Natural Remedies for IBS Relief: A Holistic Approach to Gut Health

Coconut Oil

Posted by Elaine (Nashville, Tennessee) on 01/25/2012
★★★★★

Coconut oil has significantly reduced my IBS symptoms. As long as I take four pills each day I don't have symptoms. I also have long nails for the first time in my life and my hair is thicker too. I suspect coconut oil helps IBS sufferers that have had their gall bladder removed.... just a personal hunch.

General Feedback

Posted by Lady From London (London, Uk) on 12/23/2011

I just heard that a diet called Low FODMAP diet is helpful in relieving the symptoms. Basically, it's keeping fermented foods out of the diet. If anyone has tried this, please do let us know. Thanks!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Hef (Mississauga, Ontario) on 12/11/2011
★★★★★

I have been using Organic Raw ACV for my IBS symptoms.... It worked really well after I added a little bit of baking soda and 1/4 tsp of Cayenne Pepper with a bit of Turmeric. Overall symptoms are significantly better now.

It keeps going and coming in cycles ... Every couple of week especially when I am not sleeping enough and work and family realted stress. I am working to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night and not to sleep late on the weekends and exercise more often at the gym.

Valerian

Posted by Timh (Louisville, Usa) on 11/22/2011 2048 posts

Mira, Valerian has a natural healing agent and is recommended for digestive diseases, but is mostly known as a nervine.

Valerian

Posted by Mira (Strathclyde, Scotland, Uk) on 11/21/2011
★★★★★

I have been taking a 450mg valerian root capsule each night before bed for the past week and it has led to a marked improvement in my IBS-C symptoms. It might be due to the fact that valerian has a slowing/calming effect on the body and has allowed my digestive system to relax somewhat. The one night I missed a dose, my crampy/gurgly symptoms started coming back during the day, so I am positive that it's the valerian that is helping.

L-Glutamine

Posted by Nancy (Mineral City, Ohio, Usa) on 11/20/2011
★★★★★

I go to Dr. Frackelton in Westlake, Ohio for cancer prevention. (I already had it once) I have suffered from spastic colon off and on for years. I was really in pain one time when I went for my routine blood work and mentioned it to him. He said, "I know what will fix you up right now. " He told me to take 1 tsp of l-glutamine 3 times a day. I had been suffering with this for 4 weeks. I had already gone to my regular doctor who prescribed a medicine that did give me some relief from the pain. I quit taking that medicine the day before I went to see Dr. Frackelton. I took the l-glutamine later after I got home. I was taking my third teaspoon of it when I realized that I was fine!!! It worked that fast. When Dr. Frackelton told me it would fix me up right now, he was right! The l-glutamine really worked. I hope this helps someone.

Peppermint Oil

Posted by Lisa (S. California, Ca, Usa) on 11/18/2011

You have to take ENTERIC coated peppermint oil. Straight peppermint is way too strong to put into the stomach. Peppermint increase the gastric juices in the stomach, so it needs to bypass the stomach and get into the intestines. Peppermint relaxes muscles, ie intestinal muscles.

If I have a sudden attack and need IMMEDIATE relief, the capsules are NOT the answer. They take awhile to start working. For immediate relief, try peppermint tea ( will make you sleepy) or Altoids. With the Altoids, I usually eat around 10-15 in a 5 minutes period and it helps A LOT.

If you get stomach pain, eat some food with it or eat some DGL LICORICE chewables/lozenges from iherb. The taste is not great but it gets rid of stomach ( not intestinal) pain.

Peppermint Oil

Posted by Mel (Kobe, Japan) on 11/10/2011
★☆☆☆☆

A friend had success with these but said you need to take them for a few weeks before getting results. That said, they didn't help my IBS-D.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Diane (Columbia, Missouri) on 10/24/2011
★★★★★

This is a follow-up to my original post back in April 2010. I'm still symptom free from my IBS because of the ACV. I haven't had any problems with it whatsoever since I started drinking the ACV. The good news is that now, I only drink it once in awhile for "maintenance". If you have IBS, you must give it a try.

