Irritable bowel syndrome is also known as mucous colitis or spastic colon. This is a functional gastrointestinal disorder which is caused by irregularity and irritability in the movement of the both large and small intestines. Some of the most common symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease include fatigue, depression, headache, nausea, mucus in the stool, gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping or pain. It is a known fact that 1 in 5 Americans suffer from irritable bowel syndrome. This is one of the most commonly diagnosed disorders. It is a known fact that women are having bigger chances of getting irritable bowel syndrome compared to men [1]. Usually, this condition begins around age 20. The exact cause of IBS is not known, but there are some studies in which are found that feelings of anger, frustration, and nervousness may contribute to it. There are some factors that can aggravate this problem, such as eating dairy products, cruciferous vegetables, raw fruits, and drinking too much coffee. If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, then you can find relief when you use some of the below-mentioned home remedies. You need to talk with your doctor before you start using some of the below-mentioned home remedies for irritable bowel syndrome.
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9 Home remedies for irritable bowel syndrome
Cabbage juice
This is also a very effective home remedy for people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome and who experience constipation. The raw cabbage juice has chlorine and sulfur which help to deeply cleanse the mucus membranes of the intestinal tract and stomach. Cabbage juice has a mild laxative effect which can make bowel movements softer and easier to pass as well as to keep your body hydrated. You should wash a fresh cabbage and then cut it into small pieces. You should put these pieces through a blender or juicer to make fresh cabbage juice. You should drink ½ glass of this juice at a time, 3 – 4 times per day. You must drink the cabbage juice as soon as you start having constipation. Talk with your doctor before you start drinking cabbage juice because in some people it can cause flatulence and bloating. [2]
Ginger
This home remedy can help to reduce bloating and gas, and this is a reason why it is often recommended as a natural treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. Also, this natural cure can reduce inflammation in the intestines and relax intestinal muscles. To one cup of hot water, you should add ½ teaspoon of freshly grated ginger. You should let it steep for ten minutes. Strain out the ginger. Add some honey to this tea and then drink it. You can drink this type of tea 2 or 3 times per day to ease abdominal pain and cramps. There is another option, and that is to grate a small piece of ginger, and you should add one teaspoon of honey to it. You should eat this mixture before you have your lunch and dinner because it can help you to rid of diarrhea, and it will help you to improve your digestive process. People who suffer from high blood pressure should not use ginger as their natural treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. [3,4]
Fennel seeds
These seeds can give relief from bloating and intestinal spasms which are associated with irritable bowel syndrome. Also, they play an important role in eliminating fats from the digestive system, and also they will inhibit the overproduction of mucus in the intestines that contribute to irritable bowel syndrome. You should add ½ to 1 teaspoon of crushed fennel seeds to one cup of boiling water. You should steep it for ten minutes, strain it, and you should drink this tea. You should drink this home remedy 2 or 3 times per day to prevent as well as reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Also, there is another option, and that is to take ½ teaspoon of dry roasted fennel seeds powder two times per day with warm water. [5]
Peppermint
This home remedy can reduce some symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, such as diarrhea, bloating, and cramping. Peppermint has menthol oil which has an antispasmodic effect on the smooth muscles of your digestive tract. This home remedy can help to get relief from intestinal spasms, gas pain, and bloating. Also, this home remedy can help food pass through the stomach easily. You should add 2 or 3 drops of peppermint oil to ¼ cup of warm water. You should drink it 3 or 4 times per day. You should continue using it until you see improvements in your condition. Also, there is another option, and that is to add 1 teaspoon of dried peppermint to one cup of boiling water. You should steep it for ten minutes. You should drink this home remedy 2 or 3 times per day. If you take peppermint in excess amounts, then it can cause nervous system disorders, heart problems, loss of appetite, and nausea. [6]
Bananas
Fresh and ripe bananas are nutritious fruit which can help you to get relief from the symptoms of IBS. You should eat one or two ripe bananas on a daily basis because it can help you to have a healthy digestive system, and it will prevent this condition. If you have diarrhea, then you should mash one ripe banana and you should mix it with a pinch of salt and one teaspoon of tamarind pulp. You should eat this natural treatment 2 times per day until diarrhea stops.
