the digestive tract, alleviate symptoms of nausea and vomiting, and soothe the stomach.
• Gel: A gel containing the root of the plant Glycyrrhiza glabra, also known as licorice root, helps with gastroenteritis because it has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe the stomach, reduce inflammation in the digestive tract, and alleviate symptoms of nausea and vomiting.
• Cream: A cream containing the flowers of the plant Calendula officinalis helps with gastroenteritis because it has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe the stomach, reduce inflammation in the digestive tract, and alleviate symptoms of nausea and vomiting.
• Elixir: An elixir containing the root of the plant Zingiber officinale, also known as ginger, helps with gastroenteritis because it has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe the stomach, reduce inflammation in the digestive tract, and alleviate symptoms of nausea and vomiting.