Chromium Picolinate

Posted by Bill (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) on 10/05/2011
★★★★★

Chromium Picolinate has improved my digestion by 90%. I take 200 mcg 15-30 minutes before every meal. The results have been miraculous. And I was one of those people who tried all the typical cures, probiotics, fiber, etc with no success and I was getting frustrated. But the chromium picolinate has saved my digestion. My bowel movements are like the ones I had in high school!

I also found it helps for frequent urination but I made a different post for that. I hope this helps somebody!

IBS and Herpes Virus Connection

Posted by Yardley (Los Angeles, Ca, Usa) on 10/02/2011
★★★★★

Megyn, I had the chicken pox 2 years ago which is when my ibs symptoms started. Chicken pox is a form of herpes and I am convinced there is some correlation with this virus and bowel dysfunction. Now all we have to do is convince our doctors and maybe they will do a study!

IBS and Herpes Virus Connection

Posted by Megyn (Houston, Tx) on 09/25/2011
★★★★★

Hi I know this thread was started last year. I just wanted to share quickly my experiences with vaginal herpes and IBS-C. I have had herpes since I was 18 and IBS-C symptoms that have increasingly gotten worse. I have followed a gluten and lactose free diet for over two years now which helped greatly. Then recently my food intolerances have become so bad that I started a low FODMAP diet which has also helped to mitigate a lot of the bowl discomfort I have suffered. But I was still having a lot of problems going to the bathroom. All of this is going on while I have been having almost one herpes out break after another for the past 6 months. I have been tested for SIBO, and it was inconclusive. My bathroom habits have been difficulty accessing the muscles needed to properly eliminate (a lot of twisting, turning, pushing on my abdomen) what ends up being pretty soft, sometimes not formed at all stool. So its not classic constipation. My lower left back has also been causing me pain problems chronically. I was beginning to wonder If I had a pinched nerve that wasn't signaling properly, but I don't seem to have a pinched nerve either. I also don't have any sensation in the rectal area to have a bowel movement. It is more of a bloating and discomfort in the abdomen, so I go and try and pray something happens.

So a few days ago I got a prescription for Valtrex for suppresive therapy, after just two days of taking 1 gram a day I have noticed a huge difference in my ability to eliminate! I don't know if there is a causal relationship, but it is definitely correlated. I will continue to stay on suppressive therapy for a LONG TIME as well as continue the low FODMAP diet for at least a year to let things heal. I will probably get some stool samples tested for parasites and yeast just to make sure too. But I think I am on to something. Hope this helps someone!

Lemons

Posted by T.martin (Winslow, Nj) on 08/14/2011
★★★★★

Lemon Water works even better with distilled water. I have had great success with fresh lemon and distilled water:)

Konjac Mannan

Posted by Amy (Bc, Canada) on 07/08/2011
★★★★★

I struggled with IBS type symptoms for 6 months following a c. Diff infection. I tried almost every natural remedy on this site with no luck. Within one day of starting Konjac-mannan, I had a noticable improvement in after meal bloating and distension. My bowels returned to almost normal after alternating between diarrhea and constipation. I read that it helps normalize bacteria in the gut so maybe that's why it helped me. To me it's been a miracle cure.

Peppermint Oil

Posted by Bess (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) on 06/24/2011
★★★★★

I found this regarding IBS in a recent newsletter from Dr. Al Sears:

For irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, you can take enteric-coated capsules of peppermint oil. It's completely safe. The coating stops the oil from getting digested too early. One study gave either the capsules or a placebo to people with IBS. Of the people who took peppermint, 75% had a significant reduction of IBS symptoms.

I hope this helps the IBS sufferers. Not quite the same thing, but when I have indigestion, I either drink peppermint/spearmint tea or chew a few fresh mint leaves. It takes just a few minutes and I feel much better. Maybe that's why people have "after-dinner mints" - it's the mint that helps digestion.

Blackstrap Molasses

Posted by Gavin (Manganui, Northland, New Zealand) on 06/23/2011
★★★★★

Yeh regarding your IBS. Totaly knock off white bread .. And take a teaspoon of Black strap mollasas everyday. That cured me. Browner the bread the better.. but the cheap white fluffy stuff seems to make the bowels react.

