We think it is always best to turn to herbal remedies to get relief from our stomach issues but a new study warns us against doing so. According to the lead study author Dr. Dennis Anheyer of the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany, the biggest problem with herbal medicines is that there are not many licensed or standardized products that are available. 

Researchers studies data from 14 previous studies that involved 1,927 children suffering from tummy problems like diarrhea, dehydration, constipation, abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome. But they couldn’t find any conclusive result by combining these small studies. But a lot of studies did show that some herbal remedies do provide relief in  case of certain gastrointestinal issues. For instance, four studies including 424 participants showed that remedies carob bean juice, and an herbal compound  with chamomile may help with diarrhea. 

Another study with 120 participants indicates that peppermint oil can help curb chronic abdominal pain but it did not offer clear explanation for the same. The team of researchers believe that while it is possible that certain herbal medicines can prove to be helpful, parents should still consult a doctor before trying them out. Herbs might be safe but when combined with other compound they may have certain side effects and it is best to be cautious.