IBS stands for irritable bowel syndromes. One in every five individuals in the United States of America is affected with it. As the term is self explanatory, IBS is a condition characterized by irregularity and irritability in the movements of large and small intestines. Some common symptoms of IBS include mucus-covered stool, anxiety, depression, fatigue, headache, nausea (just after eating), bloating and gas, abdominal cramping or pain, diarrhea and constipation.
Following are some of the best natural remedies to treat IBS.
A non-competitive exercise like walking helps your digestive system to work smoothly. It also increases the production of endorphins, a natural pain killer. Furthermore, half an hour of daily walking, preferably early in the morning in fresh air, helps in relieving stress, which is one of the major factors that cause IBS. This way, regular exercise does not just improve your fitness level, but it also enhances your body’s ability to fight effectively against all those factors that can lead to irritable bowel syndrome.
Drinking ginger tea is probably the best natural remedy to treat any type of digestive problems, including IBS. You can prepare fresh ginger tea by steeping ½ tsp. of grated ginger powder in one cup of hot water for fifteen minutes. Then, filter the liquid and sip the tea. Alternatively, you can also use ginger tea bags that are widely available in almost every health food store. For faster relief from the symptoms of IBS, you are advised to drink around 4-6 cups of ginger tea daily.
Drinking peppermint tea can also be equally effective. You can prepare this tea in the same manner as ginger tea. Just make sure that you are using real peppermint, not peppermint flavored black tea. Drinking this tea relieves gas pain, reduces spasms and relaxes your intestines – all of which eventually help in normalizing your bowel movements.
Lie down in bed or just sit comfortably. Keep your eyes closed while your focus should completely be on your breathing pattern. Pay attention to the way the air is going out and coming in. This simple exercise, when done regularly (at least 15-20 minutes daily), can be very helpful in calming your nerves, improving the stress management ability of your body and in regularizing the bowel movements.
Mix equal parts of cardamom seeds, ginger and pepper. Grind them until they turn into fine powdered form. Add one teaspoon of this powder in two cups of warm water. Stir the mixture thoroughly and drink it. For best results, use this remedy three times daily, preferably just after your meals.
To relieve abdominal cramps or pain caused by IBS, you can consider using a heating pad or a heating compress to your abdominal region for around five minutes, as and when needed. It will provide you instant relief from cramping.
Add 2-3 drops of dill oil in one teaspoon of honey and consume it after every meal, 2-3 times a day. It helps in proper digestion of the foods and eventually relives from the symptoms of IBS.
Add ½ tsp. of ginger powder, a pinch of rock salt and a pinch of asafetida powder together in two cups of lukewarm water. Drink this warm mixture for instant relief from gas, bloating and cramping. It also heals the irritability in the intestines. Drinking a solution of just rock salt mixed in a cup of water can also be very beneficial.
Peel and cut some fresh pieces of ginger in slices. Add a few drops of lime juice on the ginger slices and consume it just after your meals. It is one of the best natural remedies to treat irritable bowel syndrome.
Mix one tsp. of Psyllium husks in half glass of water and drink it. For better results, you can use yogurt in place of water. However, if you are taking certain medications, you must keep a gap of at least one hour between the medication and this remedy.
Drinking chamomile tea is also useful in alleviating the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Just mix ½ tsp. of chamomile tincture in one cup of warm water. Drink this tea 2-3 times or more daily. It is a very effective natural remedy to soothe irritable intestines.
Prepare a paste by mixing one teaspoon of slippery elm powder with water. Consume this paste, once daily, preferably on an empty stomach early in the morning.
Add 1 tsp. of flaxseeds in one cup of water. Drink this mixture once daily, preferably at night right before you retire to bed. This way, the solution will continue healing the irritable intestines throughout the night.
Grind some pomegranate seeds and mix a pinch of black salt into it. Consuming one teaspoon of this mixture once daily can be very helpful in treating IBS.
Put around 10g of Indian gooseberry in water. Do it at bedtime, allowing the gooseberry to get soaked in water thoroughly overnight. The next morning, bring out the softened gooseberries, crush them and add a pinch of black salt. Consume this mixture once daily before breakfast.
– Chew your foods properly. When you eat fast, there is always a risk of swallowing too much air that can aggravate the condition of IBS.
– Eat six smaller meals instead of three large meals.
– Increase your fiber intake, but gradually. Start with 8 grams a day and then increase the intake at the rate of 3-4 grams daily until the fiber intake reaches 30 grams a day. Some good sources of fiber include grapefruits, strawberries, apples, oatmeal, eggplant, navy beans and pears.
– Avoid butter, fatty meats, caffeine, chocolate, excessive sugar, spicy foods and food that produce gas (like carbonated beverages, green and red peppers, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and onions).
– Drink 8-12 glasses of water daily. It is all the more important when you are suffering from constipation caused by IBS.
– Avoid cigarette and alcohol
Most cases of IBS can be treated quite effectively just by using the above natural remedies. But, it is always better to consult a doctor and go for a thorough diagnosis to rule out the possibility of any serious complications.
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