Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a chronic disorder of the colon that causes abdominal cramps, bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation. Certain foods, stress or hormones may trigger irregular contractions in the muscles that line the intestinal wall. This pushes food through too fast or too slowly and thus causes IBS symptoms. Conventional treatment may include drugs to relieve spasms, relax intestinal muscles, and control diarrhea and constipation. However, they can have unpleasant side effects. Herbal remedies for IBS may relieve symptoms in a gentler way and with fewer side effects. Consult your health care professional before starting herbal therapy.
Oriental Bittersweet
Oriental bittersweet, or Celastrus paniculatus, is a woody climber found throughout India. It is known as jyotismati in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, and practitioners use the roots, seeds and seed oil to treat spastic bowel, rheumatism, anorexia, flatulence, digestive disorders, pain, skin disorders, fever, depression and pneumonia. Active ingredients include fatty acids, terpenoids, alkaloids and sterols, and the plant has potent nervine, anti-inflammatory, cognition-enhancing and anti-aging actions. A study by F. Borrelli and colleagues published in the April 2009 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" tested a whole seed extract on animal and human intestinal tissue. The research found that the extract relaxed the smooth muscles of the intestinal walls in both tissue samples. This research supports the use of jyotismati seed extracts for treating irritable bowel. Consult your doctor before taking this herb if you have heart or kidney problems or if you are pregnant.
Peppermint
Peppermint, or Mentha piperita, is an aromatic herb used in cooking and folk medicine throughout the world. Traditional healers use the fresh or dried leaves to treat digestive problems, IBS, gall bladder disorders and infections. The leaves contain essential oil composed of menthol, menthone, menthyl acetate and menthofuran, and its oil has antimicrobial, antispasmodic and carminative actions. Dr. Linda B. White and Steven Foster recommend using enteric-coated capsules internally or massaging painful abdominal areas with diluted essential oil. A study by H. G. Grigoleit and P. Grigoleit published in the 2005 issue of "Phytomedicine" confirms that enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules relax intestinal muscles and relieve pain, spasms and gas. Peppermint oil may cause mild heartburn, so do not use it if you have heartburn or esophageal reflux.
Valerian
Valerian, or Valeriana officinalis, is a leafy plant native to Europe and Asia that has small white or pink flowers Herbalists use the roots and rhizomes to treat nervous disorders, spastic colitis, gastrointestinal pain, insomnia, menopause and premenstrual syndrome. The active ingredients include essential oil and a group of alkaloids called valepotriates. Valerian affects gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. GABA regulates muscle tone, and the valepotriates in valerian bind to GABAa receptors to calm muscle spasms. Clinical herbalist David Hoffmann recommends valerian for its sedative and antispasmodic actions. Dr. James F. Balch and Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, recommend valerian root at bedtime or during a flare-up to relax the nerves that control intestinal muscles. Do not combine valerian with sedative or antidepressant drugs.
References
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology": Potent relaxant effect of a Celastrus paniculatus extract in the rat and human ileum.
- "The Herbal Drugstore"; Linda B. White, M.D., Steven Foster; 2000
- "Phytomedicine": Peppermint oil in irritable bowel syndrome.
- "Medicinal Plants of the World"; Ben-Erik van Wyk and Michael Wink; 2009
- "Medical Herbalism": The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine"; David Hoffmann; 2003
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing": Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, and James F. Balch, M.D.; 2000
