Researchers from Malaysia’s Islamic Science University tested 30 patients with gastrointestinal issues, dividing them into three groups. One received lactose, a placebo; another group was given omeprazole, an over-the-counter remedy; and the third Phyllanthus emblica Linn, an ayurvedic treatment for gastrointestinal issues also known as Indian gooseberry.

The research found the herbal treatment resulted in less pain, vomiting, sleep loss and other issues. Participants’ intestinal walls also showed signs of significant healing. The researchers concluded, “Findings indicate that the ethanolic extract of P. emblica fruits has gastroprotective effects in humans that justify its traditional use.”

This article appears in the March 2018 issue of Natural Awakenings.