Abdominal bloating
The Holistic Perspective
on Abdominal bloating
Abdominal bloating is more than just a post-meal discomfort, it reflects underlying terrain imbalances in moisture, pace/energy, and tone. While it may feel like fullness, pressure, or swelling, the root causes differ depending on whether the body is struggling with microbial overgrowth, sluggish motility, or weakened barrier function. Beyond the surface, bloating often has deeper affinities with the digestive system (stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder), the endocrine system (thyroid and adrenal rhythm), and the nervous system (stress response and gut motility). Everyday triggers, from diet to stress, can worsen the problem, but they act on top of these deeper terrain patterns.
Rudimentary Root Causes and Common Triggers
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👉These are terrain-level imbalances that set the foundation for the symptom and why the imbalance exists. They create a body environment where this particular ailment is likely to appear and thrive.
Moisture Terrain
Underlying Patterns: Mucous/boggy terrain → thickened intestinal lining that slows transit and Congestive pressure → lymphatic stagnation leading to abdominal swelling.
Gut dysbiosis (imbalanced flora, candida overgrowth, SIBO).
Toxic congestion from microbial metabolites and poorly digested food.
Sluggish liver/gallbladder function → poor bile flow and fat digestion.
Pancreatic insufficiency → reduced enzyme output.
Food intolerances (gluten, lactose, FODMAPs) causing fermentation and mucous buildup.
Herbal causes: Excess mucilaginous herbs (slippery elm, marshmallow, aloe gel) without circulation → stagnation + fermentation. While mucilaginous herbs are the most common direct trigger, laxative, fermented, bitter, and prebiotic-rich herbs can also drive bloating when the terrain isn’t matched well.
7. Drug Induced causes: Antibiotics → disrupt gut flora, promote dysbiosis, Opioids → slow gut motility, cause fermentation, Anticholinergics → reduce peristalsis, lead to stagnation, GLP-1 agonists (Ozempic, Wegovy) → delay gastric emptying, NSAIDs → irritate mucosa, promote inflammation, Iron supplements → constipating, increase gas, Calcium carbonate antacids → create excess gas, Chemotherapy drugs → damage gut lining, disrupt digestion.
Pace / Energy Terrain
Hypothyroidism → slowed gastric emptying and peristalsis.
Hypometabolism → sluggish cellular energy, weak motility.
Chronic stress / HPA dysregulation → fight-or-flight suppression of digestion.
Excitation / irritative patterns → overstimulation leading to spasm and erratic motility.
Drug-induced:
Opioids → suppress motility.
Anticholinergics → reduce peristalsis.
GLP-1 agonists (Ozempic, Wegovy) → delay gastric emptying.
SSRIs or anxiolytics → slow gut transit in some individuals.
Herbal causes: Overuse of stimulant laxatives (senna, cascara) → rebound sluggishness and dysbiosis.
Tone Terrain
Leaky gut / barrier dysfunction → immune activation + bloating.
Connective tissue weakness (collagen depletion, prolapse, atony).
Mineral deficiencies (zinc, magnesium, sulfur, silica) weakening barrier tone.
Spasmodic terrain → excessive contractions trapping gas.
Dysregulated tone → erratic alternation between tension and slack digestion.
Drug-induced: Long-term corticosteroid use → weakens tissue tone.
Herbal causes: Bitter overstimulation in sensitive constitutions → cramping and spasms.
Environmental / Lifestyle Rudimentary Root Causes
Circadian disruption (night shifts, irregular meals) → impaired gut motility.
Sedentary lifestyle → reduced peristalsis and lymph flow.
Chronic overeating → weakens digestive fire, slows emptying.
Rapid eating / poor chewing → air swallowing and undigested food bulk.
Alcohol overuse → irritates mucosa, disrupts gut flora, burdens liver.
Smoking → reduces digestive tone and oxygenation.
Low-fiber diet → sluggish elimination, increased fermentation.
Excess fiber or powders (inulin, psyllium, prebiotics) in weak digestion → fermentation and gas.
High seed oil intake → slows bile, contributes to mucous terrain.
Artificial sweeteners (sorbitol, xylitol) → poorly absorbed, ferment rapidly.
Environmental exposures: Chronic chlorine or fluoride ingestion → gut microbiome disruption.
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👉Triggers are external or situational sparks that worsen or bring forward the symptom, but they do not create the terrain imbalance on their own.
Overeating or eating too quickly.
Over-usage - Carbonated beverages.
