The right support group can not only help you cope with Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS, it can also provide you with plenty of information about the condition, as well as open your mind to alternative treatments you may not have considered.
For instance, many IBS sufferers find that herbal remedies help them manage their symptoms.
The roots, stems, leaves, flowers and berries of plants have been used for centuries for medicinal purposes in order to treat, relieve and prevent a number of illnesses. Of course, different herbs are used to treat different ailments.
As far as herbal remedies for IBS are concerned, the following are the herbs most effective in alleviating symptoms:
Peppermint
Peppermint is an effective Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) treatment because mint calms the smooth muscles of the stomach and intestines while it increases gastric juice production. Mint also can act as an effective pain killer as it helps to block pain signals to the brain and numbs the digestive tract. In addition, mint is anti-bacterial and helps relieve indigestion, gastrointestinal cramps, gas, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Peppermint can be taken in the form of tea. Peppermint is also available in enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules.
Peppermint should be taken before meals to prevent symptoms.
Fennel
Fennel is highly effective at relieving and preventing bloating, gas, indigestion and stomach-aches. Fennel encourages gastric juice production and has anti-spasmodic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and antibacterial properties.
Fennel’s light green-brown seeds and can be taken in the form of tea. You can also chew fennel seeds. Fennel can be taken daily, and making it a part of you daily diet will help prevent gas and bloating from occurring.
Ginger
Ginger relieves many gastrointestinal problems including indigestion and severe cramps and nausea. It aids in digestion, improves intestinal muscle quality, and has some anti-inflammatory properties.
Ginger is available in fresh and dried gingerroot, both of which are highly effective for treating IBS symptoms.
Ginger is usually taken in the form of tea.
Chamomile
Chamomile is effective at alleviating gastrointestinal spasms and tension. It can also be useful at relieving indigestion and gas. Chamomile is also known for its sedative properties and has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-peptic properties.
Chamomile is a flower and it is usually taken in the form of tea. Chamomile is best taken at night before bed due to its natural sedative properties.
Note: Chamomile is a type of daisy, therefore, if you are allergic to daisies (ragweed included) you shouldn’t use chamomile.
Caraway
Caraway is anti-microbal and has anti-spasmodic effects. It encourages gastric juice production, soothes the muscles in the digestive tract and helps relieve gas.
Caraway is a dried seed and is usually taken in the form of tea, but may also be chewed whole.
Anise
Anise is anti-spasmodic and an anti-fungal that helps to settle the stomach. It aids and regulates digestion which helps relieve and prevent chronic diarrhea and constipation. It also helps to stimulate the production of gastric juices, and relieves nausea, gas, bloating, and cramps.
Anise comes in the form of small black seeds. It is often taken in the form of tea, but the seeds can be chewed.
Oregano
Oregano is an anti-spasmodic that stimulates gastric juice production and reduces and alleviates bloating, gas, stomach cramps and diarrhea. It is also an effective muscle relaxant.
Oregano plant leaves are either fresh or dried and brewed in a tea. Oregano is also available in enteric coated oregano oil capsules.
All of the above herbs mentioned are considered safe and can be taken daily without the risk of short-term or long-term side effects.
That being said, you should talk to an herb specialist about the herbs you are interested in before taking them, as well as your heath care provider.
Most herbs can be found at food and holistic stores.
About The Author: By Susan Reynolds. Sign up for a free newsletter about managing IBS naturally at http://www.natural-irritable-bowel-syndrome-relief.com.
Technorati Tags: IBS, herbal remedies for IBS, gastrointestinal problems
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Ginger has really helped me to an extent in treating my irritable bowel syndrome.
On a nicer note, you can find tons of information on irritable bowel syndrome at http://www.imodium.co.uk
Right, ginger is good remedy for digestive and bowel disorders. Dandelion can also be used to treat IBS. Nonetheless, there are standardized herbal remedies formulated to naturally relieve related disorders such as constipation. – gary
i have been taking librax for IBS.
my symptoms are frequent diarrhea.
have your supplements been reviewed by the AMA or FDA?
please advise
For Doug: Are herbal remedies for IBS approved by the FDA? Good question. I didn’t write the article, yet I hope the following addresses your concerns…
Proving the safety and effectiveness of medications/treatments are the burden of the companies selling them, not the government/FDA. Each of the above-mentioned herbal remedies can be found in your kitchen cabinet (if not, then your local grocery store
therefore pharmaceutical companies can’t buy patents for them and will not profit by doing expensive testing on them.
If extensive testing were done, then the FDA could allow it to be stated matter-of-factly “this treats that” or “this relieves that.” That’s why dietary supplements often have disclaimers on their packaging stating something to the effect of: “These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.” etc.. in fine print.
Otherwise, the FDA does very little to regulate natural/herbal supplements. Its ultimate concern with dietary supplements is safety not effectiveness. All of the above herbs are “generally recognized as safe.”
The AMA does not actually regulate drugs, and I’m not aware if it has endorsed any of these natural remedies for IBS. Here’s a couple articles from the AMA website regarding IBS– just copy and paste the URLs into your browser. You may find them useful.
Fiber, peppermint oil, and antispasmodics can be equally effective in alleviating IBS symptoms:
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/01/05/hlse0106.htm
Fructose and fat may aggravate IBS symptoms:
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2003/12/01/hlsd1201.htm
AMA Mission Statement:
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/about-ama/our-people/ama-councils/council-science-public-health/about-council/mission-statement.shtml
Lastly, Please note: Librax not only contains an anticholinergic (clidinium bromide) which helps ease spasms/cramping, but also contains an anti-anxiety med called (chlordiazepoxide HCl— aka Librium) making this a potent combination — Consult with your physician before switching medications or trying new therapies (whether natural or not).
Hope this helps.