The Gut-Mind Connection and Herbal Medicine

What is the Gut-Mind Connection?

The gut-mind connection, also referred to as the ‘gut-brain axis’ or ‘microbiome-gut-brain axis’, is a connection between the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and the central nervous system (CNS). In other words, it works like a two-way street - when stimulated in one direction, signals travel up to the brain and vice versa. This means that if we are feeling stressed or anxious, this can trigger nausea or indigestion in our GI tract; similarly, if we have an upset stomach due to food poisoning or bacteria imbalance, then this can cause anxiety or depression.

Herbal Medicine & Its Role in Supporting Gut Health

Herbal medicine has been used for centuries as a form of natural healing for physical ailments as well as mental illnesses. Herbs contain many active properties which allow them to act on various physiological systems such as hormones and neurotransmitters which influence our emotions. For example, Chamomile is known for its calming effects on the body and mind while peppermint helps relax muscles which could be causing digestive discomfort. Other herbs such as Turmeric are known for their anti-inflammatory properties which can help calm inflammation within our digestive tract. Our Instil tea blends are formulated to work synergistically, which have an even greater effect than consuming these herbs individually. Our Ease blend works to calm and ground the mind and body, which in turn supports the digestive processes. Also, the Harmony blend is a comprehensive blend that supports the many steps of the digestive process.

The gut-mind connection is an important concept to understand when managing our overall health and well-being. When looked at holistically, it becomes apparent how important taking care of both our bodies and minds is in order to feel balanced mentally and physically.