Herbs That Can Help with IBS Presented by: Tracy Tutty 23 April 2014 © Copyright 2011-2014, Tracy Tutty
Healthy Digestion, Happy Life
www.TurquoiseRay.com
Outcomes By the end of tonight you will: • Understand exactly what Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is • Know the warning signs that suggest you may have something other than IBS and where to go for help • Learn about 3 of my favourite herbs that you can use to help manage your IBS symptoms
© Copyright 2011-2014, Tracy Tutty
Healthy Digestion, Happy Life
www.TurquoiseRay.com
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome? • IBS is the most common functional gastrointestinal condition seen by GPs and the disease most commonly diagnosed by gastroenterologists. – Functional diseases are ones where the function is impaired but the structure is normal
• 1:4 people in the UK believe they have IBS and it affects twice as many women as men. • IBS is typically classified as abdominal pain accompanied by a change in bowel habit in the absence of evidence of disease. It is often a diagnosis by exclusion. • Commonly reported symptoms include: abdominal bloating, gas, pain that is often relieved by defecation, headache, nausea, heartburn, tiredness, diarrhoea or constipation (or a mixture of both)
© Copyright 2011-2014, Tracy Tutty
Healthy Digestion, Happy Life
www.TurquoiseRay.com
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome? • Rome III defines IBS as: – Recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort** at least 3 days/month in the last 3months associated with two or more of the following: 1. 2. 3.
Improvement with defecation Onset associated with a change in frequency of stool Onset associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool
– These symptoms have occurred for the last 3 months with symptom onset at least 6 months prior to diagnosis – ** “Discomfort” means an uncomfortable sensation not described as pain.
• There are 4 subtypes – – – –
IBS-C: with constipation IBS-M: mixed IBS-U: unspecified IBS-D: with diarrhoea
© Copyright 2011-2014, Tracy Tutty
Healthy Digestion, Happy Life
www.TurquoiseRay.com
Possible Causes of IBS Brain-Gut Axis links thoughts and feelings with responses in the gut. This can cause inflammation or increase/decrease transit time.
Stress can alter gut flora populations and the emotional response to stress can increase or decrease transit time. Sensitivity and reaction to triggers increases in the gut when we are stressed, partly due to the release of neurochemicals such as Corticotropin Releasing Factor.
Stress or Strong Emotions can increase/decrease transit time through the oesophagus, stomach or small intestine.
Infection Gastroenteritis can change gut flora populations, increase localised immune responses and inflammation, and reduce tone within the gut wall which increases the risk of leaky gut (also known as small intestinal permeability).
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) increased concentrations of bacteria in the small intestine can reduce immunity, increase risk of leaky gut and affect emotional and psychological health. Reduced transit time can increase risk of SIBO, increasing fermentation in the gut and causing bloating.
Visceral Hypersensitivity You are more aware of changes within your intestine. This could be due to inflammation, a localised immune response near nerve endings or increased serotonin levels.
© Copyright 2011-2014, Tracy Tutty
Healthy Digestion, Happy Life
www.TurquoiseRay.com
• General – Unexplained weight loss – Fever of unknown origin, especially if prolonged or recurring, or occurring as night sweats
• Gastrointestinal Tract Related – – – –
Blood in the stool or on the toilet paper Persistent or severe vomiting Unexplained changes in bowel habit Unexplained ulcers
If you notice any of these signs, talk to your doctor.
© Copyright 2011-2014, Tracy Tutty
Healthy Digestion, Happy Life
www.TurquoiseRay.com
Your IBS Recovery Framework Is It IBS?
Formal Relaxation
Meaning
Healing
Stress
Purpose
Check out the shop at www.TurquoiseRay.com enter WEB2304 at the checkout and enjoy £10 off the purchase price
© Copyright 2011-2014, Tracy Tutty
Healthy Digestion, Happy Life
www.TurquoiseRay.com
Herbs Often Prescribed for People with IBS • There is no IBS herb but there are herbs that can help people who happen to have IBS • One way Western herbal medicine describes herbs is by their action on the body. Actions that may help in IBS include: – Carminatives • Aromatic herbs that encourage digestion. They can help relieve nausea, gas (up and down).
