Herbal Solutions for SIBO: Effective Natural Treatment

| Modified on Jun 29, 2024
The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Ileocecal Valve Massage
Posted by Ln (Oregon) on 07/02/2020
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

After being diagnosed and testing positive for SIBO, I was given a website with information on how to follow the FODMAP diet. I have always been careful with my diet, avoiding gluten and dairy and minimizing sugar.

However, I found following the FODMAP diet so restrictive that I began searching for other solutions. I came across websites and videos on how to massage your ileocecal valve to stop unwanted bacteria from flowing from the large intestines to the small intestines, which can create bloating, gas and other SIBO related issues.

I followed the demonstrations (easy to find with a google search) and I found relief within a couple of days. I performed the massage 3x a day as recommended, only for a few minutes. I also ended each massage with pressure moving the valve from my right hip towards my gut, encouraging the closed position.

For me, the valve was often very sore, and the massage helped lesson the pain over time. I was able to reduce all of my SIBO symptoms with this technique, and now when they flair up again, I go back to the massage for relief.


Chlorine Dioxide
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 04/13/2021
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I had suffered from SIBO for close to 3 years since eating at a Crackle Barrel in Georgia. But how I accidentally cured it. I was taking Chlorine Dioxide for a virus infection. And after 2-3 days of drinking the stuff, the SIBO went away. It's been 2 months now and it has not returned.

The Chlorine Dioxide I'm using is the Aquamira Water Purification drops sold to purify drinking water. This comes under “Other uses” lol.

How to use Liquid Drops:

  1. Place 7 drops Aquamira Water Treatment (Part A) and 7 drops Phosphoric Acid Activator (Part B) in a cap to pre-mix.
  2. Let mixture react for 5 minutes to ensure full activation (it will turn yellow color).
  3. Fill a container with 1 quart (1 liter) water. Add contents of mixing cap.

Water is now ready for use. Enjoy! I've been told NOT to take vitamin C supplements while taking Chlorine Dioxide!

Dosage:

Drink 3 oz taken every hour, until the content of the bottle is finished (8 to 12 shots). It has no taste. Just like water. Make a new batch fresh in the morning and repeat.

Note: I believe this treatment will destroy any unwanted pathogen in the digestive tract causing harm like Crohn's Disease, Chronic Diarrhea (bacterial in nature), Peptic Ulcers, Ulcerative Colitis.

Turmeric
Posted by Patti (Newport Beach, Ca) on 11/11/2012
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Wanted to share a remedy that works for my SIBO. I took 2 rounds of antibiotics and the bloating and symptoms kept coming back. Then I began drinking turmeric/ ginger/ lemon and black pepper tea every night. This cured my SIBO. Turmeric is an antibacterial that works great.

Make the tea by boiling water and adding it to shredded turmeric, shredded ginger, slice of lemon and sprinkle of black pepper. The black pepper magnifies the potency of the turmeric. Let all this sit and stew for about 10 min. I scoop out the bottom shredded stuff after drinking the tea. The tea tastes good!! Works amazing!!

I tried lots of remedies listed on the site but found this to be the best. Turmeric is great for a whole list of things. Research it and you will be amazed!!

Hope this helps someone. I drink the tea every night and it removes any bloating and keeps the SIBO from coming back.


Low Carb Diet and Peppermint Oil
Posted by Steve (Halifax, Nova Scotia) on 02/13/2022
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

About three years ago I had food poisoning. As a result, I experienced a prolonged period of IBS-C. This condition persisted for about five months. I thought I was beginning to heal when I began to develop IBS-D. I tried many approaches, eliminating things from my lifestyle that might cause the diarrhea, such as alcohol, coffee and spicy food. However the condition only got worse. Then I tried antibiotics and about a year ago I tried the FODMAP diet. Again, the condition only got worse.

Then I found medical centers providing information on SIBO. The causes, symptoms and treatments. 35 days ago I started a low carbohydrate diet (<30 grams per day)and 10 days ago I started taking peppermint oil capsules. As of 5 days ago, I have been IBS-D symptom free.

The combination of restricting carbohydrates and the peppermint oil capsules have provided me the first consistent relief from the IBS-D in three years.

I am sharing this so others suffering from this serious condition might be encouraged to keep researching and to be willing to try treatments that have a sound medical foundation and have case studies that show success.

