Phytotherapy in Gastrointestinal Disorders

Gastrointestinal disorders include various disorders affecting organs such as the stomach, intestines, and liver, and while they have an important place in human health, their treatment processes are also complex. These disorders constitute an increasing health problem today and pose a significant burden on both health services and individuals. In the treatment of these disorders, phytotherapy (herbal treatment) is considered an important alternative in addition to traditional medicine. The use of phytotherapy has become preferred because it offers more natural options for patients with fewer side effects. Phytotherapy provides positive effects on the digestive system with its many properties such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial features. In this article, various phytotherapeutic agents (e.g., aloe vera, turmeric, bitter melon, pomegranate, St. John’s wort, mint, black cumin, berberine, garlic, olive leaf, cinnamon, tea, ginger, carnation and nettle) used in gastrointestinal disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux, peptic ulcer, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, colon polyps, colorectal and stomach cancer are discussed and their effects on the digestive system and potential properties in managing symptoms are discussed.