Like most people, you probably don’t give much thought to digestion—until something feels off. Maybe it’s occasional indigestion or heartburn, and the quick fix is often a trip to the medicine cabinet for an over-the-counter remedy.

But before you reach for that familiar bottle, it may be worth pausing for a moment. Here’s something to consider.

The Over-the-Counter Approach

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration sent out a warning that it had found low levels of a cancer-causing chemical in samples of the popular heartburn medication Zantac. The chemical, a type of nitrosamine, has been shown to cause tumors in lab animals’ livers and other organs. It’s also believed to be a carcinogen for humans. As a result, at the time of the article, it was being pulled from the shelves of many large pharmacies, including Walgreens, Rite Aid, and CVS.

Digestive discomfort may arise after a heavy meal or overeating, showing up as occasional bloating, gas, or a heavy feeling in the stomach.

Maybe you reach for a pill to relieve the discomfort and then forget about your discomfort until the next time. While some people turn to OTC medications for relief, others explore traditional wellness practices that support digestive comfort through time-tested herbal approaches.

Natural Alternative from the World of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine takes an entirely different approach. According to Chinese Medicine theory, proper digestion goes beyond the stomach. It is often seen as the gateway to overall good health.

Indigestion, from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, is often described as food not moving smoothly through the digestive system—a concept known as "food stagnation" or "accumulation." To support healthy digestion and ease occasional bloating, belching, or that heavy feeling after meals, you might consider a traditional herbal formula like Bao He Wan.

Used for generations, it’s commonly taken to promote digestive comfort. Some also choose to use it regularly as part of their wellness routine to support ongoing digestive health.

Bao He Wan is a traditional blend of eight Chinese herbs that are used together to support healthy digestion. In traditional Chinese medicine, this combination is believed to help maintain the natural movement of food through the digestive system and to encourage overall digestive comfort.

In Chinese Medicine that stagnation is associated with "stomach fire", or heat, necessary to burn through the stoppage. A stomach’s job is to digest, not cause heat—so if the stomach needs to crank up the heat, it can indicate a backlog of food that may need something extra to move it along.

Digestive Harmony of Working through Food Stagnation

Because digestion plays such a central role in overall well-being, many people turn to traditional formulas like Bao He Wan to support a balanced digestive process. In traditional Chinese medicine, Bao He Wan is believed to help food move downward through the digestive tract, support nutrient absorption, and assist in the clearing of waste that is not absorbed.

When digestion is disrupted, traditional theory suggests it can affect the flow of Qi—the vital energy believed to power the body. Over time, this disruption may lead to a buildup of what practitioners call “dampness,” which can be associated with loose stools or occasional diarrhea. If this continues unchecked, traditional belief holds that it may lead to a sense of ongoing imbalance, according to traditional beliefs

Rather than wait for digestive discomfort to become more frequent, it can be helpful to support balance with traditional wellness approaches. Bao He Wan, used regularly or as needed, is traditionally taken to help clear food accumulation and promote smooth digestive function—supporting the body’s natural rhythm and comfort after meals.

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Dr. Eric Karchmer is a practicing Chinese medical doctor, medical anthropologist, and co-founder and Chief Doctor of Chinese Medicine for DAO Labs. From 1995-2000, Eric studied at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and today is both a licensed acupuncturist and professor at Appalachian State University. Eric can be reached at drkarchmer@mydaolabs.com.