While treatment for irritable bowel syndrome, generally referred to as IBS, often includes prescription medication, an alternative treatment is the use of herbs. In general, the best way to use herbs is to make a strong tea out of their dried component. The combination of the hot tea and its herbal medicinal properties can help to relieve the symptoms of IBS. As reported by the Help for IBS website, herbal teas that are considered beneficial for IBS symptoms include peppermint, fennel, ginger, chamomile, caraway, anise, and oregano. According to the Help for IBS website, herbs are a considered a safe, effective way to treat IBS symptoms including pain, spasms, gas, and bloating. However, individuals should always consult their doctor prior to beginning a new type of treatment.
Peppermint
According to the Help for IBS website, the active ingredients in the peppermint plant, menthol and methyl salicylate help to reduce spasms and calm the gastrointestinal tract. Peppermint also acts as a pain killer, reducing pain associated with intestinal spasms. Although peppermint acts to relax the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, this can lead to heartburn or reflux in some individuals. If this is the case, another herbal tea is recommended. Dried, or fresh, peppermint can be brewed into a strong tea. According to a randomized trial published in the Journal of Gastroenterology by Yeh and colleagues (1997), taking peppermint oil capsules before meals resulted in a reduction in gas, abdominal pain, and bloating. Another study by Merat and colleagues published in the Digestive Diseases and Sciences (2010) found that taking peppermint oil capsules for two months showed similar symptom improvement over patients who received the placebo.
Fennel
According to the Help for IBS website, fennel contains three volatile oils -- anethole, fenchone, and estragole, which work to relieve spasms in the gastrointestinal tract as well as reduce bloating and gas. Anethole is thought to act similarly to dopamine, serving as an anti-inflammatory and relaxation agent in the intestines. Fennel is also useful in controlling bowel movements, by controlling small intestine contractions. It is suggested that fennel can be used regularly to prevent both gas and bloating, but also as an intervention when suffering from these symptoms. Fennel comes in the form of a seed, which can be crushed before brewing in hot water.
Ginger and Chamomile
The gingerroot is thought to aid in digestion by reducing nausea, indigestion, and cramping. It can also act to reduce inflammation and spasms in the gastrointestinal tract. Gingerroot can be grated or chopped and then brewed with hot water into a strong tea. A meta-analysis study by gastroenterologists Langmead and Rampton (2001) investigated the use of herbs in gastrointestinal disorders and reported that in some cases, ginger is more effective than placebo in reducing nausea and vomiting, which can be common symptoms of IBS. However, mixed results have been found on the effectiveness of ginger in reducing these symptoms. According to the Help for IBS website, the ingestion of chamomile works to reduce spasms and inflammation and has a mild sedation effect. It helps to calm the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract and relieve gas. Another study indicated that chamomile, in conjunction with other herbal preparations, acts on serotonin in the intestinal tract and can relieve the symptoms of IBS. As noted by the Help for IBS website, chamomile is a flower that can be brewed into tea; however, anyone who is allergic to flowers of the daisy family, which can include ragweed, should not consume it.
Caraway, Anise, and Oregano
As described by the Help for IBS website, three additional herbs that can be brewed into teas are caraway, anise, and oregano. Caraway works to relieve gas, calms the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, and reduces spasms. According to Life Extension, the combination of caraway with peppermint can provide especially beneficial relief in calming the muscles of the intestinal tract. As discussed by the Help for IBS website, anise is useful in relieving bloating, gas, intestinal cramps, and controlling digestion, which can be helpful for minimizing constipation and diarrhea. Caraway and anise are seeds that can be crushed and then brewed with hot water into a tea. Oregano contains oils, thymol and carvacol, which reduce spasms and relieve bloating and gas. It also helps to reduce inflammation and pain. The dried herb can be brewed into a tea, or concentrated oregano oil can be added to hot water.
References
- Herbs as Medicine for IBS
- Life Extension: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Review article: Herbal treatment in gastrointestinal and liver disease- benefits and dangers
- Pub Med: Binding of STW 5 (Iberogast) and its components to intestinal 5-HT, muscarinic M3, and opioid receptors
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC): Peppermint
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