I was becoming depressed about not finding a solution. My local medical advisers actually gave me the wrong advice that aggravated my condition. So, sites like this provide case studies and real examples of people healing themselves.

cheers

Steve


Heat
Posted by Deerparkann (Deer Park, Wa, USA) on 12/02/2012
★★★★★

I've been fighting shingles and digestive problems for years. Think I have SIBO, but not diagnosed by a doctor. Found out that in Europe they are using Bromelain (an anti-inflamatory made from pineapple) and Papaya enzymes for shingles. I tried that and it has helped both the shingles and the digestive problems. Since SIBO is basically an infection, I also decided to apply heat to my stomach and was amazed at the relief it gave me. I'm careful not to have the heat too hot so I don't get burned. I used to have huge amounts of gas, but now am almost to normal abounts. Also if I eat something I know will bother me, the heat helps keep it to a minimum. Hope this helps someone else. This site has been a great help to me, so thank you to all who share.

Grapefruit Seed Extract, Aloe, Supplements
Posted by Bananabean (Austin, Tx) on 01/08/2014
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I have not posted here before but after curing an incredibly difficult ailment I'm trying to get the information out as I searched high and low when I was sick and trying to cure myself.

Western medicine does not have an answer for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and it is known as only treatable, not curable. I spent 7 years and thousands of dollars doing diagnostics and going through round after round of antibiotics. I'll spare you the details of everything I've tried because the list is huge. I was very sick, extremely underweight, broke and stuck at home with this condition.

Of all the things out there to take, this is what works both for temporary relief and what to take as the ailment is healing.

Grapefruit seed extract - 20-30 drops at least per day in water

Intestinal Formula # 2 from Dr. Schulz - I am not affiliated with this company - this was the first product strong enough for me to stop my antibiotics - at least 50 charcoal pills per day. When you feel an attack coming on start with 10 pills, increase if necessary. I was up to 100/day at one point

Ultimate Aloe Vera juice - NOT just any aloe vera juice. Most have a laxative effect which you do NOT want. I order mine from shop.com/raol as it supports a non-profit. It must be this brand as they take the laxative effect out and it's only the inner leaf of the aloe plant

Isotonic Magnesium and Isotonic Calcium - I also order from shop.com/raol - these two items are crucial for complete healing of the intestines - if you're in bad shape you need the isotonic version as it's instantly absorbed. I tried all sorts of other vitamins including magnesium and calcium.

Warm lemon water every day

As long as I stay on a little bit of the aloe juice now that I'm healed and stay away from sugar, my digestion is perfect. Thank you.

Sea Salt
Posted by Kayla (Pacific Nw, Or) on 05/28/2012
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I suffer from SIBO. I woke up at 3 am with burning and pressure under my rib cage, I was doubled over I was sure we have to go to the ER. I realized that maybe the SIBO bacteria must increased overnight. Anyhow, I read Ted's remedies regarding sea salt. Wow is sea salt soooo powerful I took one lemon squeeze the juice into a glass, plus a 1 teaspoon of sea salt ( Ted's quote "Bacteria dies One teaspoon - two teaspoon of sea salt in 1 glass of water, ONE SINGLE dose stopped the urinary tract infection. " ) but since my SIBO symptoms were extreme and I thought I would try sea salt in glass of water I drank it down my symptoms disapperared within an hour I could not believe it!!! The effects of sea salt certainly verified that the discomfort is indeed from bacteria that is causing the SIBO.

I also take 1/2 cup organic 100% natural cranberry juice, ( No sugar added, the kind you buy in the health store or New Seasons kind of store) plus the juice from one squeezed organic lemon plus 1 teaspoon Apple cider vinegar the kind you buy in the health and mix all three into 8 oz of water and drink three times a day. This might help some of you that are suffering it sure has helped me.


Apple Cider Vinegar and Cayenne
Posted by Bill (Oregon City, Oregon) on 08/05/2009
★★★★★

I have had stomach issues since childhood. Last year I got to where I had acid reflux daily, so bad I could not sleep lying down. Then a few months a go it changed. My food was slow to digest and I felt like I had some sort of virus. I could only eat cereal and yogurt. It got to the point to where I could not eat without getting major cramps. I went to the doctor. After X-rays and blood test (all my test were clean) he prescribed Prilosec and Reglan. I tried them for a week and had some relief, but was not getting better. I was up one night or early morning, searching the net for any information.

I found earthclinic and started my ACV and cayenne regiment (I did not have Glutamine at the time). After my first drink I could tell a difference. After 4 days, I was able to eat and sleep better. That weekend I purchased Glutamine and have been doing the ACV and cayenne drink with the glutamine capsule 3 times a day for a week. I feel normal most of the time, eat regular and sleep much better. I intend to stay on the regiment until I have fully recovered and cut back to once a day to stay that way. I have another doctors appointment in a week. From my research I believe I have a bacterial infection or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). I intend on asking for the breath test to know for sure.

