According to David Hoffmann in his book Healthy Digestion [Storey Books, 2000] “Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder characterized by crampy pain, gassiness, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. It might manifest as constipation or diarrhea or swing between both and can result in headaches and anxiety.”
Herbal Remedies for the IBS Patient
Peppermint – enteric coated peppermint oil capsules may help reduce the symptoms of gas, crampy pain and bloating associated with IBS. The enteric coating allows the capsule to pass undigested through the stomach and reach the intestines. If the capsule were to digest in the stomach side effects such as heartburn would likely occur.
Fennel and dill – these two herbs have been used for years to help treat colicky babies. Fennel and dill seeds can be brewed into a calming tea which helps to reduce the symptoms associated with gas and bloating.
Ginger – this spice can be used as a digestive regulating herb. It helps to alleviate the symptoms associated with nausea, morning sickness, motion sickness and indigestion. Ginger may cause heartburn in certain susceptible individuals.
Cinnamon – this spice can be used to help prevent diarrhea. It can be sprinkled on top of food, such as oatmeal and buttered toast. As an added benefit, cinnamon is also reputed to help lower cholesterol levels and help keep blood sugar levels stable.
The irritable bowel syndrome patient may want to research non-culinary herbs including bayberry, mugwort, valerian, meadowsweet, slippery elm and wild yam.
Foods to Avoid
Certain foods may trigger an attack of IBS. Anyone living with this disorder may find it helpful to keep a journal of when they have an IBS attack. The journal can be used to help pinpoint certain factors, such as what foods had been eaten during the day, which may have contributed to the attack. IBS sufferers should avoid the following foods, or at least indulge in them in moderation, as they may trigger an attack of the disorder:
Dairy products – many IBS patients are lactose intolerant. Soy milk, almond milk and rice milk are available in plain, vanilla and chocolate flavors and make wonderful, non-dairy milk substitutes.
Fiber – extreme amounts of fiber, such as bran or beans, may trigger an attack. Most IBS patients can tolerate flax seed. Ground flax seed can be sprinkled on top of foods.
Caffeine – products that contain caffeine such as coffee, tea and cola may trigger an attack.
Greasy/fatty foods – excessive amounts of fat in the diet should be avoided by the IBS patient.
Hidden products – fructose, sorbitol and mannitol may affect certain people. These are hidden ingredients in many foods including baked goods, sugar-free chewing gum and even fresh fruit.
Other foods – some IBS patients also have problems with foods in the nightshade family including tomatoes, chili peppers and eggplant. Potatoes, although a member of the nightshade family, seem to be well tolerated by IBS patients.
Women who have IBS may find that their IBS flares up every month a few days before they get their period. A women’s fluctuating hormone levels may lead to an increase in IBS attacks.
Not All Dairy is Bad
Although many IBS sufferers are lactose intolerant, many patients find they can tolerate yogurt with no problem. Yogurt contains live bacteria cultures which help to break down the lactose found in dairy products. In his book The Self-Help Way to Treat Colitis and Other IBS Conditions [Keats Publishing, 2001] author De Lamar Gibbons, M.D. mentions that “The lactobacilli involved in the making of yogurt and cottage cheese produce lactase and other enzymes. They make these enzymes so they can break down lactose and other substrates for their own metabolism.” Plain yogurt makes a terrific sour cream substitute for baked potatoes, while lightly sweetened vanilla yogurt can be mixed with a bit of fresh fruit for a nice breakfast treat.
Additional Information
For additional information on spices that can be used for medicinal purposes, see the article Healthy Cooking Spices; Nutritional Benefits of Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg and More.
Information for this article compiled from:
- Healthy Digestion by David Hoffman (Storey Books, 2000)
- The Self-Help Way to Treat Colitis and Other IBS Conditions by De Lamar Gibbons, M.D. (Keats Publishing, 2001)
- The author’s 8+ year personal history dealing with IBS.
