Natural solutions IBS – Herbal formulas
NATURAL SOLUTIONS IBS USING CHINESE HERBAL FORMULAS
Chinese herbs have been used to treat IBS for over 3,500 years. In Chinese herbalism, groups of herbs are combined together to specifically address the symptoms a person presents with. This is one way in which treatment is very individualized — a master herbalist treats no two patients with the same combination of herbs because the underlying cause of the problem may be different despite having the same symptoms.
Most herbalists use a “classical formula” as a foundation. Many classical formulas written up to 2,000 years ago are still commonly used today. Groups of herbs can be added or taken out of classical formulas to customize them for patients.
For example white peony and Licorice are a simple IBS cure. It is a two herbal combination that synergistically reduces spasms and slows down frequent bowel movement. White peony is used in high dosage to regulate bowel movement. Other herbs such as bluperum can be combined with scutellaria to reduce inflammation of the gut.
Benefits of herbal formula combination:
- No side effects on the scale of medications.
- Herbs used meet GMP (Good Manufacturing Standards) and are the highest quality without any adulterants or impurites.
- Supervised herbal combinations allow you to communicate to the practitioner the results and he or she can reevaluate the herbs individually for each case and adjust the herbal formula accordingly to fit your unique situation.
- Herbs are easily administered orally through and instant powder concentrate or pill form. No mess in cooking herbs.
- Herbs are only given after an extensive search for drug herb interactions and avoiding any herbs that may have interactions with medications.
- Have the reassurance that a health care provider is devoted to helping you get better and make you well.
- Helps difficult cases that need deep treatment to not simply treat the symptoms but to restore function.
Research on IBS & Chinese Herbs
An Australian study published in 1998 in the Journal of the American Medical Association lends strong scientific support to treating IBS with Chinese herbs. In this double-blind study, 116 patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome were divided into three groups. One group was given a standard Chinese herbal preparation, a second group was given customized herbal formulas (individually written for each patient), and a third group was given a placebo. Each patient had regular consultations with both a Chinese herbal-medicine practitioner and a gastroenterologist. Both groups taking the Chinese herbs showed significant improvement over the patients taking the placebo. Positive results were reported by both the patients themselves and the gastroenterologists. Although there was improvement in both groups of patients taking herbs, it is important to note that the positive effects were shown to last longer in the group that was given individualized formulas. Only these patients had maintained improvement on a follow-up consultation 14 weeks after completing the treatment.
This study clearly shows that Chinese herbalism is most effective when each patient is treated not only for their condition, but also for their bodily constitution and other presenting symptoms. According to the principles of Chinese medicine, each patient must be treated as an individual. Optimal results will be obtained with both herbs and acupuncture when specific treatments are customized for each patient[1].
Many phyisicans warn people about herbs as if they were poision and there has been a backlash against herbalism following the abuse of supplements such as ephedra for weight loss, Aristolochia for quick weight loss programs. The one thing that fails to get mentioned is the training needed for the herbs to be properly administered by a trained and certified clinician, who needs to take 30 continuing educational credits yearly to stay certified. At the very worst if the herbs aggravate the condition, they can be stopped and reformulated. No herbal formula for IBS patients has ever maimed or killed them. the push for more medication and profits haas been the real driving force behind over-medicating and side effects.
Find out for yourself today how Chinese herbal medicine can help call 201-444-7150. I look forward to listening to you and hearing your concerns.
[1] Bensoussan A, Talley NJ, Hing M, Menzies R, Guo A, Ngu M. Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with Chinese herbal medicine. Journal of the American Medical Association 1998; 280(18): 1585-1589.