Black Cumin Oil
Posted by Ezek1 (London) on 11/04/2016
★★★★★

For Sibo relief: 30 min before breakfast, take 1 teaspoon of black cumin oil 100% natural mix in a small cup with warm water and ginger for taste. You experience within 1 to 2 hours gases traped in your bowell coming out of your system and good bowell movement. Do the same in the even 3 hour after dinner.

Please see a dietician and request a low fodmap diet.


Multiple Remedies
Posted by KT (Dc) on 08/30/2015
★★★★★

Sibo: I have a history of food allergies and sensitivities. After a visit to a naturopath about 3 years ago she mentioned overgrowth of bacteria in the intestine. I couldn't afford to keep going, but kept that in the back of my mind. Recently I had a bought with constipation, anxiety, sleeplessness, severe pain in my lower left abdomen, bloating, belching, etc that lasted for a week. I realize I've been bloated for months and just thought I had put on weight

Finally I got some relief. Here's how:

1. Took about 1/16 teaspoon of baking soda in water for temporary relief.

2.Reduced my food intake to less than 1/2 the norm. Cut out all sugar foods except fruit, and a few potato chips (like 1 small bag in a week) Consisted of the following: 1 bottle of water soon upon waking, serving of fresh low-sugar fruit about 30 minutes later. IF I was hungry, 1/2 plate of Green leafy veggies(kale) and 1/3 piece of fish(cod) for lunch and again for dinner only if I was hungry.

3. Complied 100% with my food sensitivities for 5 days(if you haven't had a blood test for this, it is a MUST)

4. Drank on average 4 bottles of water a day, some non-caffeinated herbal tea

5. Made sure I had enough time to get at least 8 hours of sleep, asleep before midnight

6. Took 1 clove of chopped fresh garlic with water (like a pill) everyday. I've heard some people with acid reflux have issue with garlic so obviously omit this if you have to. I also started taking turmeric as it is antibacterial, antiviral, antiinflammatory

7. When I was finally able to have bowel movements, I did so in the squatting position (on american toilets that really consists of using a stool you can order on amazon, or hoisting your legs/feet onto the seat. Takes practice/getting used to). This allows your colon to be emptied more completely.

Within 7 days, my stomach was flatter than it has been in a LONG time, inflammation in other parts of my body that I've had for years, went away! Eczema has begun to clear.

Hope this is helpful

Dietary Changes
Posted by Delta (London) on 08/12/2021
★★★★★

SIBO

I found relief by changing my diet and lifestyle. Apple cider vinegar (a few spoonfulls) in a glass diluted with a little water before a meal helps. Reducing refined carbs and sugars. Having gaps between meals. Not eating too late. Oral health is important too - bad bacteria can be swallowed. Finally, avoiding food and drink which relaxes the valve in the esophagus, namely dark chocolate, green tea, chamomile tea, peppermint. Stomach acid which is not acid enough will allow bacteria to produce gas which in turn drives acid reflux. Increasing the level of the acid in the stomach helps to kill bacteria.


Rifaximin + Low Carb Diet
Posted by Grace (Tacoma) on 06/05/2018
★★★★★

Standard treatment for SIBO is Rifaximin sold under the trade name Xifaxan plus adhering to a low or no carb diet. If rounds of Rifaximin doesn't cure SIBO. Then the next step was two or three weeks of Elemental Formula, no food just the formula the first three days were hard after that it was easier. This feeds the person, but starves the SIBO. Many might find this difficult so there is the herbal combination and adhering to strict diet you do this for four weeks . 1-3 of the following herbs x 4 weeks per course, at highest levels suggested on product labels. Allicin from Garlic the best one is Allimed Oregano, Berberine- found in Goldenseal, Oregon Grape, Barberry, Coptis, Phellodendron, Neem
and Cinnamon. Get a SIBO trained doctor that helps


Dietary Changes
Posted by Sara (Louisville, Ky) on 03/06/2015
★★★★★

I cannot speak to the issue of natural antibiotics, as I used the medicinal type when fighting SIBO, but I can attest to the positive effects of the Low FODMAP diet. It has completely eliminated my SIBO symptoms. If you do have SIBO, one issue that can be a factor is the timing of your meals. SIBO apparently slows down the digestive system's natural cleaning wave, which does not allow it to cleanse away the bacteria. The advice is to go 3-5 hours between meals, no snacking, to ensure this cleansing wave happens. Kate Scarlata, a dietician in Boston who has battled SIBO herself, has a great website and blog with lots of great advice. I was determined not to continue taking antibiotics because they only got rid of the problem temporarily and I hate taking medications. I was determined there had to be a dietary approach. Doctors were no help, so I did my own research and found the Low FODMAP diet. It is hard to stick to at first, but I got the hang of it and I NEVER get sick anymore.

