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Email a friendHerb May Ease Irritable Bowel
Newspaper Columns, Herb & Home Remedy Q&A April 24, 2008
Q. I have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Is there a home remedy I can take to ease the discomfort? I currently use Nexium every day.
I drink a lot of water and try to stay regular, but I am always uncomfortable. I am at my wit’s end. HELP!
A. Research from Germany suggests you may want to try enteric-coated peppermint oil. The investigator reviewed 16 clinical trials of peppermint oil for treating the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Two-thirds of the placebo-controlled trials showed that peppermint oil worked twice as well as placebo in easing symptoms (Phytomedicine, Aug. 2, 2005). There were side effects: peppermint oil can cause heartburn and rectal burning. But overall it seemed the enteric-coated capsules improved quality of life for people with IBS. One brand-name product, Pepogest, can be bought online.
Tags: enteric-coated peppermint oil, IBS, irritable bowel syndrome
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Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio. In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
© 2008 King Features Syndicate, Inc.
Reader Comments
I, too, suffered from IBS for many years. I was told to take Metamucil or fiber supplement but resisted because it didn't make sense. I was afraid to leave my home! I finally as a last resort went ahead with the fiber treatment daily and have be virtually episode free for at least 4 years. At first until your body gets used to the fiber it may seem to make matters worse, but stick with it, this REALLY works!
Posted by: fran | April 25, 2008 3:17 PM
I have tried enteric coated peppermint oil for IBS, and feel that it helps, along with dicyclomine. My IBS is much less now that I am eating a gluten-free diet. Gluten intolerance and celiac disease just aren't considered by many doctors.
Posted by: JB | April 25, 2008 5:39 PM
use 2 TBS of flax seeds on a cereal in the morning and 2 TBS of it mixed with yogurt/soup--- works like a charm plus it helps with hot flashes.
Posted by: her | April 25, 2008 8:56 PM
I found that my digestive system needed protein and fiber. I have a bowl of Quinoa FLAKES (high in protein and fiber) hot breakfast cereal 5 mornings a week. I cut up some fruit, add honey and soy milk. My IBS symptoms are 99% diminished. No more cramping. Very little gas. Regularity has returned.
Posted by: Beverly | April 28, 2008 9:03 AM
I went on Juice Plus and got off of gluten for my IBS, and it is GONE!
Posted by: AM | May 2, 2008 9:48 AM