Holistic healing

10 Ways to Beat IBS

Sarah Stanbury looks at how to treat irritable bowel syndrome with help from the College of Naturopathic Medicine.

Sarah Stanbury looks at how to treat irritable bowel syndrome with help from the College of Naturopathic Medicine.
Irritable bowel syndrome (or IBS) can be a miserable condition, thought to be suffered by an estimated 10 to 20 per cent of people in western countries. The symptoms typically include abdominal pain and spasms, diarrhoea or constipation (or episodes of both), bloating and wind and accompanying headaches, backache, tiredness, muscle and joint pain.

Many factors have been identified as possible triggers and these commonly include diet, stress and emotions – which may be addressed in treatment. We spoke to the experts at the College of Naturopathic Medicine to find out how to tackle this condition the natural way.

1. Cut out the culprits

Reduce toxicity in the digestive system, growth of harmful bacteria and fungi, and inflammation of the gut (all of which have been related to symptoms of IBS) by cutting out all processed foods, alcohol, tobacco, high sugar and high fat foods. It’s also helpful to be tested for food allergies, which could be exacerbating symptoms. Try to eliminate one particular type of food from your daily diet for three to four weeks, then reintroduce it slowly and see if there are any reactions.

2. Feast on fibre

Fibre, especially water-rich fibre found in cooked vegetables, can be an especially valuable part of an IBS treatment diet. This is because it helps to sweep out the harmful bacteria clinging to the gut walls and feeds the beneficial bacteria, which assists in healing the gut and making helpful vitamins. In short, it’s healing for the digestive system.

Some vegetables contain other healing properties, in particular green vegetables containing chlorophyll and the brassicas (cabbage family), which contain glutamine. Glutamine, an amino acid which is important for the metabolism of protein, is also helpful in reducing gut permeability. One of the features of IBS is that the lining of the gut wall becomes more permeable, allowing toxins from the digestive system to enter the body, putting strain on the liver and immune system.

3. Seek out sea vegetables

Sea vegetables, especially seaweed, are rich in minerals, antioxidants and vitamins, which together can be valuable in treating IBS. Seaweed can, for example, help combat inflammation in the gut, assist with healing the gut wall, alkalise the body and combat acidity, as well as support the liver in detoxifying the body. It also has an antibiotic-like effect on harmful bacteria and encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria. Ideally 1 to 4g of sea vegetables (in capsule form) should be consumed daily.

4. Stock up on probiotics

Probiotics are an invaluable source when it comes to supporting a colony of healthy bacteria and normalising the gut. Lactobacillus may be especially useful in establishing good bacteria and Saccharomyces Boulardii, which is a yeast strain, is a well-regarded treatment for diarrhoea.

5. Act on acupuncture

In Traditional Chinese Medicine the symptoms of IBS are viewed as a disharmony between the digestive system (the spleen and stomach) and the liver. The liver stores blood and is responsible for the flow of qi (energy) around the body. Emotions and stress can disturb the flow of qi and cause stagnation, therefore bringing on IBS-like symptoms. Also, when the digestive system is weak liver qi may stagnate, thus causing symptoms. The answer is to use acupuncture to strengthen the digestive system and influence the smooth flow of liver qi.

6. Turn up the heat

According to Chinese medicine, the digestive system can sometimes be supported by avoiding cold and raw food, and instead opting for cooked foods with a slightly sweet taste, including plenty of orange, yellow and red root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, squash and parsnips.

7. Get exercising

It’s no secret that exercise helps to relieve stress, which may be enough in itself to have a positive effect on IBS. According to Chinese theory, exercise also promotes the flow of qi and helps unblock any stagnation, which may be causing symptoms. Tai chi or qi gong, for example, are well-known forms of Chinese exercise, which may be beneficial. Similarly, hula hoop exercises, and circular belly dancing moves are great, easy and fun ways to help shift stagnation of liver qi. It’s also important to learn to relax afterwards as this helps to control symptoms further.

8. Help with herbs

Typical herbs to help treat IBS include fennel, which has anti-inflammatory and carminative properties, and ginger, which has anti-spasmodic properties and is also a carminative. The benefits of these can best be gained by making an infusion using one heaped teaspoon of either herb per cup of boiling water. Alternatively, try using equal parts of chamomile, ginger and peppermint for relief of symptoms.

9. Apply massage

Self-massage can have a fast effect on symptoms. What’s more, it can be done whenever symptoms arise, either seated or lying down. Using your palm, work on your small and large intestines by stroking the area above your navel and below your heart in a clockwise direction. This can have an instant soothing and relaxing effect. To help treat and even prevent symptoms, it’s worth carrying out this massage on a daily basis, but make sure that you always apply a clockwise motion, as this helps with the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine and speeds up the journey of waste as it travels into the large intestines.

10. Practise reflexology

A reflexology treatment can be tailored to relax and calm the digestive system, thus helping to reduce inflammation in the gut and lessen the symptoms of IBS. Special attention may also be applied to the lymphatic system to stimulate the release of toxins and impurities, and open up the body’s natural energy pathways.

Check out the huge range of food available for people with dietary restrictions at http://generaldietary.com/

Article by

Sarah Stanbury

Article by

Sarah Stanbury