Herbal Treatment for Hernias

A hernia can develop in nearly any area of your body, but the most common hernia type occurs in the abdomen; it begins when a part of your stomach moves through an opening in your diaphragm. Sometimes you can have a small hernia and not even know it, but other times a larger hernia can give you symptoms like gas, belching, nausea, and acid reflux. At times, a hernia can become severe, and the herniated portion of the stomach becomes strangulated.

Herbal Remedies vs. Medical Attention

Medical attention is required if the hernia is strangulated, because the blood supply to the area is blocked. If you experience problems swallowing, if you feel a blockage in your esophagus, or if you experience pain in the chest, you should visit the doctor to rule out an extreme hernia. Surgery might be required to repair the condition. If however, you have a mild hernia, herbal treatments can help in alleviating some of the symptoms you might experience. You can purchase the herbs listed here online or at a local health food store.

Barberry

Barberry is an herb that has been used for centuries to treat gastrointestinal issues, and for relief of stomach upset. Barberry has berberine in it. This is an alkaloid that has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agents to help in reducing the chance of developing an infection or gastrointestinal irritation. Further, this herb helps to smooth over the intestinal walls and relax the muscles, and alleviates gastrointestinal discomfort. You can safely consume barberry at a dosage of six 500-mg capsules daily, two before every meal.

Bromelain

The benefits of bromelain, an enzyme, were first discovered in the 1800s. It helps to diminish healing time, to reduce inflammation, and to alleviate pain. This enzyme is also excellent for acid reflux or heartburn. A cup of pineapples daily provides an all-natural source of bromelain. A capsule supplement can ease digestive processes; you can safely consume up to 500 mg a day, and you should take them before meals for improved digestion.

Devil’s Claw

Devil’s claw is an herb that is beneficial as a heartburn treatment and for restoring a poor appetite to a healthier state. Devil’s claw contains harpogosides, which offer anti-inflammatory agents and pain relief. This herb is available in capsule form at a dosage of two to three 300 mg each day with a meal to alleviate heartburn associated with a hiatal hernia. You should take the supplementation for a period of nine weeks, stop for two, and then repeat for another nine weeks, so that the body does not develop a tolerance to the herb.

Hawthornia

Hawthornia is a mixture of herbs used to treat femoral hernias (a protrusion of the intestines in the thigh area), inguinal hernias (a bulge in the scrotum or groin), and umbilical hernias (a protrusion near the belly button). The chief ingredients in the herb mixture include a unification of hawthorn, citris seed, litchi seed, and fennel, but this herbal supplement also contains peach kernel, corydalis tuber, nutgrass, kelp, china-berry fruit, three-nerved spicebush, flatsedge, kelp, and oriental water plantain. The supplement is offered in 500 mg capsules, which you can consume at a dosage of two capsules daily for improved muscular support in the area where the hernia originates.

A hernia can develop in nearly any area of your body