Like most people, you probably take digestion for granted—at least until there’s a problem. So, when something goes wrong, such as indigestion or heartburn, do you reach for over-the-counter heartburn medication to ease the discomfort?

You might want to think twice. Here’s why.

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.

Indigestion or heartburn tend to show up if you’ve overindulged in rich, heavy foods or after you’ve eaten too much. You know the symptoms: include bloating, gas, belching, burning sensation, or abdominal pain and nausea.

Maybe you reach for a pill to relieve the discomfort and then forget about your discomfort until the next time. But that pill may not be the best option - luckily, Traditional Chinese Medicine theory offers natural digestive support.

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, on the other hand, is viewed as food being stopped from moving naturally through the system. This stoppage is referred to as food stagnation or accumulation. To help keep the stomach operating efficiently, Bao He Wan just may be what you reach for the next time you experience the bloating, belching, and heavy feeling that accompanies indigestion. Even better, use it regularly to help prevent the issues that cause indigestion.

Bao He Wan is a complement of eight Chinese herbs that work in concert to keep your digestion flowing normally. Taking these herbs can help food move along the digestive tract smoothly, keeping it from accumulating and stagnating in the stomach.

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 can affect all aspects of health, regular use of Bao He Wan may help food descend through the digestive system, promote proper absorption of nutrients and remove products that can’t be absorbed. When normal digestion is interrupted, it can begin a chain reaction of continued disruption and obstruct the body’s Qi, or vital energy that animates the internal body.

Long-term obstruction, according to Traditional Chinese theory, can build "dampness". That excess dampness often becomes loose stool or diarrhea. If food accumulation is allowed to continue, it can cause chronic loose stools and diarrhea, which can be inconvenient, or if untreated, disabling. 

Rather than let that happen, it makes sense to adjust your eating habits to restore digestive harmony.  Bao He Wan, as a preventive, can reset a strong digestive system by naturally helping to clear accumulated food through the system. In cases of indigestion and heartburn, it can help eliminate food stagnation to restore normal peristaltic action so that undigested food doesn’t linger, stopping up your system. 

Actively pursuing digestive harmony goes beyond Band-aide therapy. It’s a powerful step in strengthening digestion and overall health.

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.