Stomachic
Stomachic is a historic term for a medicine that serves to tone the stomach, improving its function and increase appetite. While many herbal remedies claim stomachic effects, modern pharmacology does not have an equivalent term for this type of action.
Herbs with putative stomachic effects include:
- Agrimony
- Aloe
- Anise
- Avens
- Barberry
- Bitterwood
- Cannabis
- Cayenne
- Centaurium
- Cleome
- Colombo
- Dandelion
- Elecampane
- Ginseng
- Goldenseal
- Grewia asiatica
- Hops
- Holy thistle
- Juniper berry
- Mint
- Mugwort
- Oregano
- Peach bark
- Rhubarb
- White mustard seeds
- Rose hips
- Rue
- Sweet flag
- Wormwood
- Bitters: used to stimulate the taste buds, thus producing reflex secretion of gastric juices. Quassia, Aristolochia, gentian, and chirata are commonly used.
- Alcohol: increases gastric secretion by direct action and also by the reflex stimulation of taste buds.
- Miscellaneous compounds: including insulin which increases the gastric secretion by producing hypoglycemia, and histamine, which produces direct stimulation of gastric glands.