Are there any natural medicines or treatments for IBS?

[Chandrika8]

I have been taking probiotics & enzymes, but is there anything else that anyone can recommend?

[Meleber]

Can only speak for myself. I have functional bowel problems with build up of gas in my small bowel leading to recurrent constipation in my lower right abdomen. This year also diagnosed with dysautonomia and orthostatic hypotension. Waiting for the result of a DNA test because in my case I could have atypical/non classic cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that also has impact on the gastrointestinal tract. I don't have problems with my respiratory tract.

What's helping me for the moment is a combination of garlic/berberine/ 'true' cinnamon to alleviate the dysbiosis. Besides I take butyrate and propionate, short chain fatty acids (SCFA), also helping the microbiome in the intestines. Rhodiola rosea for the nervous systems. I need to take bisacodyl (5mg) multiple times during the day to keep the flow in my intestines, to prevent constipaton/partial obstruction. For fat digestion I take pancreatic enzymes. And because of the malabsorption I do take multivitamins. Eating smaller meals more often during the day is also helpful. I don't have IBS officially but my symptoms are somewhat the same.

[Chandrika8 in reply to Meleber]

Hi Meleber! Thanks so much for all your great suggestions! I will try to find out where I can source those medicines 👌😋😃

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Meleber]

In what form do you take the cinnamon, and how much please?

[Meleber in reply to Nothing_but_books]

I take one capsule of 500 mg cinnamomum verum extract twice daily besides berberine and garlic.

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Meleber]

Thanks!

[Hidden]

Ginger tea is amazing for sorting out discomfort in the tummy etc.

Exercise helps a lot.

Try going without lactose, it can maybe make a difference.

Good luck.

[Chandrika8 in reply to Hidden]

Hi there! Yes ginger is amazing! I try to include it in my cooking as much as possible but I should make ginger tea also 👌 I’m mostly vegan so avoid dairy as much as I can. I mostly do walking but other exercise is important. Thanks so much!

[Hidden in reply to Chandrika8]

Ginger tea first thing in the morning is good.

I hope you can feel better, take care.

[Chandrika8 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for that suggestion. I’ll certainly try that. Take care

[Luisa22]

I have been going to a practitioner since the end of 2020, for homeopathy treatment. I am definitely improved from what it was like in 2020. I am not 'cured' of it but a lot better. I sometimes get periods of almost complete normality. But like I said it hasn't completely got rid of IBS. Really terrible D flare ups are rarer than they were. It has been a very gradual improvement.

I am given different remedies each month. Occasionally I am given the same remedies.

Some people don't believe in homeopathy but I was willing to try it and see.

[Chandrika8 in reply to Luisa22]

Hi Luisa! Thanks for your suggestion. Yes homeopathy can be miraculous if you find the right homeopathic doctor and get the right medicine. I’m so happy that you have found a good doctor and the medicine is working for you gradually 😋 I can certainly look into that. Thank you!

[Luisa22 in reply to Chandrika8]

Yes, but it has been a slow process with many ups and downs. I sensed it was helping so continued. I am definitely better in my gut and in myself generally since starting the homeopathy treatments. But as I said, it hasn't 'cured me' 100%. But I do get long periods of remission. My homeopath is a lovely lady and very bright-minded.

[Chandrika8 in reply to Luisa22]

At least you are healing even if it is slow. Homeopathy generally does take time. Anyway glad it is working for you. I’ll definitely look into finding a homeopath and seeing if he/she can find the right medicine for me. Thanks for sharing 😋

[Hidden]

I use turmeric (anti inflammatory) and ginger and cinnamon as others have mentioned and tiny amounts of asteofida in some cooking which I believe helps with stress and wind. I drink peppermint tea and three ginger tea. Use other herbs and spices too in cooking like oregano, parsley, thyme, winter savoury, sage and coriander, fresh as much as possible (I am able to grow these). I also take digestive enzymes and probiotic’s. Use aromatherapy oils in my baths and go for massage once a month. Practise yoga/ qi gong and walk regularly. I’ve used kefir in past (both milk and water).

[Chandrika8 in reply to Hidden]

Hi! Yes turmeric is a very good anti inflammatory - and the other herbs and spices that you mentioned I will try to incorporate more. I’ve used Kefir in the past and also kombucha - but maybe kefir is better than kombucha for IBS. Thanks for all those suggestions!

[vefa]

I have been trying the Nerva Hypnotherapy app for the past week. I have been amazed at the difference. They do a seven day trial which is free. I was very sceptical but desperate for some relief. So far so good ...

[Chandrika8 in reply to vefa]

Thanks for the suggestion. I never even thought of hypnotherapy and never heard of that one - ‘Nerva’. Can you please send a link so I can check it out. Thank you.

[vefa in reply to Chandrika8]

If you type Nerva into Google you will get all the info. Professor Peter Whorwell from Manchester Royal Infirmary recommends using hypnotherapy for IBS, I have read his book about it and it explains the connection between the gut and the brain. Hope it helps.

[Chandrika8 in reply to vefa]

Okay thanks! I’ll certainly do that 😋

[PinkPenguin96 in reply to Chandrika8]

I'll add my positive experience with the Nerva app too. I went through the whole program, think it is 8 weeks, and I would say it's helped me more than anything else. The IBS is not gone, but it interferes with my life a lot less and I think about it a lot less.

[Chandrika8 in reply to PinkPenguin96]

Hi! That’s so good to hear that you have had such success! I’ll certainly check that out today. Thank you so much!

[xjrs]

It depends on what type of IBS you have e.g. IBS-D or IBS-C and what other types of symptoms that you have such as pain. I have experienced both over the years and now suffer from IBS-C. The thing that has helped me the most and made me more tolerant to foods and in less pain, is Alflorex probiotic which has been scientifically studied for IBS.

[Chandrika8 in reply to xjrs]

Hi! How can I tell which type I have? I guess I could google the symptoms. I will definitely try that probiotic as it is specifically designed for IBS. Thank you for the suggestion.

[xjrs in reply to Chandrika8]

IBS-D is diarrhoea dominant. IBS-C is constipation dominant. There is also IBS-M which is a mixture of both.

[Chandrika8 in reply to xjrs]

Okay then I guess I have IBS-M as I have a mixture of both. Thanks for the explanation.

[Hidden]

I have found Slippery Elm Capsules helpful for lubricating my digestive system. But then I do have IBS-C. Not sure if these would help with IBS-D!

[Chandrika8 in reply to Hidden]

Okay it’s worth a try I guess - I’m more prone to constipation anyway. Thank you!