Holistically Supporting the Nervous and Digestive Systems

Have you ever simultaneously felt inconsistencies with your digestive system and noticed your mental health is off? Maybe this is a common occurrence, or perhaps you thought these two instances were unrelated. You’re not alone! While the gut and brain may appear to be two separate physiological entities, their daily processes are interconnected and highly dependent on one another.

In this post, we’ll introduce the nervous and digestive systems, discuss how their relationship affects our physical and mental health, and explore why it's important to use effective and proactive methods to support these systems and bring them back into holistic harmony.

Our Nervous and Digestive Systems

Our body’s systems work together like the harmony of nature.

If there’s a breakdown with one of our processes, another is sure to follow. So, if you’re experiencing discomfort in one area of the body, it’s important to turn your eyes to the cellular level to figure out the root cause (which can sometimes be elusive). Let’s unpack the relationship between our nervous system and our digestive system to better understand how their functioning is intertwined.

The Gut-Brain Axis

You may be shocked to hear that digestion begins in the brain! But how can that be?

The gut is comprised of:

• The digestive system or gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which includes the gut microbiome (our personal colony of good bacteria).

• The enteric nervous system, which is a series of nerves embedded throughout the GI tract.

The brain, or specifically the central nervous system, controls:

• The peripheral nervous system (sympathetic nervous system/ “fight-or-flight” response and parasympathetic nervous system/ “rest and digest” response)

• The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis

• The autonomic nervous system, which controls all automatic functions like breathing, digestion, and heartbeat.

When food enters the mouth and goes down the esophagus to the stomach, our brain decides whether or not it's time to digest based on our surroundings. If the brain feels safe and “at peace,” the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, and digestion begins.

On the opposite side of the coin, if the brain feels “threatened” or in a state of “dis-ease” , the sympathetic nervous system is activated. Our bodies go into a fight-or-flight response, the HPA axis releases cortisol (the “stress/alert” hormone), and digestion is put on hold.

It turns out the gut also communicates with the brain via the gut microbiome and enteric nervous system. The good bacteria in our gut use the enteric nerves to constantly feed the brain information about the gut’s status, which influences our digestion and mental health. It’s all interconnected!

The Effects of Imbalance

It’s clear that both our nervous system and our digestive system need simultaneous nourishment to function optimally. When we let our guard down about intentionally nurturing the gut and brain, it can have detrimental physical and mental effects on the entire body.

When we ingest food that supports the microbiome in our intestines, like probiotics (additional good bacteria), prebiotics (“food” for the good bacteria), and mineral-rich foods (essential for cellular processes), these bacteria will most likely send a signal to the brain that all is well. However, if we constantly feed our bodies mineral-depleted, processed, high-fat foods that reduce our good bacteria, the brain is more likely to receive an SOS that can result in mental struggles like high stress and feeling down.

When the brain is managing mental health conditions, it often triggers a fight-or-flight response, leading to continued GI issues like abnormal bowel and gut movement (peristalsis), lack of appetite, and stomach pain. This is because the body feels like it has more important things to focus on than digestion - like survival. Experiencing consistent high stress can also hinder nutrient absorption and lead to the depletion of vital minerals. These minerals are considered the “spark plugs of life” and are needed for proper nervous and digestive functioning.

Additionally, when our GI tract has a low level of beneficial bacteria, harmful bacteria colonies can more easily increase, leading to a higher likelihood of irritation, long-term GI conditions, and the need for a heightened immune response. This creates a negative feedback loop where our diet affects our emotions, and vice versa.

Ways to Support the Nervous and Digestive Systems

We’ve explored the cyclical patterns that can occur when our nervous and digestive systems aren’t receiving the support they need, so let’s discuss some effective methods that can encourage overall balance.

Figuring out the root cause of a specific discomfort(s) can be difficult. There are often multiple moving parts, and to make a significant change, balance must be restored at a cellular and constitutional level, which can feel daunting. And while the fast-paced world around us may be telling us to push through, I’ve found that we must slow down to create tangible, intentional change.

