Digestive health is a foundational aspect of overall wellness. When your gut is unhappy, it tends to impact the rest of your daily life. Here at Dao Labs, we understand the importance of digestive wellness and strive to help you feel your best.  But with many options available, what is the most popular and time-tested option in Traditional Chinese Medicine for digestive support on the market?   

This article dives into one of our best-selling formulas, Bao He Wan, known here as Digestive Harmony. We will explore the uses and benefits of this herbal formula to explain why it is the most popular and time-tested option in Traditional Chinese Medicine for digestive support, as well as a few other natural options that stand out for their efficacy in promoting digestive wellness.

The Importance of Digestive Health

Digestive health lies the foundation of our well-being. Our digestive system is responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste efficiently. Imbalanced digestion may affect overall comfort and wellness. TCM approaches aim to support digestive balance and function. 

The enteric nervous system( ENS), part of the greater peripheral nervous system, governs the function of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract while also regulating the immune system, energy levels, nutrient regulation, and circulation. The intricate interplay between the ENS, often referred to as the 'second brain,' and digestive health plays a crucial role in orchestrating optimal gastrointestinal function.

The connection between mental well-being and mood imbalances, and their impact on digestive health highlights the intricate relationship between our emotional state and the proper functioning of the digestive system. Stress, anxiety, and other mood disorders can influence digestive processes, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to health that links mental and digestive well-being.

The gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) is a significant part of the immune system located in the digestive tract. It is estimated that approximately 70-80% of the body's immune cells are found in the gut. This emphasizes the crucial role the gut plays in immune function and overall wellness.

Introducing Bao He Wan: Digestive Harmony

Bao He Wan is a Traditional Chinese herbal formula that has been used for centuries to address digestive support. Its name translates to "Preserve Harmony Pill," reflecting its primary purpose of restoring balance to the digestive system. This formula contains a blend of herbs carefully selected for their digestive benefits, and the synergistic nature between them makes this the most popular and time-tested option in Traditional Chinese Medicine for digestive support

The Herbs of Bao He Wan 

Bao He Wan typically includes a combination of herbs, such as hawthorn, tangerine peel, malt, and more. Each of these ingredients plays a specific role in promoting digestive health.  We outline them and their benefits from the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine: 

• Shan Zha: Hawthorn Berry, known in TCM for its role in supporting digestive comfort, especially during times of occasional digestive upset.

• Shen Qu: Known as medicated Leaven, this herb is used in formulas to reduce food stagnation, move Qi, and reduce fullness and distention.   

• Lai Fu Za: Radish seeds are used here to help reduce the feeling of fullness, decrease excess belching, and reduce food stagnation. 

• Chen Pi: Tangerine peel helps alleviate indigestion and promotes Qi movement. 

• Zhi Ban Sha: The Pinellia rhizome is an herb used for its benefits to dry dampness, transform phlegm, and harmonize the Stomach.

• Fu Ling: Known as Poria, this herbal solution helps to strengthen the digestive system by drying dampness and can help promote urination. 

• Lian Qiao: Forsythia Fruit is known to clear out heat from the digestive system. 

• Mai Ya: Barley Sprouts are known to reduce food stagnation, improve digestion, and strengthen the Stomach. 

How Bao He Wan Works 

Bao He Wan is known as one of the best digestive health supplement due to its ability to harmonize the digestive system. It is traditionally used to support digestive comfort and help ease occasional symptoms of overeating. The combination of herbs in this formula creates a synergistic effect, addressing multiple aspects of digestion to promote overall wellness.  From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, the formula helps:

• Disperses food stagnation
• Harmonizes the Stomach

Conditions Bao He Wan Can Help Support

This herbal solution serves as a valuable addition to your holistic herbal regimen. It proves beneficial for moments of overindulgence or overeating. It also offers support when you've consumed something causing digestive discomfort, alleviating bloating and that sense of fullness. 

Traditional Support with Bao He Wan

Bao He Wan is a classic formula in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), commonly used to support healthy digestion and balance the stomach Qi. It is traditionally taken to help ease occasional symptoms such as:

• A sense of fullness or bloating in the chest or upper abdomen

• Mild digestive discomfort or imbalance

• Occasional belching with an unpleasant odor

• Acidic taste or mild reflux

• Nausea or queasiness

• Reduced appetite

• Loose stools or occasional irregularity

• Occasional constipation

• Unpleasant breath associated with digestive stagnation

Possible Side Effects and Precautions 

While Bao He Wan is generally safe, it may not be suitable for everyone. Some individuals may experience mild side effects, such as loose stools or allergies to certain ingredients.  In particular, from a Traditional Chinese Medicine 

• Contraindicated for those with Spleen Qi Deficiency.
• Use with caution during pregnancy.

The Role of Digestive Health Supplements 

Digestive health supplements have become increasingly popular due to their ability to support and improve the digestive process. Many people turn to supplements to provide digestive support and promote better digestive functioning. 

There's a wide array of digestive health supplements available, including probiotics, digestive enzymes, fiber supplements, and herbal remedies. Among these, Bao He Wan stands out as a herbal formula with a rich history in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

• Probiotics: These supplements contain beneficial bacteria that help maintain a healthy gut microbiome and support digestion.

• Digestive Enzymes: Enzyme supplements aid in breaking down food, especially for individuals with enzyme deficiencies.

• Fiber Supplements: Fiber helps regulate bowel movements and supports overall digestive health.

• Peppermint Oil: Often used to relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, such as abdominal pain and bloating.

• Ginger: supplements can help alleviate nausea, indigestion, and gastrointestinal discomfort. Its warming nature can be quite comforting as well. 

• Chamomile: Chamomile supplements may have a calming effect on the digestive system, reducing symptoms like gas and indigestion.

• Fennel: Fennel supplements are used to ease digestive issues like bloating and gas.

• Slippery Elm: Slippery elm has traditionally been used to support digestive tract comfort and calm occasional digestive upset.

Before starting any new supplement or herbal regimen, it's advisable to consult with a healthcare professional to ensure they are appropriate for your specific needs and health status.

Maintaining good digestive health is essential for overall well-being. In the quest for better digestive health, Bao He Wan stands out as a time-tested herbal solution with a history of success in Traditional Chinese medicine. If you're seeking a natural and effective solution to digestive discomfort, Bao He Wan may be the answer you've been looking for.

Resources

Fleming MA 2nd, Ehsan L, Moore SR, Levin DE. The Enteric Nervous System and Its Emerging Role as a Therapeutic Target. Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2020;2020:8024171.

Wiertsema SP, van Bergenhenegouwen J, Garssen J, Knippels LMJ. The Interplay between the Gut Microbiome and the Immune System in the Context of Infectious Diseases throughout Life and the Role of Nutrition in Optimizing Treatment Strategies. Nutrients. 2021 Mar 9;13(3):886. 

Care Consideration: Just a reminder that the above information is not a substitute for medical care and is not a substitute for medical advice or recommendations from a healthcare provider.  This information is not intended to treat, mitigate, or cure any disease.  That said, we encourage you to connect with an Acupuncturist in your community to learn more about this and other Traditional Chinese Medicine options.  If you’ve got questions about Chinese herbal medicine or getting started with an Acupuncturist, feel free to connect with us at hello@mydaolabs.com.