From Traditional Digestive Herbal Remedies to Evidence-Based Phytotherapy: Gut–Organ Axes and Systemic Effects

Ethnopharmacology and phytotherapy research continues to unveil the wealth of traditional knowledge linking digestive herbal remedies to human health. Numerous cultures have long employed plant-based treatments to address gastrointestinal complaints, yet only recently has science begun to unravel the broader systemic impact these remedies may exert through gut-centered mechanisms. Persistent questions remain regarding how traditional digestive plants influence not only local gut health but also distant organs—such as the brain, liver, and immune system—via complex bi-directional signaling pathways now conceptualized as gut–organ axes. Recent research employing microbiome analysis, metabolomics, and advanced imaging has provided evidence that digestive herbs can modulate the intestinal microbiota, strengthen the gut barrier, and affect systemic function, but the translation of these findings to validated, standardized therapies remains incomplete.This Research Topic aims to bridge traditional digestive herbal practices with contemporary, evidence-based phytotherapy by advancing our understanding of gut–organ interactions and systemic effects. Our objective is to critically examine how plant remedies historically used for gastrointestinal comfort might influence whole-body health through defined molecular and microbial pathways, and to assess the quality of evidence supporting such effects. Importantly, direct empirical evidence and a plausible mechanism for such an axis needs to be provided. Independent effects on the GI-tract and another organ system need to be excluded. We encourage contributions that elucidate mechanisms, clarify standards for botanical authentication and quality control, and strengthen the translational pipeline—from ethnobotanical documentation to clinical validation—in the context of digestive herbal medicines.This Research Topic will encompass research focused on traditional herbal treatments for digestive health and their systemic implications via gut–organ axes. Studies must delineate a traditional use context, botanical identification, and/or bioactivity relevant to gut–organ interactions. We welcome submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:Ethnobotanical and historical insights into digestive herbal remedies and their patterns of useBotanical authentication, voucher specimens, plant sourcing, and standardization techniquesEffects of digestive plant-based remedies on gut microbiota, barrier function, and metabolite profilesMechanistic pathways underlying connections between gut interventions and distant organ systems (e.g., gut–liver, gut–brain, gut–immune axes)Clinical research (observational studies, clinical trials) evaluating systemic outcomes beyond digestive symptomsSafety, toxicity, and herb–drug interactions in systemic contextsEvidence synthesis, limitations, and perspectives for the integration of traditional digestive herbal therapies into modern medical practiceAppendix: We welcome Original Research articles, Reviews, Systematic Reviews, Clinical Trials, Methods, Brief Research Reports, Perspectives, and Policy and Practice Reviews aligned with these themes.Please note:All studies must adhere to the Four Pillars of Best Practice in Ethnopharmacology and the ConPhyMP statement (Front. Pharmacol., 13:953205). Manuscripts must include detailed descriptions of biological material, extraction methods, and processing procedures; submissions lacking these details will be desk-rejected. The full best-practice guidance is available at: https://ga-online.org/best-practice. Authors are encouraged to self-assess their manuscripts using the ConPhyMP tool before submission. Topic editors: Marilena Gilca, Adelina Vlad, Amina Ibrahim Dirar Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78660/from-traditional-digestive-herbal-remedies-to-evidence-based-phytotherapy-gut-organ-axes-and-systemic-effects