Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the most common gastro-intestinal disorder reported to GPs and up to 50% of referrals to gastroenterologists are for IBS. Patients may suffer recurrent abdominal pain, allergies and severe bloating with diarrhoea and/or constipation. It is more common in women, especially between ages 20-40 years. Symptoms include pain low down on the left and/or right of the abdomen. There is often discomfort just below the stomach. There are usually loud bowel sounds, which can be embarrassing. Patients can experience tiredness, nausea and be very windy.

Most of the patients seen at the Herbal Medicine Clinic have had problems with their digestive system for many years and have treated only the symptoms. This is an inflammatory condition so it is very important to address the source of the inflammation rather than merely mask the symptoms.

My approach to treating IBS is to identify any underlying problems, which are fuelling the IBS. Patients are sent to a medical laboratory for non-invasive tests. Herbal Medicine, along with dietary modification, is usually very effective at treating this condition, attaining a high rate of clinical success.

Depending on the test results, a herbal prescription is formulated to meet the patient’s unique needs. Every patient’s experience of IBS is different so a prescription tailored to the patient’s condition works far better than a one-size-fits-all approach. Stress is very significant in the aggravation of IBS so it’s important to adjust lifestyle to allow for relaxation and to support the nervous system with Herbal Medicine. On average, it takes around 7-10 days to start noticing an improvement and treatment continues until the patient is symptom-free.

If you feel you could benefit from this natural approach to your IBS and would like to discuss your health concerns, call 01273 561844 for an appointment.

Deborah Grant BSc(Hons)

Consultant Medical Herbalist
www.herbalist-medicine.com