When your stomach burns and your intestines churn, it's not always easy to figure out why. Although digestion remedies abound in the supplement aisle, Dr. David Rakel, director of the Integrative Medicine Program at the University of Wisconsin's School of Medicine and Public Health, advocates a cautious approach. Taking digestive enzymes, for instance, "may suppress your body's own enzyme function," he says. For certain diagnosed conditions, though, there's evidence that natural remedies can help. Here's what our experts recommend.

Licorice Root
Although an occasional bout of heartburn is usually nothing to worry about, regular episodes may be more serious, as digestive juices can damage the inner lining of the esophagus. Some research suggests that deglycyrrhizinated licorice root, or DGL, is effective at healing and protecting against
heartburn-related damage.
Dosage: Three chewable 380 mg tablets before meals.

Probiotics
Although antibiotics can knock out a case of strep throat or prevent postsurgical infections, they often come with side effects such as gas, diarrhea, and stomach cramping. That's because antibiotics upset the delicate balance of bacteria in the gut by killing off the microbes indiscriminately. Probiotic supplements allow the "good" bacteria to recolonize, reducing unpleasant side effects. Two well-studied species -- Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium -- appear widely in probiotic supplements. The micro-organisms are sensitive to heat and light, so store probiotics in a refrigerator.
Dosage: Probiotics are available in many forms, and dosages vary. Follow package instructions.

Peppermint
Up to one in five Americans have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition characterized by diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and painful stomach cramping. Enteric-coated peppermint can help relieve pain, calm stomach muscles, and improve the flow of bile. (The coating keeps the oil from being released in the stomach, which can lead to heartburn and indigestion.) In a 2007 study of 57 patients with IBS, a majority of those who used peppermint oil for four weeks had a more than 50 percent reduction in the intensity and frequency of symptoms. (Don't take peppermint if you have heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease, because the herb may relax the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus, which keeps food down.)
Dosage: One or two enteric-coated capsules three times a day between meals.