--- title: "51 Herbs for Digestion: Evidence & Safety" description: "Herbs traditionally used or studied for indigestion, gas, bloating and constipation. Each herb lists its evidence level and safety warnings." language: en url: https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/ source: Herbadex (https://herbadex.com) --- Explore by need # Digestion Herbs traditionally used or studied for indigestion, gas, bloating and constipation. Each herb lists its evidence level and safety warnings. 51 herbs · 12 with clinical evidence (A/B) · 18 not marked avoid in pregnancy Search herbs Forms of useSort Hide herbs to avoid in pregnancyHide external-use-only herbsStrong / limited evidence only (A/B) These filters do not guarantee safety. Results may include herbs with unknown safety. **51** herbs found ### [Alder Buckthorn Bark](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/alder-buckthorn-bark/) A Strong clinical evidence Frangula alnus Frangula bark is a stimulant laxative for short-term relief of occasional constipation. Use for 1 week at most; not under 12 or in pregnancy. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Castor Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/castor-oil/) A Strong clinical evidence Ricinus communis A strong, fast-acting laxative with well-known efficacy for short-term constipation. Do not use it on your own to start labour. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/) [Carrier Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/form/carrier-oil/) ### [Flaxseed](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/flaxseed/) A Strong clinical evidence Linum usitatissimum Taken with plenty of liquid, flaxseed may help soften stools in habitual constipation; drinking enough fluid with it is essential. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/form/seed/) ### [Ginger](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/ginger/) A Strong clinical evidence Zingiber officinale Powdered ginger root taken before travel may help prevent motion-sickness nausea; it is also traditionally used for mild indigestion. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Joints, Bones & Pain](https://herbadex.com/en/for/joints-pain/) +1 [Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/) ### [Peppermint Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/peppermint-oil/) A Strong clinical evidence Mentha × piperita Gastro-resistant peppermint oil capsules may ease IBS cramps, wind and pain; oil rubbed on the forehead may ease mild tension headache. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Joints, Bones & Pain](https://herbadex.com/en/for/joints-pain/) +1 [Essential Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/form/essential-oil/) ### [Psyllium Husk](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/psyllium-husk/) A Strong clinical evidence Plantago ovata Taken with plenty of water, psyllium husk helps soften stools in constipation; keep a gap between it and other medicines. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Heart & Circulation](https://herbadex.com/en/for/heart-circulation/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Senna](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/senna/) A Strong clinical evidence Senna alexandrina A stimulant laxative for short-term relief of occasional constipation. No longer than 1 week; not for children under 12, in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [St. John's Wort](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/st-johns-wort/) A Strong clinical evidence Hypericum perforatum St John's wort extract may help with mild to moderate depressive episodes, but it seriously interacts with many medicines, including the pill. [Sleep, Stress & Mood](https://herbadex.com/en/for/sleep-stress/) [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Bitter Melon in Olive Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/bitter-melon-in-olive-oil/) B Limited clinical evidence Momordica charantia A folk remedy of bitter melon steeped in olive oil. Small studies saw a modest fall in blood sugar; it has not been shown to heal ulcers. [Metabolism, Weight & Blood Sugar](https://herbadex.com/en/for/metabolism/) [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Syrup & Paste](https://herbadex.com/en/form/syrup-paste/) ### [Black Pepper](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/black-pepper/) B Limited clinical evidence Piper nigrum The world's most widely used spice. Its piperine markedly increases the absorption of some compounds, such as curcumin from turmeric. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [General Nutrition](https://herbadex.com/en/for/general-nutrition/) [Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/) ### [Cumin](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/cumin/) B Limited clinical evidence Cuminum cyminum An essential spice for meatballs and pulses. Small clinical studies saw mild benefit for bloating, IBS symptoms and weight control. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Metabolism, Weight & Blood Sugar](https://herbadex.com/en/for/metabolism/) [Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/form/seed/) ### [Sumac](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/sumac/) B Limited clinical evidence Rhus coriaria A sour, red spice. Small clinical studies reported modest improvements in blood sugar and cholesterol in type 2 diabetes. [Metabolism, Weight & Blood Sugar](https://herbadex.com/en/for/metabolism/) [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/) ### [Allspice](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/allspice/) T Traditional use Pimenta dioica A fragrant spice reminiscent of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg combined. Traditionally used for indigestion and wind; there are no clinical data. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/) ### [Anise](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/anise/) T Traditional use Pimpinella anisum Aniseed tea is traditionally used for mild digestive complaints such as bloating and wind, and for cough that comes with a cold. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/) [Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/form/seed/) ### [Artichoke Leaf](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/artichoke-leaf/) T Traditional use Cynara cardunculus (syn. C. scolymus) Artichoke leaf is traditionally used for indigestion with fullness, bloating and wind; it must not be used with gallbladder disease. