Top 10 Herbal Remedies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Also abbreviated as IBS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disease in which irregularity of bowel movement. is encountered. It occurs due to disorder in the immune system that results in abdominal pain, bloating and intestinal gas. Diarrhoea, weight loss, headache or constipation can also be associated with the disease. 

Other symptoms may include abnormal stools. It can occur for short duration or for the whole life. The causes for irritable bowel syndrome are not very clear but it is found that the causes are different for different people. The problems are associated with the signals that are sent from brain to the digestive tract. Hormonal changes, stress etc. may be considered as other related symptoms. Diet, regular exercise and stress management can be helpful for the treatment of this disease.

One should avoid the consumption of alcohol and caffeine for better prevention from this syndrome. Limit the consumption of fatty foods and dairy products. There are medications available for curing the disease but these may be costly and may cause side effects. Alternative natural methods can be helpful in such cases. There are a number of herbal remedies available that can be useful for treating irritable bowel syndrome. These remedies are cheap and effective methods to reduce the symptoms associated with the disease.

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Top Herbal Remedies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Psyllium Seed

Psyllium seed is effective in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Soak psyllium seeds in water for two to six hours. At least one glass of water should be consumed while consuming psyllium. It can also be consumed by adding in the food. It is helpful in reducing appetite. Psyllium provides relief from discomfort and pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome. It also reduces constipation and diarrhoea.

 

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Peppermint

This medicinal herb can be consumed in the form of capsules. Enteric coated peppermint oil capsules are effective in reducing the pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome. Take peppermint in the dried form and add in one cup of boiling water. Soak for ten minutes and drink. It reduces heartburn and has no side effects. It provides relief from inflammatory pain in the gastrointestinal tract.

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Ginger

Tea prepared from ginger root is very beneficial for curing irritable bowel syndrome. The tea is golden red in colour and sweet in taste. It provides warmth and energy. Add one teaspoon of ginger in one cup of water and boil in a covered vessel for 10 minutes. Cool it and drink one to two cups in a day.

Adding small amount of honey makes the tea sweet. It is also helpful for stomach. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and prevents vomiting. It is also available in the form of tincture, oil and capsule. It reduces nausea and calms up the stomach.

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Gentian

Gentian is a medicinal herb having root and bark that are used for medicinal purposes. Herbal tea prepared from gentian is useful for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. It relaxes the upset stomach and reduces gastrointestinal inflammation.

It is also useful for improving appetite and bile flow. Prepare a combination of twelve milligrams of gentian root, thirty six milligrams each of verbena, cowslip flower, European elder flower and sorrel taken as three times per day.

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Cardamom

Prepare cardamom tea by adding one teaspoon of cardamom powder in one cup of water. Honey can be added for consuming this herb. It can be blended with other spices like ginger, cinnamon and cloves. It is helpful in digestion and kills bacteria. It is a good herbal remedy for curing stomach upsets and nausea as well.

 

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Chamomile

Tea prepared from chamomile is yellow in colour and bitter in taste. Soak chamomile in water for twenty minutes for preparing tea. Flowers of chamomile can be used for tea preparation. It relaxes the eyes and cures problems related to digestion. It can also be consumed in the form of tincture taken three times per day.

Honey and lemon can be added for taste and effectiveness. By adding ginger and peppermint in the chamomile tea, it can be used for the treatment of nausea. It is useful in reducing intestinal gas and healing physical distress.

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Dandelion

Chop dandelion root and use its one to three teaspoons in water. Boil and simmer for ten to twenty minutes. Drinking this tea as one to two cups daily is useful in curing irritable bowel syndrome. Ginger, cinnamon and chicory can be combined with dandelion for effective use. Prepare a tincture using a combination of Calendula, fennel, dandelion, St. John’s Wart and lemon balm in equal amounts.

This tincture can be consumed by mixing one teaspoon in one fourth cup of water as three times in a day. Continue consumption for fifteen days. This tincture is especially useful in curing irritable bowel syndrome. It also reduces constipation and diarrhoea.

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Fennel

Add half teaspoon of fennel in one cup of boiling water for preparing fennel tea which is helpful in curing irritable bowel syndrome. It reduces fat from the digestive system and inhibits mucus production in excess amount in the intestine. The fennel seeds can be consumed in the food by adding them in vegetables like carrot, cabbage etc. that reduce symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome. Another method of using these seeds is to sprinkle them on salads.

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Flaxseed

Prepare tea using one teaspoon of flaxseed in one cup of water. Drink this tea before going to sleep. It is helpful in reducing symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome. One to two tablespoons of flaxseed oil should be consumed by adults daily while children can take one tablespoon per day. It is also available in capsule form. Keep the flaxseed oil in refrigeration. It is helpful in reducing bloating and constipation.

 

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Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is useful in reducing digestion and curing irritable bowel syndrome. Juice prepared from aloe vera  is useful in providing relief from pain and inflammation in the stomach. It also reduces swellings and heals the digestive tract. Consume aloe vera along with eight glasses of water in a day. It contains polysaccharides and glycoproteins that are responsible for reducing inflammation and pain.

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