Lifestyle Techniques and Support

Slowing down may look like taking our time to thoroughly chew our food so that our body can properly absorb essential nutrients, or it may come in the form of gentle self-care so our nerves can relax and the brain can rest from the fight-or-flight response. One of the most important outcomes of slowing down is to listen to our bodies. Listening to our bodies helps us make connections, which can support a better understanding of which food, spaces, and practices serve us or cause imbalance.

Once you’ve drawn awareness to the issue and are looking to take action, HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) is an incredible place to start. Time and time again, I’ve found that testing, rather than guessing, is the best policy. This simple, non-invasive analysis uses a hair sample to measure “mineral imbalances, excesses, and deficiencies of both essential and toxic elements.” It provides valuable data on a person’s general health (for the last 3 - 4 months) and potential imbalance development, and may disclose insight into metabolism, energy production, the stress response, hormonal imbalances, and thyroid function, and much more. Understanding this information may start you on the road toward a healthier system, as you’ll be able to locate the imbalance and take proactive action with the support of a health practitioner.

I offer HTMA testing as part of my clinical practice, so check out my services here if you’d like to learn more and take the first step in better understanding the root cause of your digestive upset.

External Herbal Support

Lucky for us, various herbs are known for their affinity toward the nervous and digestive systems. There are even herbs that have gained increased attention for their mineral-rich composition!

Digestive System Herbs

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): Sunny, pervasive dandelion! Although the entire plant is considered therapeutic, the leaves specifically focus on the stomach. They contain a bitter principle that encourages the secretion of stomach bile, which helps the GI tract more effectively break down food and receive the nutrients for a harmonious gut-brain axis. You can enjoy dandelion greens in salads, soups, or sautéed with garlic.

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita): A gentle yet invigorating herb that uses aromatic oils to soothe the stomach muscles and support healthy digestion. Peppermint is also known to promote bowel movements in cases of infrequency. A cup of peppermint tea is a wonderful pick-me-up after a heavy meal!

Chamomile (Matricaria recucita): This sweet herb has a dual impact - it works with the nervous and digestive systems! Chamomile soothes overworked, frazzled nerves. It also gently eases bloating and gas and can even promote balanced stomach acid. A cup of chamomile tea after a meal or right before bed works wonders.

Nervine (Nervous System) Herbs

Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum): Also known as “tulsi” holy basil is an herb well-renowned for its effect on the nervous system. Along with its ability to soothe nerves, it works with the stress response to promote balance and stable energy levels. It has a delicious clove-like taste and is lovely alone or as an inclusion to any tea blend.

Milky Oats (Avena sativa): Another dual-action herb! Milky oats are the unripe seed pods of the oat plant, which contain high levels of nutrients, like calcium, iron, zinc, and B vitamins, and have been known to restore damaged nerves. They promote a calm demeanor and may improve cognitive functions. Milky oats can be taken as a tea or extract.

Mineral-Rich Herbs

Nettle (Urtica dioica): You may know this herb as “stinging nettle,” but don’t let its defense fool you. Behind the sting, this herb provides a nutrient-dense array of support. Some of the minerals in nettle include vitamins A, C, D, and E, B vitamins, zinc, iron, and magnesium, which are all essential for vital physiological functions. To enjoy nettles, simply blanch the plant to clean and de-sting them. Then add them to soups, pestos, stir-fries, and more. They have a delicious, green, nourishing flavor!

In Closing,

The interconnected workings of the nervous and digestive systems have a daily impact on our well-being. Although living with mental and GI complications can feel defeating and frustrating, there are supportive tools and resources that can help you feel grounded and nurtured as you work your way toward a balanced system.

If you’re interested in learning more about this topic or would like to schedule a consultation with someone professionally versed in holistic support, I welcome you to reach out at Bayan@wholesticliving.com. I’d be delighted to hear from you!