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Basil](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/basil/) T Traditional use Ocimum basilicum An aromatic culinary herb. Traditionally used for indigestion and wind; calming effects have only been seen in animal studies. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Sleep, Stress & Mood](https://herbadex.com/en/for/sleep-stress/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Bay Leaf](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/bay-leaf/) T Traditional use Laurus nobilis A Mediterranean herb that flavours food. Traditionally used for indigestion and wind; effects on blood sugar come only from small early studies. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Metabolism, Weight & Blood Sugar](https://herbadex.com/en/for/metabolism/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Buckthorn Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/buckthorn-seed/) T Traditional use Rhamnus cathartica Anthraquinone-containing fruits with a very strong laxative effect. Used only short term and at low doses for occasional constipation. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/form/seed/) ### [Cajun Seasoning](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/cajun-seasoning/) T Traditional use Capsicum annuum, Piper nigrum, Allium sativum A Louisiana-style blend of cayenne, black pepper, garlic, onion and thyme. It flavours food; any health effect comes from its spices. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Metabolism, Weight & Blood Sugar](https://herbadex.com/en/for/metabolism/) [Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/) ### [Cardamom](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/cardamom/) T Traditional use Elettaria cardamomum A ginger-family spice that flavours coffee and desserts. Traditionally used for indigestion and wind; other effects come from small early studies. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Heart & Circulation](https://herbadex.com/en/for/heart-circulation/) [Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/) ### [Centaury](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/centaury/) T Traditional use Centaurium erythraea Centaury herb tea is traditionally used for mild indigestion and temporary loss of appetite; do not confuse it with St John's wort. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Chamomile](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/chamomile/) T Traditional use Matricaria recutita A gentle herbal tea traditionally used for bloating and mild stomach cramps, common cold symptoms and mouth or throat irritation. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Immunity](https://herbadex.com/en/for/immunity/) +2 [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Chebulic Myrobalan](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/chebulic-myrobalan/) T Traditional use Terminalia chebula A component of the Ayurvedic Triphala blend. Traditionally used as a mild laxative and, at low doses, as an astringent; clinical data are limited. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/) ### [Cinnamon](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/cinnamon/) T Traditional use Cinnamomum verum Ceylon cinnamon bark tea is traditionally used for mild digestive complaints such as bloating and wind, and for mild diarrhoea. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/) - [Clove](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/clove/) · Syzygium aromaticum - [Coriander](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/coriander/) · Coriandrum sativum - [Costus Root](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/costus-root/) · Saussurea costus - [Cubeb Pepper](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/cubeb-pepper/) · Piper cubeba - [Curry Powder](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/curry-powder/) · Curcuma longa, Coriandrum sativum, Cuminum cyminum, Trigonella foenum-graecum - [Devil's Claw](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/devils-claw/) · Harpagophytum procumbens, H. zeyheri - [Fennel](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/fennel/) · Foeniculum vulgare - [Fenugreek](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/fenugreek/) · Trigonella foenum-graecum - [Fumitory](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/fumitory/) · Fumaria officinalis - [Isot Pepper](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/isot-pepper/) · Capsicum annuum - [Lady's Mantle](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/ladys-mantle/) · Alchemilla vulgaris - [Lemon Balm](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/lemon-balm/) · Melissa officinalis - [Licorice Root](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/licorice-root/) · Glycyrrhiza glabra - [Mahlab](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/mahlab/) · Prunus mahaleb - [Marshmallow Root](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/marshmallow-root/) · Althaea officinalis - [Mastic Gum](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/mastic-gum/) · Pistacia lentiscus - [Milk Thistle](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/milk-thistle/) · Silybum marianum - [Mint](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/mint/) · Mentha × piperita - [Nutmeg](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/nutmeg/) · Myristica fragrans - [Rosemary](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/rosemary/) · Salvia rosmarinus (syn. Rosmarinus officinalis) - [Sage](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/sage/) · Salvia officinalis - [Sandy Everlasting](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/sandy-everlasting/) · Helichrysum arenarium - [Turmeric](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/turmeric/) · Curcuma longa - [Witch Hazel](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/witch-hazel/) · Hamamelis virginiana - [Yarrow](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/yarrow/) · Achillea millefolium - [Yedi Turlu Spice Blend](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/yedi-turlu-spice-blend/) · Piper nigrum, Pimenta dioica, Cinnamomum verum, Syzygium aromaticum, Myristica fragrans, Zingiber officinale, Elettaria cardamomum - [Za'atar](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/zaatar/) · Thymbra spicata, Rhus coriaria, Sesamum indicum This page is for information only and is not medical advice. If you take medication, are pregnant, or have a health condition, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before use.