Here are a couple of links:
http://blog.katescarlata.com/2014/01/22/small-intestinal-bacterial-overgrowth/
http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/040511p46.shtml

I hope this is helpful. Good luck!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Deborah (Taos, Nm) on 01/11/2016

Some people with SIBO cannot tolerate vinegar of any kind or any fermented foods.....


Dietary Changes
Posted by Brooklyn Baby (Brooklyn NY) on 06/30/2021 11 posts
★★★★★

I do believe that my SIBO was caused by taking prescribed medication to reduce the production of acid in my stomach. I was suffering from Acid Reflux really bad so the Doctor wrote me a prescription for Nexium and sent me on my merry way. It kind of makes sense now that there would be a backlash from my body for preventing it from doing what it was designed to do. Sorry body, I didn't know any better.

Shortly after taking these PPI's, I began to experience bad breath. It has taken me 15 years to realize that the PPI's were the culprit. My breath, as well as my bowels smelled putrid. After consulting with Medical Doctors as well as Holistic Doctors I spoke to my body and apologized for abusing it and stated that I would find a Doctor who would cure me. I googled digestive Doctors, it brought me to a website of a practice that dealt only with digestive disorders. I looked at the practicing Doctors and read their bio's. I picked the oldest Doctor and told my body that he was the Doctor that would help us get well. The Doctor issued a breath test which determined that I had SIBO. I had never heard of SIBO. I started reading and researching this ailment to get a better understanding of it.

First thing that I learned was, STAY AWAY FROM ANY AND ALL SUGAR. That includes carbs. I am currently on the Keto diet.

The Doctor prescribed 2 weeks of Rifaxin. Unfortunately I was actually sick for a month once the treatment ended. My Doctor stated that was the bad bacteria leaving my body. I nursed myself back to health drinking hot water mixed with 1 tsp. turmeric and 1 tsp. coconut oil. When that ceases to relieve the pain I alternate with 1/2 tsp of baking soda with 8 oz. of hot water. I just read a post that stated sea salt with hot water is good as well. I will start that regime tonight. I thought that it was my stomach that was hurting me but my Doctor stated it's actually my small intestine.

I am currently taking a 30 day treatment of Amoxicillin. Unfortunately last week I had a horrible craving for sugar and ate a cracker with some jelly on it and I might as well have thrown a bomb in my small intestine. I feel like I am back at square one.


Chlorine Dioxide
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 08/01/2023
★★★★★

Back in my original post, after 2-3 days I noticed my SIBO was gone. That was over 2 years ago and it has not come back.


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Kevin (Ma) on 07/26/2013

SIBO - Fight: I'm so amazed by so many people in the same struggle. I've been dealing with this for at least 7 years now. Drs never found a thing. I've found out about berberine (Goldenseal) and Enteric Peppermint Oil. Gonna go hard on those two while also doing a periodic salt water flush. Adding to it fresh tumeric tea everynight with ginger and lemon. Gonna do this for as long as I can and going to add food grade hydrogen peroxide when it arrives in the mail any day now. When all of that is done, I'm gonna do a cleanse with paragone! Either I will be healthy and feeling better or dead and without the gas, bloating and irritation. If I don't report back in 3 months somone call the EMTs, the morgue or the Pastor!!!

B12, Royal Jelly
Posted by Anonymous (Salem, Or) on 06/08/2012
★★★★★

SIBO dramatic results from taking B-12 and Royal Jelly , and drinking ginger tea throughout the day. Ginger tea is simply made by organic fresh ginger then grate it and boiled in some water. Then strain and drink the ginger tea once cooled. I also purchased a probiotic that has Bacillus subtilis which was developed by the med. Corp in 1941 to save military men from dysentery and other digestive ailments. This Bacillus subtilis annihilates bacteria. It is really quite amazing. The diet is simple no sugar, no grains and no dairy.

B12, Royal Jelly
Posted by Renate (Kentucky) on 08/01/2016

Maryjean , if you have food poisoning take activated charcoal capsules, they really help a lot.



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