Has anyone consulted a herbalist?: I live across... - IBS Network

IBS Network

47,232 members15,495 posts

Has anyone consulted a herbalist?

MarkBrennan profile image
12 Replies

I live across the road to a herbalist. I hadn't seen her for a while, but yesterday she asked how my 'stomach problems' are going. I told her they are no better and she said I should go over and see her and she will sort me out with some 'bits & pieces', including slippery elm.

I know she means well, but there seems to be no end of people ready to relieve us of our money, but with no tried & tested cure. If there was one, we would all know about it! :)

Should I give it a go, or am I just going to end up adding to my collection of useless pills & potions?

PS - I love that we can now edit posts :)

Written by
MarkBrennan profile image
MarkBrennan
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
12 Replies

Hi,

I've read a lot in recent weeks about Bile Acid Diarrhoea/Malabsorption (BAD) which is thought by some gastroenterologists to be one of the causes of IBS. The treatment is a powder called colestyramine which you mix into a gloopy drink to absorb bile acids and is very effective. Some herbalists recommend using slippery elm bark powder instead which, they say, has the same effect - capsules don't work in the same way apparently. Might be worth a go.

Pagan

MarkBrennan profile image
MarkBrennan in reply to

Thanks. At least if it doesn't work, isn't very expensive :) - I have a Holland & Barrett voucher to use up by 31/7 so will get some tomorrow. I know that some brands have other things added so will look out for that. - again, something I used to give to one of my cats for constipation. I remember that it smells pretty awful, but he didn't seem to mind :) - I also read that it is quite nutritious and an american army in the 1800s survived on just slippery elm for several weeks.

in reply to MarkBrennan

Do put a post up letting us know how this works for you.

MarkBrennan profile image
MarkBrennan

I will :)

I went to Holland & Barrett this morning. She showed me the capsules and I asked if they had the powder. She showed me a huge 454g box of Thompsons Slippery Elm food. I bought it thinking it looked great value compared to the capsules. When I got home I looked at the box and it contains 'cooked wheaten flour' and sugar. I'm sure there can't be a great deal of flour or sugar as a heaped teaspoon makes a mug full. It also gives instructions for making it into a gruel.

in reply to MarkBrennan

I'm not sure about this at all, but I just dug out an unopened box of slippery elm bark powder (the only ingredient) produced by G. Baldwin & Co which I bought a few months ago, but haven't yet got around to trying. Anyway, it cost £32.55 for 500gms, I don't know how that compares with your H&B price.

MarkBrennan profile image
MarkBrennan in reply to

It was about £5.50 :) - I would like to know the % of slippery elm in it. I made a milk drink with it earlier and it was quite lumpy.

I guess I should have bought some over the road. She sells pure SEB, although I doubt it is organic.

in reply to MarkBrennan

Well, you can give it a try anyway. As long as you're okay with wheat, hopefully it won't do you any harm and may even do some good.

MarkBrennan profile image
MarkBrennan

The only problem is, it is a bit like having a mug of Horlicks. My bedtime drink of choice is a couple of glasses of red! (I even cut that out for a while to see if if made a difference, but it doesn't so I can enjoy it without the guilt - ditto my morning coffee :) )

I guess the capsules can just be emptied out. I would rather just take it than have to drink or eat something gloopy.

I am curious about these - they have cinnamon, clove and peppermint added to help flatulence shipleyhealthstore.co.uk/po... (they are the ones I picked up by mistake years ago for my cat)

in reply to MarkBrennan

Apparently the dosage for treating IBS-D with slippery elm is: 1 rounded tsp of pure powdered bark which you mix with a little water to a paste, then slowly add half a pint or so of boiling water, stirring or whisking all the time, drink 2-3 cups daily preferably just before a meal.

Like you, I don't relish the idea of a thick drink which is probably why I've still got an unopened box of SE in the cupboard.

Sounds as if that's one very well-cared for cat!

PatV profile image
PatV in reply to

my daughter has cured her very painful diverticulitis with the help of the pure slippery elm gruel she has every night with a little honey. I haven't tried it yet for my iBS-C pain because i'm too lazy.

MarkBrennan profile image
MarkBrennan in reply to PatV

Hi Pat, Is it the Slippery Elm food she has? - My problem is that I'm not a fan of hot milky things. I find that since I have had 'IBS', I am often slightly nauseous and the thought of something 'horlicksy' make me feel sick.

I think I will have to try some of the pure bark.

My sister swears by organic coconut oil for her IBS-C. I tried it but I was literally gagging when trying to eat it - it was like trying to eat lard! :)

PatV profile image
PatV in reply to MarkBrennan

no it's the slippery elm bark powder. pure organic.

yes, the cold congealed coconut oil is like eating lard. but cooking in it makes the house smell nice.

You may also like...

Has anyone been diagnosed with IBS by a gastroenterologist at consultation?

symptoms down for him. He asked me lots of questions including the standard red flag symptoms,...

Has anyone tried water kefir?

Running on the old saying \\"better the devil I know, than the one I have no idea about\\". My...

Has anyone tried Nortriptyline or Amitriptyline?

Has anyone been treated for SIBO?

Has anyone experienced prolonged gas?

proceeded to keep me up most the night. I didn't know I needed to go to the loo or not. I went a...