Natural Remedies & Herbs for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Some people with IBS may benefit from bulk-forming laxatives. Psyllium seeds (3.25 grams taken three times per day) have helped regulate normal bowel activity in some people with IBS. Psyllium has improved IBS symptoms in double-blind trials.

In the intestinal tract, peppermint oil reduces gas production, eases intestinal cramping, and soothes irritation. Peppermint oil has been reported to help relieve symptoms of IBS in two analyses of controlled trials. Evidence supporting the use of peppermint oil has come from double-blind trials that typically have used enteric-coated capsules that supply 0.2–0.4 ml of peppermint oil taken three times per day. Some trials have found peppermint oil ineffective. The reason for these conflicting findings remains unclear.

The combination of 90 mg of peppermint oil plus 50 mg of caraway oil in enteric-coated capsules taken three times per day led to significant reduction in IBS symptoms in a double-blind trial. In a similar trial, capsules that were not enteric-coated were as effective as enteric-coated capsules. The same combination has compared favorably to the drug cisapride (Propulsid®) in reducing symptoms of IBS. The purpose of enteric coating is to protect peppermint oil while it is passing through the acid environment of the stomach.

Whole peppermint leaf is often used either alone or in combination with other herbs to treat abdominal discomfort and mild cramping that accompany IBS. The combination of peppermint, caraway seeds, fennel seeds, and wormwood was reported to be an effective treatment for upper abdominal complaints in a double-blind trial...