Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a disorder in the colon, or large intestine, that causes painful spasms, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. IBS is not an inflammatory condition like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, even though it shares some symptoms with them. Doctors do not know what causes IBS, so conventional treatment tries to alleviate the symptoms with anti-diarrheal, antispasmodic, antidepressant and antibiotic medications. Many herbs act on the gastrointestinal system and may relieve the symptoms of IBS. It is important to consult a health care specialist before starting herbal treatment.
Climbing-Staff Plant
Climbing-staff plant, or Celastrus paniculatus, is a woody climber native to India. Also known as malkangni, the bitter seeds are used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine to treat intestinal spasms and abdominal complaints. The seeds contain the alkaloids celapanin, celapanigin and celapagin and have sedative, antidepressant and smooth muscle relaxant actions. A study published in the April 2009 issue of the “Journal of Ethnopharmacology” tested an extract of the seeds on animal and human tissue. The study found that the extract inhibited gastrointestinal spasms by acting directly on the muscle tissue, rather than through the nervous system. This effect was possibly due to the plant’s ability to reduce intracellular calcium levels, which would have a relaxant effect on intestinal smooth muscle. Further studies on human subjects are needed to determine if the extract would have the same effect and what the safe dosage would be. (Reference 1)
Peppermint
Peppermint, or Mentha piperita, is an aromatic herb used in cooking and medicine. The plant contains potent volatile oils like menthol and menthone, and because of their anti-spasmodic action, peppermint is used worldwide to treat a range of digestive problems. A study published in the August 2005 issue of “Phytomedicine” reviewed 16 clinical trials testing enteric-coated peppermint oil, and found that it is a safe, effective and economical treatment for IBS due to its antispasmodic and antigas actions. Another study, published in the June 2007 issue of “Digestive and Liver Disease” tested enteric-coated peppermint oil on 57 patients with IBS and found that, after four weeks, 75 percent of the patients treated with the oil showed greater than 50 percent reduction in symptoms compared to 38 percent in the placebo group. Further studies may confirm these findings and validate the traditional uses of peppermint for gastrointestinal discomfort. (References 2 & 3)
Skullcap and Valerian
Shullcap, or Scutellaria lateriflora, and valerian, or Valeriana officinalis, are nervous system tonics and antispasmodics. Folk healers used skullcap to treat convulsions, muscle spasms, headache, nerve pain and spasmodic cough; and valerian as a sedative for insomnia and epileptic convulsions. Contemporary herbalists use these plants primarily for nervous conditions like anxiety and insomnia. The iridoid alkaloids in valerian, known as valpotriates, have antispasmodic action, and the flavonoids baicalin and baicalein in skullcap bind to the benzodiazepine site of the GABA-A receptor, producing the muscle-relaxant effects. In their 2000 book, “Prescription for Nutritional Healing,” Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, and James F. Balch, M.D. recommend skullcap and valerian root to calm the nerves the control intestinal smooth muscle movement.
References
- “Journal of Ethnopharmacology”; Potent relaxant effect of a Celastrus paniculatus extract in the rat and human ileum; Borrelli F, Borbone N, Capasso R, Montesano D, De Marino S, Aviello G, Aprea G, Masone S, Izzo AA; April 2009
- “Phytomedicine”; Peppermint oil in irritable bowel syndrome; Grigoleit HG, Grigoleit P; August 2005
- “Digestive and Liver Disease”; Peppermint oil (Mintoil) in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a prospective double blind placebo-controlled randomized trial; Cappello G, Spezzaferro M, Grossi L, Manzoli L, Marzio L; June 2007
