Gastroparesis: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Gastroparesis, a chronic and debilitating condition, is characterized by delayed stomach emptying due to impaired gastric motility, resulting in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, and abdominal pain.

It is often caused by diabetes, certain medications, and neurological disorders. If left untreated, gastroparesis can lead to malnutrition, weight loss, and increased risk of infections and even mortality. To alleviate symptoms, herbal remedies such as ginger, peppermint, and fennel can be effective in soothing the stomach and improving digestion.

However, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, especially for those with underlying medical conditions, as they can interact with medications or exacerbate health issues.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of gastroparesis, 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 gastroparesis?

Diabetes, particularly type 1, is a leading cause of gastroparesis due to its ability to damage the vagus nerve, which regulates stomach contractions.

Other underlying conditions such as Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and amyloidosis also contribute to gastroparesis through similar nerve damage. Additionally, certain medications like anticholinergics, antipsychotics, and opioid analgesics can impair stomach motility, leading to gastroparesis. Idiopathic gastroparesis, where no underlying cause is found, accounts for approximately 50% of cases.

Furthermore, gastroparesis can also be caused by gastrectomy or previous gastric surgery, which can disrupt stomach muscle function.

• Diabetes: Diabetes, particularly type 1 and type 2, is the most common cause of gastroparesis due to the damage it causes to the nerves that control the stomach muscles, leading to impaired gastric emptying.
• Medications: Medications such as anticholinergics, antihistamines, and narcotics can cause gastroparesis as a side effect, as they interfere with the nerves that regulate the stomach's contractions and motility.
• Idiopathic: Idiopathic gastroparesis occurs when the cause is unknown, but it is thought to be related to abnormal nerve function, hormonal imbalances, or other underlying factors that affect the stomach's motility.
• Autoimmune: Autoimmune disorders such as lupus, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis can cause gastroparesis due to the inflammation and damage they cause to the stomach muscles and nerves.
• Surgery: Surgical procedures such as gastric bypass surgery and other abdominal surgeries can cause gastroparesis by damaging the nerves that control the stomach's contractions and motility.
• Neurological: Neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and amyloidosis can cause gastroparesis due to the damage they cause to the nerves that regulate the stomach's contractions and motility.
• Infection: Infections such as viral gastroenteritis and bacterial infections can cause gastroparesis by damaging the stomach muscles and nerves, leading to impaired gastric emptying.
• Hormonal: Hormonal imbalances such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause gastroparesis due to the effect they have on the stomach's motility and contractions.
• Cancer: Cancer, particularly pancreatic cancer, can cause gastroparesis by compressing or invading the nerves that regulate the stomach's contractions and motility.
• Other: Other conditions such as celiac disease, gastrectomy, and congenital conditions can cause gastroparesis due to the damage they cause to the stomach muscles and nerves.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for gastroparesis?

The main medicinal herbs used for gastroparesis are Zingiber officinale, Ginkgo biloba, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Panax ginseng, Foeniculum vulgare, Cinchona officinalis, Astragalus membranaceus, Cinnamomum verum, Piper nigrum, Aloe barbadensis.

Zingiber officinale, also known as ginger, has anti-inflammatory properties that may help alleviate nausea and vomiting associated with gastroparesis. Ginkgo biloba may improve blood flow to the stomach and intestines, enhancing digestion and potentially reducing symptoms of gastroparesis. Glycyrrhiza glabra, or licorice root, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer properties, which may help soothe the stomach lining and improve digestion.

Other herbs such as Panax ginseng, Foeniculum vulgare, Cinchona officinalis, Astragalus membranaceus, Cinnamomum verum, Piper nigrum, and Aloe barbadensis may also have beneficial effects on digestion, nausea, and inflammation, but more research is needed to confirm their efficacy in treating gastroparesis.

• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale has been found to help alleviate gastroparesis symptoms due to its ability to stimulate digestive enzyme secretion and improve gastric emptying through its bioactive compounds, including gingerols and shogaols.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba has been traditionally used to help treat gastroparesis by improving gastric motility and increasing blood flow to the digestive system, which can be attributed to the flavonoids and terpenoids present in the plant.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra has been found to help alleviate gastroparesis symptoms by improving gastric emptying and reducing inflammation in the digestive system, which can be attributed to the saponins and flavonoids present in the plant.
• Panax ginseng: Panax ginseng has been traditionally used to help treat gastroparesis by improving gastric motility and reducing inflammation in the digestive system, which can be attributed to the ginsenosides present in the plant.
• Foeniculum vulgare: Foeniculum vulgare has been found to help alleviate gastroparesis symptoms due to its ability to stimulate digestive enzyme secretion and improve gastric emptying through its bioactive compounds, including fenchone and anethole.
• Cinchona officinalis: Cinchona officinalis has been traditionally used to help treat gastroparesis by improving gastric motility and reducing inflammation in the digestive system, which can be attributed to the alkaloids present in the plant, specifically quinine and cinchonine.
• Astragalus membranaceus: Astragalus membranaceus has been found to help alleviate gastroparesis symptoms by improving gastric emptying and reducing inflammation in the digestive system, which can be attributed to the polysaccharides and flavonoids present in the plant.
• Cinnamomum verum: Cinnamomum verum has been found to help alleviate gastroparesis symptoms due to its ability to stimulate digestive enzyme secretion and improve gastric emptying through its bioactive compounds, including cinnamaldehyde and linalool.
• Piper nigrum: Piper nigrum has been traditionally used to help treat gastroparesis by improving gastric motility and reducing inflammation in the digestive system, which can be attributed to the piperine present in the plant.
• Aloe barbadensis: Aloe barbadensis has been found to help alleviate gastroparesis symptoms by reducing inflammation and improving gastric emptying, which can be attributed to the aloin and aloe-emodin present in the plant.

What are the main herbal preparations used for gastroparesis?

The main herbal preparations used for gastroparesis are Decoction, Tincture, Capsule, Suppository, Cream, Powder, Ointment, Liquid Extract, Gel, Elixir.

Decoction is a liquid extract prepared by boiling herbs in water, often used for ginger and peppermint, which stimulate digestive enzymes and improve nausea. Tincture, a concentrated liquid extract, can be used for ginger, peppermint, and licorice root, which have anti-inflammatory properties that may alleviate gastroparesis symptoms. Capsules, containing powdered herbs such as ginger, peppermint, and chamomile, are a convenient and standardized way to administer these herbs.

Additionally, suppositories, creams, powders, ointments, liquid extracts, gels, and elixirs, such as those made from ginger, peppermint, and slippery elm, may also be used to manage gastroparesis symptoms by improving digestion, reducing inflammation, and soothing the gastrointestinal tract.

• Decoction: A decoction of Iberis amara (candytuft) or Berberis aristata (barberry) helps with gastroparesis by stimulating the digestive enzymes and improving the intestinal motility, thus facilitating the movement of food through the digestive tract.
• Tincture: A tincture of Zingiber officinale (ginger) helps with gastroparesis by reducing nausea and vomiting, alleviating stomach discomfort, and improving digestion due to its anti-inflammatory and carminative properties.
• Capsule: A capsule of Trifolium pratense (red clover) helps with gastroparesis by improving the digestion and relieving symptoms of nausea and vomiting due to its anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties.
• Suppository: A suppository of Curcuma longa (turmeric) helps with gastroparesis by reducing inflammation and improving digestion in the intestines, thus facilitating the movement of food through the digestive tract.
• Cream: A cream of Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) helps with gastroparesis by soothing the digestive tract, reducing inflammation, and alleviating stomach discomfort, thus improving digestion and relieving symptoms of gastroparesis.
• Powder: A powder of Plantago psyllium (psyllium) helps with gastroparesis by improving the intestinal motility and promoting regular bowel movements, thus facilitating the movement of food through the digestive tract and alleviating symptoms of gastroparesis.
• Ointment: An ointment of Commiphora mukul (guggul) helps with gastroparesis by reducing inflammation and improving digestion in the intestines, thus facilitating the movement of food through the digestive tract and alleviating symptoms of gastroparesis.
• Liquid Extract: A liquid extract of Valeriana officinalis (valerian) helps with gastroparesis by reducing anxiety and stress, thus alleviating symptoms of nausea and vomiting and improving digestion.
• Gel: A gel of Cetraria islandica (Icelandic moss) helps with gastroparesis by soothing the digestive tract, reducing inflammation, and alleviating stomach discomfort, thus improving digestion and relieving symptoms of gastroparesis.
• Elixir: An elixir of Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice root) helps with gastroparesis by improving the digestion and relieving symptoms of nausea and vomiting due to its anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties.