Lesson 2: The Digestive System

The journey of food

ur digestive system is made of an interconnected web of organs and
glands that have the humongous task to transform food into energy.
We often say that we are what we eat, but it would more correct to
say that we are what we digest, as we absorb a mere 10% of the energy we eat.
Eyes, nose and hypothalamus
Digestion begins in the eyes and in the nose. Smelling, seeing and thinking about
inviting food is enough to trigger our appetite center in the hypothalamus and
start the production of saliva. Just the thought of food is often enough: think of
an acidic and pulpy, bright yellow lemon and you
will see for yourself.
Please your brain, your eyes and your nose
by eating colorful meals in beautiful plates.
Making a ritual out of every meal has an
impressive impact on digestion, notably by
regulating satiety signals.
Practice mindful eating (see video on the
Lesson 2 page)
The mouth and esophagus
In the first stage of digestion, food is crushed and
blended with saliva. Saliva is rich in enzymes that
start the process of chemical digestion. When the
food is properly masticated, it is sent to the
stomach through the oesophagus. The distance
from your mouth to your stomach is covered in less
than 10 seconds.
Ma-sti-ca-te. Masticating will increase the amount of nutrients absorbed.
Take your time.
o
Have you ever played that
game as a child where you
have to pair shapes and their
matching hole? The circle
shape goes in the circle hole,
and the square shape goes in
the square hole. Digestion is
like that. The gut wall is
perforated with a multitude of
different shaped holes, and
molecules match themselves
in the appropriate hole so they
can cross and be released in
the blood or lymph, where
they will be carried to the
organs.
The stomach
When it reaches the stomach, your food is flooded with hypochlorhydric acid
(HCl). This strong acid breaks bonds between molecules, making them
assimilable later on. The stomach is a three-layered muscle: it kneads the food for
approximately one hour before it exits to the small intestine. The stomach also
tests the composition of your food. Is it fat? Is it milk? Is it sugar? It relays this
information to the pancreas and the gallbladder who will release the correct
recipe of enzymes and hormones to digest the precise content of your stomach.
Take carminative herbs before/after meals to stimulate hypochlorhydric
acid (and other digestive juices) production.
Avoid drinking big amounts of water directly before, during, or after meals
to avoid the dilution of hypochlorhydric acid in the stomach.
The gallbladder
Food exits the stomach in small quantities to enter the small intestine. The
gallbladder releases bile, hormones and enzymes through the bile duct directly
in the small intestine. The role of bile is essential to digestion. Synthetized by the
liver and stored in the gallbladder, it holds all the products of detoxification that
are to exit the body. It also emulsifies fat molecules, making them assimilable.
Take bitter herbs to stimulate gallbladder and liver function. This will
greatly contribute to proper detoxification and regulate your blood sugar
balance.
The pancreas
The pancreas is in charge of blood sugar regulation. It discharges its hormones in
the small intestine to control blood sugar levels. If the food you ate is very rich in
sugar, the pancreas will release high amounts of insulin to move the sugar from
the bloodstream to the inside of the cells.
Avoid eating low glycemic index foods to keep your blood sugar smooth
and spare your pancreas. Watch the Low GI Made simple video on the
Lesson 2 page.
The small intestine
When your meal is crushed, kneaded, laden with enzymes, hormones and bile, it
is finally ready to be absorbed. The small intestine is a long tube lined with a
sensitive mucosa and strong smooth muscles. Molecules have to cross this
barrier, whose role is also to prevent pathogen from entering our bloodstream.
The gut lining is a major threshold, much like the skin, where the external
environment is separated from our internal milieu. It takes 6 to 8 hours for a meal
to travel along the small intestine.
The large intestine
The large intestine is host to a varied multitude of beneficial bacteria. Together
they form the gut flora, whose composition is shaped by our diet, our exposition
to antibiotics and whether we were birthed vaginally and breastfed. These
bacteria catalyze the absorption of nutrients and put the last touch to digestion.
A healthy, thriving gut flora is the key to many body functions like immunity
response and mood regulation.
The rectum
The last stop for our food before the exit is the rectum, where feces are stored
before departing for the toilet.
The Ayurvedic Perspective
In Ayurveda, the digestive system is the seat of Agni, the digestive fire. The
strength and vitality of agni commands the bodys health and nourishment. Agni
is our biological fire, the life force driving us and our appetite for life. In order to
keep the digestive system working smooth, ayurvedic herbalists recommend all
kinds of warming herbs. Most of the carminative herbs are also warming. Not all
warming herbs are the same though: some of them have other properties that
make them unique in the treatment of specific conditions. Some are very
warming. Some are very gentle.
Potency of the warming herbs

Agni, our beloved internal fire, burns ama, our body waste. In Ayurveda, every
single disease is caused or aggravated by ama. Ama is the sum of all our toxins,
either waste from metabolic processes or the result of exposure to chemicals in
our environment. When a fire burns proud and tall, it reduces the wood to a fine
powder and produces no soot. The same happens in our body. A strong agni
means little to no ama.
Ayurveda put forward many interesting theories on the functioning of the body.
Its strength lies in a simple language that strikes the imagination. It makes
complete sense to picture digestion as a fire, as it provides energy by degrading
matter. Picturing yourself caring for your digestion as a fire keeper might seem
easier than monitoring your levels of HCl and enzymes.
Fenugreek Turmeric Cinnamon Ginger Pepper Cayenne
Ayurveda, TCM and other energy systems of medicine have a unique
perspective to contribute. Ayurvedic herbs are not any more magic than the
herbs that grow in your backyard. TCM herbs are not more powerful than the
ones that grow in Beiruti sidewalk cracks. Traditional medicine systems provide a
unique view inside the body that makes health a friendly, familiar subject to
ponder and discuss in a simple language.

The Astringent Herbs
Herbs that tone and tighten body tissues.
Astringent herbs are extremely useful herbs as tonics because of their ability to restore the
tone and the defense barrier of tissue. Tea leaf Camellia sinensis is a good example of an
astringent herb: its tightening effect on the tissue of the mouth is undeniable.
Astringent herbs are used when there is excessive bleeding in the reproductive system,
excessive mucus production in the respiratory system or to heal wounds and the digestive
lining. They work best when extracted in water, either as a local bath for wounds or tea for
digestive and reproductive problems.
Indications
Diarrhea, mucus in the stools, parasites, gastro enteritis
Excessive vaginal discharge, heavy menstrual bleeding, menstrual cramps and
inflammation
Burns, cuts and wounds
Excessive mucous discharge in cold and flus, bronchitis, sinusitis and other respiratory
infections
Damaged gut lining
Contraindications
Astringent herbs are mild, but a long-term consumption can impair digestive assimilation. Be
sure not use them for periods of more than 3 weeks at a time.
Astringent herbs
Tea leaf Camellia sinensis
Raspberry leaf Rubus idaeus
Plantain leaf Plantago majoris
Yarrow flower and leaf Achillea millefolium
Rose petal Rosa spp.
The Bitter Herbs
Herbs that sti mulate digestive function and t he metabolism.
Bitter herbs are digestive stimulant. When we taste the bitter taste, may it be the unbearable
bitterness of gentian or the milder taste of dandelion, a domino effect is set in motion. The
salivary glands release saliva. The stomach releases acid. The pancreas releases enzymes and
blood sugar balancing hormones. The gallbladder releases bile. The whole body sighs in relief,
and the mind is relaxed.
This releasing cascade causes many things in the body: first the metabolism is nudged and
second the digestion is remarkably improved, increasing food absorption, clearing
constipation and sluggish digestion. With the releasing of these substances also comes the
releasing of toxins: bitter herbs are excellent detoxifying herbs. They also do well against many
gynecological troubles that take root in hormonal imbalances, such as PMS and irregular
cycles.
Because their impact is so wide, bitter herbs are of great help to heal chronic disease at their
root. Taste them before and after meals for increased effectiveness. Pills and capsules wont
do the trick: this is medicine that needs to be tasted to be effective.
See the recipes section for a bitter tincture recipe.
Indications
Constipation, slow digestion, bloating, gastric reflux, sleepiness after meals
PMS, irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, sugar cravings
Acne, black heads, eczema
Loss of appetite, anorexia, convalescence
Irritability, difficulty to let go, excessive anger and resentment
Contraindications
Bitter herbs are contraindicated during pregnancy. They should also be avoided in the case
of gallbladder or kidney stones. Diabetic people that use synthetic insulin will need to adjust
doses, as bitter herbs, like insulin, have a hypoglycemic effect.
Bitter herbs
Rhubarb root Rheum palmatum
Chamomile flower Matricaria recutita
Gentian root Gentiana lutea
Artichoke leaf Cynara scolymus
Dandelion root Taraxacum officinale
Plant profile
Rhubarb
Latin : Rheum palmatum Arabi c: Part used: root
Actions
Bitter
Laxative
Astringent
Hypoglycemic

Indications
Rhubarb root is a very bitter root used for bitter deficiency syndrome as well as constipation. It
is perfect for the treatment of occasional constipation, as it strongly stimulates the gallbladder
while toning the mucosa of the gut. This special astringent and bitter combination has a
detoxifying action. It will also act as a good blood sugar regulator, helping to curb sugar
cravings.
Detox
Constipation
Atonic liver and gallbladder
Dyspepsia
Sugar cravings
Contraindications
Rhubarb, though it is astringent, is very bitter and as such does not suit diarrhea treatment.
People with gallbladder stone will have to avoid it too, and people with diabetes will have to
pay a closer attention to their blood sugar because of rhubarbs hypoglycemic effect. Like all
bitter, it is not advised during pregnancy.
Preparation
You can take 1 to 2 mL of alcohol based tincture up to twice a day. A decoction is good too,
but do not sweeten it and avoid capsules. Remember: the bitter taste has to be tasted to be
effective.