Q: My wife has irritable bowel syndrome. Is there something nutritionally she could do to help her condition?
JVW: While IBS is not “all in your head” as some mainstream practitioners might suggest, certain psychological factors can make it worse. For this reason, my colleague Kerry Bone, an herbalist, has often suggested that IBS sufferers use herbs that are good for the nervous system, such as St. John’s wort and valerian root. Also, German chamomile has both a relaxing effect and is soothing to the digestive tract.
But the real route to long-term relief is to get to the root of your problem. IBS is often used as a catchall diagnosis for abdominal pain and/or diarrhea, which can make finding the specific cause a bit tough. Food sensitivities, lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance, psychological factors, and stress — or some combination of these — could be your culprit. You might want to start by keeping a journal of what you eat, how you are feeling, and when you experience your symptoms and see if you can uncover any patterns. Then, systematically eliminate the irritating factors.
Of course, it’s always a good idea to see a doctor who is familiar with natural remedies. It may take some patience on the part of both you and your doctor to find the solution, but I have seen many of my patients get rid of their IBS for good without patient medications.
For more detail on herbs you can use, check out Kerry Bone’s article on IBS in the August 2002 issue of Nutrition & Healing.
What is…German chamomile?
There are two types of chamomile, German and Roman. German chamomile (Matricaria) is the main species used in the treatment of skin and digestive disorders. The best German chamomile produces a deep blue oil due to the plant chemical chamazulene. Although chamazulene is an anti-inflammatory, two other plant chemicals are also responsible for the therapeutic benefits of chamomile: bisabolol and levomenol. Only a few high-grade varieties of German chamomile possess an oil that is rich in both chamazulene and bisabolol, and those are highly prized by naturalists for their healing properties.
Look for high-therapeutic grade chamomile, rich in bisabolol and chamazulene, in a liquid extract form. Since this variety of chamomile extract may be hard to find in health food stores, the American Botanical Council (512-926-4900; www.herbalgram.org) may be able to help you in your search.
Although this herb is extremely safe, you should consider an alternative option if you have a history of allergy to ragweed or other members of the daisy family since chamomile is a member of the daisy family.
