Just recently, a study published in Neurogastroenterology and Motility journal has confirmed that herbal medicines, specifically Japanese herbal medicines, which is manufactured in standardized form with regards to quality and quantity of ingredients, have been found to be effective in reducing the symptoms of GI disorders such as dyspepsia, constipation, and postoperative ileus.  The researchers confirmed that many of the drugs used to treat GI motility disorders are indeed either ineffective or cause unwanted side effects and herbal medicine is a great alternative to such treatments.

The study examined a number of herbal treatments, one Japanese herbal medicine called Rikkunshi-to, which is prepared from eight herbs, was found effective in reducing the discomfort of dyspepsia.  Another, called Dai-Kenchu-to, from a mixture of ginseng, ginger, and zanthoxylum fruit, was found to be beneficial for constipation in children and patients suffering from disruption of normal bowel movements after an operation and another, called, hangeshashin-to, reduced the severity and frequency of diarrhea caused by anti-cancer drugs.  Despite their effectiveness, the researchers say the health benefits of standardized formulations of herbal medicines need to be more rigorously examined, particularly in the Western world, especially as the field of integrative medicine becomes increasingly popular.