Flaxseed
This is one of the best sources of dietary fiber which is required for the swift and comprehensive passage of waste products. Also, this home remedy is a good source of Omega – 3 essential fatty acids which can support the immune system and digestive systems. Flaxseeds can be used as a natural treatment for diarrhea and constipation. You should take one tablespoon of freshly ground flaxseed with water once per day. Also, there is another option, and that is to add one teaspoon of flaxseed to one cup of boiling water. You should steep for 5 – 10 minutes, and then you should drink this tea before you go to bed. You should drink it on a daily basis because it can keep your stomach smooth, clean, and free from gas. Also, you can mix one tablespoon of flaxseed in one glass of water, and you should let it stay there for 2 – 3 hours. You should drink water on daily basis before you go to bed because this can help to promote smooth bowel movements. [7]
Yogurt
One of the most popular home remedies which can be used for the natural treatment of irritable bowel syndrome is yogurt which has live cultures. Live cultures are friendly bacteria which provide a layer of protection in the intestines, and it can help to generate lactic acid to flush out bacterial toxins from your body. You can make a smoothie, or you can eat the yogurt as it is. You should eat it several times per day until you see improvements in your condition. Also, there is another option, and that is to mix ½ teaspoon of psyllium husks or lsabgol (which you can find at drug stores) and one cup of yogurt. You should eat this home remedy one hour after your lunch or dinner. You should repeat it on a daily basis until you see improvements in your condition. [8]
Chamomile
This home remedy has antispasmodic properties, which in combination with the high amount of tannins which is present in chamomile, can give you relief from the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome such as diarrhea. This home remedy can give you relief from abdominal spasms, and it can reduce inflammation in the intestines. In one cup of boiling water, you should put 2 – 3 teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers. You should let it steep for about fifteen minutes. You should strain it and then add a little lemon juice to it. You should drink this tea about 3 times per day. [9]
Oat bran
When you eat oat bran on a daily basis, then it can give your body the much–needed fiber, and it can help to reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome to a great extent. When you eat this home remedy, then the stool becomes soft, and it gets passed down painlessly and easily. Also, this home remedy has zinc, magnesium, riboflavin, phosphorus, thiamin, iron, calcium, protein, and antioxidants. You should add one tablespoon of oat bran to your breakfast cereal on a daily basis. Also, you can mix 2 parts of water with one part of oat bran and cook this home remedy for a few minutes. Then, you should eat it like oatmeal. Also, you can add one tablespoon of oat bran to salad, smoothie, or yogurt. If you eat oat bran for the first time, then you can have bloating and gas, but these symptoms will decrease as your body adjusts to it. [10]
References:
[1] American Physiological Society (APS). Why gastrointestinal disorders afflict women more often. Science Daily. 2015.
[2] Cheney G. Rapid healing of peptic ulcers in patients receiving fresh cabbage juice. California Medicine. 1949;70(1):10–15.
[3] Van Tilburg MAL, Palsson OS, Ringel Y, Whitehead WE. Is ginger effective for the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome? A double blind randomized controlled pilot trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2014;22(1):17–20.
[4] Bodagh MN, Maleki I, Hekmatdoost A. Ginger in gastrointestinal disorders: A systematic review of clinical trials. Food Science & Nutrition. 2019;7(1):96–108.
[5] Portincasa P, Bonfrate L, de Bari O, et al. Irritable bowel syndrome and diet. Gastroenterology Report. 2017;5(1):11–9.
[6] Khanna R, MacDonald JK, Levesque BG. Peppermint oil for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. 2014;48(6):505-12.
[7] Tarpila S, Tarpila A, Grohn P, Silvennoinen T. Efficacy of ground flaxseed on constipation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. 2004.
[8] Chandran MG, Varghese R, Thoppil AJ, et al. A prospective study evaluating the role of homemade yogurt as a treatment option for irritable bowel disease. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2017;112:S238-9.
[9] Agah S, Taleb AM, Moeini R, Gorji N. Chamomile efficacy in patients of the irritable bowel syndrome. Der Pharma Chemica. 2015;7(4):41-5.
[10] Nyman M, Nguyen TD, Wikman O, et al. Oat bran increased fecal butyrate and prevented gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with quiescent ulcerative colitis—randomized controlled trial. Crohn’s & Colitis 360. 2020;2(1).