Magnesium Chloride

Posted by Luana (Hollywood, Fl) on 06/23/2011
★★★★★

Magnesium Chloride cured me right away. I was given a deadly staff infection from a surgery and then tons of antibiotics over the course of a year and became very messed up. Doctors had no answers. I couldn't even digest food any longer and had terrible problems. I tried everything. Learned of the magnesium chloride from Bill from San Fernando here on Earthclinic and followed all the really valuable links he provided on the miracle of magnesium. Don't buy the magnesium in the drug store, its not the same.

Nystatin

Posted by Randy (Jersey City, Nj, Usa) on 04/18/2011
★★★☆☆

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

I had a lot of success with nystatin powder as well. bloating, gas, and constipation reduced 95% over a couple months. after stopping, however, my symptoms came back. the doc said I might need to continue using periodically. also, I've found a few side effects, including fatigue and pimples

Peppermint Oil

Posted by Lisa (S. California, Ca, Usa) on 04/11/2011
★★★★★

I've been struggling with IBS and Celiac for a long time. I still get cramps even though there is no more gluten ( or hidden gluten) in my diet.

I found a softgel that has peppermint oil, fennel and ginger in it from iherb. Wow, do these things work great and really tame the tummy!!! I finally have some relief! I take 1 at night and one in the morning. If I still get painful cramps, I take another one. They don't help with diaherra though.

They are a bit hard on the stomach at first so take with a bite or two of food until you get used to them.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Mikeh95 (Salem, Oh, United States) on 04/09/2011
★★★★★

Amazing how this instantly cured my IBS! I have been suffering with IBS for about a year now. I got IBS at age 14 and it really made high school a living hell. Now I'm currently 15 and I'm cured! The quality of life is so much better for me now. I recommend AVC to everyone with IBS, it works amazingly.

Peppermint Oil

Posted by Butterflycari (Heber City, Ut, Usa) on 03/06/2011
★★★★★

One thing I notice is you have to get the ENTERIC COATED peppermint oil capsules. I have had really good results by using these and usually one dose is sufficient.

Nystatin

Posted by Linda M. (Newbury Park, Ca) on 02/26/2011

Thanks for the valuable info on IBS and possible link to infection. This has been very helpful to me and I believe I may have an infection that has been going on for some time.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Paula (Westhampton Beach, Ny) on 02/26/2011
★★★★★

I took your advice and have been drinking the ACV with Mother for 5 days. I feel much better and have noticed a little energy surge. Thanks so much for this great idea. What is funny is that my Dad drank ACV and honey every day way back in the 60's and my mom made us kids drink it too. I never knew why, maybe they knew about it's healing ability. :~)

Probiotics

Posted by Linda M. (Newbury Park, Ca) on 02/25/2011
★★★★★

I have suffered with ibs-d for 1 year and tried several natural remedies that have not worked for me. I was constantly getting colds and flus and I was very weak. A friend recommended a high quality probiotc (Natren healthy trinity and Life Start 2) with amazing results. My diarrhea and loose bowels stopped immediately. My first few days involved more normal bowel movements and I did experience gas as my flora in my intestines was being restored. I was told this was normal and would clear up. It is very early in my recovery, but the results so far has been very positive. I hope this is helpful to others.

Rutin

Posted by Micki (Swindon, Wilts, Uk) on 02/22/2011
★★★★★

IBS Remedy. Please try Rutin 500mgs twice a day for 3 days, then once a day for a month. After that once a week, but back to original dose if any flare ups again. This remedy is Magic! Seems to work even better, if you also take a B50 weekly, selenium yeasts for a month, and vit D3 5, 000 ius for a couple of weeks too. No flare ups at all on this supplementation. But Rutin is the main remedy.

Fennel

Posted by Tommy (North York, On, Canada) on 02/13/2011

Hi,
I'm happy that Fennel has saponins that could explain why it relieves your IBS. Saponins have some activity against protozoa and bacteria. Your testimonials are another prouve that IBS is an infection.

Fennel

Posted by Darenm (Trenton, Michigan) on 02/13/2011

I too have had great results with fennel. I have been suffering from IBS on and off for several years now. Usually it only last for about two weeks. But this time it lasted about 8 MONTHS!

My IBS is strictly pain. I don't get diareha or constipation just pain on my left and right side below my ribs.