– – – –
Anti-inflammatories Anti-spasmodics Bitters Nervines • Relaxing, calming herbs
– Anti-microbials – Astringents – Mucilaginous • Soothe and coat irritated mucosal tissue, promoting healing
© Copyright 2011-2014, Tracy Tutty
Healthy Digestion, Happy Life
www.TurquoiseRay.com
Herbs Often Prescribed for People with IBS • • • • • • • • • • • •
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) Dandelion (Taraxicum officinalis) Gentian (Gentiana lutea) Marigold (Calendula officinalis) Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
© Copyright 2011-2014, Tracy Tutty
Healthy Digestion, Happy Life
www.TurquoiseRay.com
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) • Queen of the Meadow • Abundant in salicylates so avoid if you have an aspirin allergy. – Aspirin was isolated from this herb (acetyl + spirae – old name for meadowsweet)
• Traditionally used as an antacid, analgesic, antiinflammatory and astringent • Relieves gastric irritation, pain, and balances secretion of gastric acid • Unlike aspirin, Meadowsweet does not irritate the gastric mucosa
© Copyright 2011-2014, Tracy Tutty
Healthy Digestion, Happy Life
www.TurquoiseRay.com
Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)
Image Source: http://www.altnature.com/gallery/skullcap.htm
Actions: anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, slightly astringent, nervine tonic, sedative. Mildly bitter. If fresh, the volatile oils act as a diaphoretic and emmenagogue. Emmenagogues encourage menstrual flow, therefore avoid the fresh plant in pregnancy, unless under the care of a qualified professional
© Copyright 2011-2014, Tracy Tutty
• Traditionally used for restlessness, irritability, sleeplessness, fatigue and nervous tension • During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Eclectic physicians prescribed skullcap for nervousness caused by illness, mental or physical exhaustion, nervousness with muscular spasms, nervous heart •
It appears to act via CNS to build and restore its tone and to allow relaxation and rest.
• Finley Ellingwood recommended Skullcap for two aspects of nervous upset: 1.
2.
irritability of the nervous system with restlessness and nervous excitability; inability to sleep without pain; general irritability with insomnia from local causes A nervous disorder, characterised by irregular muscular action twitching, tremours and restlessness
Healthy Digestion, Happy Life
www.TurquoiseRay.com
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) • Warming and comforting • Antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic, astringent, antibacterial, carminative • Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory • Some research suggests it may inhibit Helicobacter pylori • Helpful for GI upsets: flatulence, nausea, bloating, diarrhoea, dyspepsia • Enhances digestion
© Copyright 2011-2014, Tracy Tutty
Cautions •Although traditionally used as a preservative, don’t apply cinnamon oil topically as the cinnamaldehyde can cause allergic contact dermatitis in some people •It increases insulin sensitivity and when taken orally can reduce blood glucose levels •Avoid in pregnancy
Healthy Digestion, Happy Life
www.TurquoiseRay.com
Outcomes Tonight we covered: • What exactly Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is • The warning signs that suggest you may have something other than IBS and where to go for help • My framework for moving towards a life that’s not governed by IBS • 3 of my favourite herbs that you can use to help manage your IBS symptoms – Meadowsweet – Skullcap – Cinnamon
© Copyright 2011-2014, Tracy Tutty
Healthy Digestion, Happy Life
www.TurquoiseRay.com
References • • • • •
• • • • • •
Bergner, P., (2002). Scullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora). Medical Herbalism: A Journal for the Clinical Practitioner. 13 (2), 15-17. Drossman, D.A., (2006). The functional gastrointestinal disorders and the Rome III process. Gastroenterology. 130, 1377-1390. Farnam, A. et al., (2008). Five personality dimensions in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment. 4 (5), 959-962. Hoffman, D., (2003). Medical herbalism. The science and practice of herbal medicine. Vermont: Healing Arts Press. Jiang, X., et al., (2008). Prevalence and risk factors for abdominal bloating and visible distention: A population-based study. Gut. 57 (6), 756-763. Kerckhoffs, A.P. et al., (2009). Lower Bifidobacteria counts in both duodenal mucosaassociated and fecal microbiota in irritable bowel syndrome patients. World J.Gastroenterol. 15 (23), 2887-2892. Kuhn, M.A., Winston, D., (2008). Herbal therapy and supplements. Second edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Longstreth, G.F., et al., (2006). Functional bowel disorders. Gastroenterology. 130, 14801491. Patient Choices (online) http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Irritable-Bowel-Syndrome.htm [Accessed: 24 July 2011]. NHS Choices (online) http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Irritable-bowelsyndrome/Pages/Causes.aspx [Accessed: 24 July 2011]. Thabane, M., Marshall, J.K., (2009). Post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome. World J.Gastroenterol. 15 (29), 3591-3596.
© Copyright 2011-2014, Tracy Tutty
Healthy Digestion, Happy Life
www.TurquoiseRay.com