Post-viral or post-infectious states → weakened gut motility.
Hormonal shifts (menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause).
Temperature extremes (cold drinks or cold raw foods in weak digestion).
Gum chewing or straw drinking (air swallowing).
High-FODMAP foods (beans, onions, garlic, crucifers).
Dairy in lactose intolerance.
Gluten in sensitive individuals.
Fried or greasy meals.
Alcohol (especially beer and wine).
Spicy or irritant foods in sensitive guts.
Artificial sweeteners (sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol).
Excess raw foods in weak digestion.
Eating under stress or in rushed environments.
Medications
Antibiotics → microbiome disruption.
NSAIDs → mucosal irritation.
Iron supplements → slow motility + constipation.
Calcium carbonate antacids → gas and rebound acidity.
Mismatched Herbs
Excess mucilaginous herbs (slippery elm, marshmallow, aloe, flaxseed) → stagnation + fermentation.
Stimulant laxatives (senna, cascara, rhubarb root) → rebound sluggishness, dysbiosis.
Fermented herbs/preparations (kombucha, vinegar tinctures) → gas in cold/damp terrains.
Overuse of bitters in hot/tense constitutions → spasms and cramping.
Prebiotic-rich herbs (chicory, burdock, dandelion root) → excess fermentation in dysbiosis.
Other Situational Triggers
Long gaps between meals → fermentation of residual food.
Late-night eating → digestion slows, food ferments overnight.
Travel or routine disruption → circadian misalignment of gut motility.
Dehydration → slows transit, promotes constipation and bloating.
Sedentary periods (long sitting, lack of movement) → reduced peristalsis and lymphatic flow.
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Digestive System: Stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder.
Endocrine System: Thyroid and adrenal rhythm.
Nervous System: Stress regulation of digestion.
Lymphatic System: Fluid clearance and abdominal tone.
Types of Abdominal Bloating
Abdominal bloating is not just “bloating.” It shows up in different terrain-driven expressions, each with its own character. Recognizing the subtype helps you see which root causes are most active. Bloating isn’t a one-size category. Each subtype ties back to a different terrain pattern, whether it’s microbial fermentation, hormonal rhythm, stress-driven motility changes, inflammation, or fluid retention. This also means the underlying solutions differ: what helps “digestive bloating” (enzyme and gut flora support) won’t be enough for “hormonal bloating” (where endocrine and fluid balance need to be addressed).
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Caused by gut flora imbalances or poor digestion leading to food fermenting instead of breaking down. Common with high-FODMAP foods, dysbiosis, or enzyme deficiencies.
Subpatterns: Moisture – mucous/boggy, toxic congestion. Pace/Energy – hypofunction.
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Driven by shifts in estrogen and progesterone, often around the menstrual cycle or in cases of hormonal imbalance. Can involve fluid retention and slowed motility. Terrain link:
Subpatterns: Pace/Energy – hyporesponsive, hypometabolic. Moisture – congestive pressure.
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The nervous system stays in fight-or-flight mode, shutting down digestion and slowing motility. Food sits in the gut longer, creating pressure and discomfort.
Subpatterns: Pace/Energy – excitation, irritative. Tone – tension, spasmodic, dysregulated.
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Triggered by immune reactions to foods (gluten, dairy, additives) or chronic gut inflammation. Often paired with pain, cramping, or alternating bowel changes.
Subpatterns: Pace/Energy – inflammatory, auto-inflammatory. Tone – leaky, tension.
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Caused by lymphatic sluggishness, kidney imbalance, or electrolyte depletion. Instead of gas, it’s water-based swelling that makes the abdomen feel heavy or puffy.
Subpatterns: Moisture – congestive pressure, mucous/boggy. Tone – dilution, prolapse.
Abdominal bloating is a reflection of your inner terrain, not just a post-meal discomfort. While root causes create the environment for it to develop, triggers like diet, stress, or medications often make it worse.
It’s important to know when professional medical care is needed: if your bloating is severe, sudden, or accompanied by persistent pain, unexplained weight loss, or blood in the stool, it’s best to consult a doctor. They can rule out underlying conditions and provide immediate medical support if necessary.
For ongoing, non-emergency concerns, like daily bloating, food reactivity, or gut sluggishness, that’s where I come in. I’ll help you uncover the terrain-level root causes and guide you toward foods, herbs, and practices that restore balance from within. If you want terrain-specific solutions tailored to your body, book a consultation with me today.