Heres what I did:

After a colonoscopy my doctor diagnosed me with spastic colon (aka IBS)and prescribed me an anti-spasmodic drug called Bentyl or something like that. Of course I refused to take it and searched for a natural alternative.

Fennel is a natural anti-spasmodic and so is Chamomile. Fennel tea does help but I found chewing fennel seeds and sucking the juice out and swallowing then spitting the seeds out helps a lot too. But so far I think it is better to actually eat the seeds. I add about 1/2 teaspoon to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. (I acutally use sunflower seed butter)

I buy my fennel seeds at a local health food store for 50 cents per ounce. Two ounces last me a 1 week or two. You can also order them online. I like Frontier Herbs since they have great prices and a HUGE selection of raw and organic herbs.

The other thing that is GREAT is to eat a fennel bulb that you can buy at a grocery store. I buy mine at Meijer or Kroger. But some krogers don't carry them. It's a white bulb with a long green stem. The best way I've found to prepare it is by cutting it like an onion into half in strips then STEAMING it. It makes it very soft and easy to chew. Sometimes I also sautee it with butter.

Eating the fennel bulb is probably one of the best in my opinion.

I also like to combine the steamed bulb with rice as it makes a nice substantial meal. And rice helps a lot for me.

The other thing that I recently purchased that HELPS A LOT is Organic Acacia sennegal fiber. There is a seller online with a great price for a round tin that contains a good amount. The brand I bought is specifically made for IBS sufferers. I think it was like $16. You can find it online by doing a google search for "Acacia Fiber IBS".

The final thing that has helped me is STRESS reduction and watching comedy! START LAUGHING! IT HELPS I SWEAR. Go on youtube and look up Louis CK he is hilarious! Or just type in comedian and watch some of those videos.

GOOD LUCK I HOPE THIS HELPS.

-darenM

Iodine

Posted by Mike (Vancouver, Wa) on 02/03/2011
★★★★☆

I was recently researching the link between iodine deficiency and anxiety. I didn't find a lot of convincing information, so I decided to try it on myself.

I've had IBS for at least a year now and strangely enough, I found it to be completely anxiety related and not at all to do with the bowels themselves. I also have regular anxiety as well, but I haven't seen any doctors about either condition because I refuse to get on the meds wagon.

Two nights ago, I painted two squares of 2.5% iodine tincture onto my wrists. I could feel the effects of that by the next day, I went the whole day without any symptoms. One important thing I did find in my research, was that selenium deficiency apparently aggravates iodine deficiency, so naturally, I took 200mcg of selenium the next night in addition to painting iodine on my biceps this time. Still no symptoms of anxiety or IBS on the third day now and I'm hoping this is the real deal. Another interesting bit, I used to take selenium regularly as part of my supplement routine and then stopped for a long time without any obvious reason (ran out and forgot to replenish.. ). For informational purposes, I'm 23, smoke regularly, drink on weekends, eat relatively healthy (always home cooked) but not a ton of fruit and vegetables in my diet.

Interesting Fact: The iodine painting deficiency test is not an indication of anything. Most of it evaporates and becomes colorless, and the rate of that is dependent on the environment that you are in. It does absorb into your system, however, in small amounts. To back that up: When you do this so-called test, wait until it disappears, then get some hydrogen peroxide and apply it to the area; you will see that the whole thing is actually still there.

Best of luck!

IBS and Parasites

Posted by Rusti1230 (Dayton, Oh, Usa) on 01/25/2011
★★★★★

I'd like to add some additional information to this post. I was hospitalized and then diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. They did a parasite test while I was in the hospital and it came back negative. I found out later it only tested for 5 parasite types. Based on some reading I did, there are over 350 different types of parasites. I did the whole medical establishment routine for a year and then the symptoms came back. I did not want to take all those meds anymore so I started trying many of the remedies on this site with mixed results.

To make a long story short, I also have 4 dogs and I ordered some food grade diatomaceous earth because they had worms (I read about FGDE on this site). After further reading regarding the health benefits for humans, I decided to take it myself. Not to be gross, but you can imagine my surprise (and I'll spare you the details) when I realized I had parasites myself. I'm hoping that now that I've taken care of this, that the other protocols outlined on this site will be more effective or that my UC will clear up now; however, I believe I also have a mycobacterium issue.