Susun Weeds Wise Woman Forum

A friend of mine underwent RNY Gastric Bypass surgery at the young age of 14. She has since suffered from chronic malabsorption and depression, anxiety, infertility, and insomnia. She was given prescription doses of Vitamins D, B, and Iron due to such low levels and a cocktail of anti-depressants but she now wants to wean off the medications. What herbs and foods could help her to absorb nutrients? Is it possible for her to absorb vitamins and minerals since now her digestive system virtually excludes the duodenum, where absorption normally occurs. Any insight into increasing absorption of vitamins and minerals would be greatly appreciated! Thank you. Green blessings!

I think dandelion could be helpful as a general tonic to aid digestion: according to this article, "By stimulating the release of gastric juices it aids the digestive capacity." According to Susun Weed any preparation of the fresh plant can have this effect.

I also think yogurt would be useful--gut flora is so important for good digestion

I would also think nourishing herbal infusions would be a really good thing to try--herbs like nettle, red clover, oat straw, etc. They're all high in many vitamins and minerals and easy on the body. Here's a great article on the subject: http://nourishingherbalinfusions.com/

Making vinegars with mineral rich herbs and adding them to salads and such can really help: here's an article on the benefits of herbal vinegars. Be sure to go on to part two (link at the bottom of the page) for details about which herbs to put in the vinegars:

http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Herbal_Vinegar.htm

And here's another article on ditching the supplements and using herbs / food for vitamins and minerals:
http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/M ... ngwise.htm

Good luck to your friend! Let us know how she does!

Great response Greenwitch!

DaphnaSimone....Tradition Chinese Medicine (and perhaps the Ayurvedic healing tradition as well) teaches that even though an organ may be missing or no longer active, its 'Spirit' is still there, so it is thought that the Spirit can then be nourished to assist the body to compensate.