Table 6.

Summary of human trials on botanical combination ingredients and upper GI conditions.

Nutritional Ingredient	Reference	Population (n)	Characteristics	Study Design	Duration	Intervention	Control/Comparator	Outcome Measured	Results
Curcumin, aloe vera, slippery elm, guar gum, pectin, peppermint oil, and glutamine	Ried et al., 2020 [73]	n = 43	Mean age: 50; 76% of participants were female; adults with moderate upper and/or lower GI disturbances	Single-arm pre-post study	16 weeks (4-week run-in period and 12-week intervention period)	IG: 5 g, 1×/day formula mixed with water for 4 weeks, followed by 10 g/d for the second month and finally the patient’s preferred dose (0/5/10 g/d) for the third month (Curcumin, Aloe vera, slippery elm, guar gum, pectin, peppermint oil, and glutamine)	CG: 4-week run-in period	Upper and lower GI symptoms	There was a significant improvement of upper GI symptoms including indigestion, heartburn, regurgitation (acid reflux), and nausea (p < 0.001), overall decreased upper GI pain (p < 0.001) as well as improved quality of life (QoL) (p < 0.001) after 12 weeks.
ACV, Licorice, papain	Brown, et al., 2015 [44]	n = 24	Age ≥18; mean age: 34 ± 14; 17 females and 7 males; GERD patients	Double-blind, placebo controlled, crossover trial with 1-week washout between treatments; reflux causing meal: big hamburger, French fries, hot sauce, soda	Single day intervention	IG: 30 min chewing intervention gum following reflux causing meal (gum active ingredients: calcium carbonate (500 mg), licorice extract, papain, and apple cider vinegar)	CG: 30 min chewing placebo gum following reflux causing meal	GERD and heartburn	Adjusted mean heartburn score and mean acid reflux score were significantly decreased in IG as compared to CG (p = 0.034 and p = 0.013 respectively). There were no significant differences between groups for pain, nausea, and belching, although they trended towards greater improvement in the IG group.

ACV = apple cider vinegar.