Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a condition that is related to the bowel movement of your body. The symptoms of this condition are often uncomfortable and potentially embarrassing.
Some of the common and not-so-comfortable symptoms include:
- Cramping,
- Bloating gas,
- Diarrhea,
- Abdominal pain,
- Altered bowel habits,
- Food intolerance, and
- Distention
It is a functional disorder where the functioning of your digestive system changes and creates a problem with mortality rather than damaging the tissues of the system.
However, some home remedies for IBS can help you get some relief from the symptoms and recovery from the condition. Granted that everyone’s body is different, once you can find remedies that can work for you, try them to put an end to the discomfort caused by this condition.
Some common herbs and home remedies can help you support your irritated gut health. There are some medications available in the market that can soothe IBS symptoms, but some people may feel better trying natural remedies instead of conventional drugs.
So, here are some of the home remedies for IBS that can help you treat this condition at home.
Helpful Natural Remedies for IBS
These remedies will help you treat your gut and assist you in improving your health and recovering significantly from the condition. These home remedies are:
Ginger
Ginger is one of the most used and beneficial kitchen ingredients in various cultures worldwide due to its excellent properties. It is also known as one of the best natural remedies for IBS as it can help you reduce the symptoms such as gas and bloating. It can also help you reduce the inflammation in the intestine and help intestinal muscles relax.
Ginger is full of antibacterial, antiemetic, and sedative properties that will help you soothe the IBS pain and restore your gas function. So, if you want to treat IBS, all you need to do is visit your kitchen and try this wonder plant.
Read More: Incredible Health Benefits Of Ginger
Probiotics
Probiotics are a boon for people who are suffering from gut-related problems. Be it diarrhea or IBS – probiotics, they can help you relieve the symptoms and restore your gut health. The reason is simple – probiotics are specific strains of good bacteria that can help you improve your digestive health.
You can either take them through supplements or eat food items full of probiotics, such as yogurt, kimchi, kefir, and Kombucha. The Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium present in probiotics will reduce the effects of IBS and boost your gut functionality.
You can find probiotics naturally in foods such as:
- Oats, wheat products, and whole grains
- Bananas
- Artichokes
- Asparagus
- Onions
So, if you are looking for something that can treat your gut functionality effectively, then you can try this one of the best home remedies for IBS, as it can help you deal with bloating and flatulence. A combination of natural probiotics and prebiotics supplements can improve various IBS symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation.
Introduce More Fiber to Diet
Take fiber-rich foods like fruits, veggies, and beans gradually over several weeks to get relief from IBS symptoms. However, it is a mixed bag for people who suffer from IBS as it can ease the symptoms like constipation but can worsen other symptoms like cramping and gas.
So, you need to make sure that you don’t go overboard with this remedy and eat these foods carefully. In some cases, your doctor may tell you to take a fiber supplement such as Metamucil instead of adding dietary fiber.
According to various studies, foods rich in psyllium may help you more with managing the symptoms of IBS than food that contains bran. Fiber will clean up the bowels and improve the symptoms of IBS.
The best way to try this one of the best remedies for IBS is to slowly increase the fiber intake in your diet over several weeks and look out for any changes in symptoms. Several studies have suggested incorporating different fiber types in your diet, including psyllium, wheat bran, and calcium polycarbophil, can improve IBS.
Yoga
Yoga will help you become more “in touch” with your senses and fill you with positive feelings. Various studies have suggested that this has allowed people to relieve the symptoms of IBS. According to research, Yoga can help you restore the normal signals in the nervous system.
Pranayama can help you deal with diarrhea-predominant IBS by boosting the levels of sympathetic tone. Savasana will help you relieve the stress and provide you with a temporary escape from all your worries and anxiety, decreasing IBS symptoms. Due to such benefits, Yoga is considered one of the best home remedies for IBS.
Try Iberogast
Many doctors have recommended Iberogast for the treatment of IBS. This solution is made of nine different plant extracts and peppermint and can prove to be one of the most effective home remedies for IBS-related pain.
It is an herbal formulation consumed in capsules to deal with the various symptoms of this painful and discomforting condition.
What follows are the active ingredients present in this medicine:
- Bitter candytuft
- Dried angelica root
- Chamomile flower head
- Dried caraway fruit
- Milk thistle dried fruit
- Dried balm leaf
- Dried peppermint leaf
- Celandine
- Dried licorice root
Implement Low FODMAP Diet
According to several studies, the low FODMAP diet is one of the best home remedies for IBS. This diet eliminates foods full of compounds known as FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols). These compounds are poorly absorbed in the gut and can create problems in your bowel movements.
So, try to limit the below-mentioned problematic foods:
- Dairy products like milk, yogurt, ice cream, and cheese.
- Vegetables such as onions, garlic, broccoli, cabbage, mushrooms.
- Sweeteners such as honey, sorbitol, high fructose corn syrup
- Wheat products like bread, cereals, pasta, crackers
- Fruits like peaches, apples, pears, apricots, cherries, blackberries
This diet will be split into two phases: In the first phase – High FODMAP foods will be eliminated from your diet for the first two weeks. Then, in the second phase, the food items will be re-introduced one by one.
Food items that trigger the symptoms will be permanently removed from the diet. You can either consult a dietician or take your doctor’s advice about starting the low FODMAP diet. Taking expert advice can ensure that you receive complete nutrition even when you are eliminating many foods.
Keep the Stress Away
There is no better way to treat IBS than resting at home and taking your time to relax. Stress is one of the prime reasons why your IBS symptoms will be triggered. Learning the art to manage stress will not only help you combat the symptoms of IBS but also keep many diseases at bay. Following techniques can be used to manage stress:
Progressive muscle relaxation: In this method, you will need to focus on one part of your body at a time and try to relax it. This is one of the effective ways to soothe the misfiring signals of the gut. This and other meditation techniques have shown significant improvement in IBS symptoms.
Visualization/positive imagery: Visualization and imagination are also beneficial in treating IBS. Imagine that you are in a serene place, where you are surrounded by lush green grass and watching a tranquil river. This will take your focus away from sensations of IBS.
Deep breathing: Breathing exercises can also help you calm down the nerves that are not working well in IBS. According to a study conducted in 2013, people who tried this method reported fewer IBS symptoms than those who didn’t try this exercise.
Incorporating these relaxation techniques can prove to be one of the best natural home remedies for IBS as it can reduce symptoms of the condition.
Also Read: Meditation – A Home Remedy For Stress
Final Words
There are many natural ways you can treat symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome from home. This saves the need to purchase over-the-counter medications or prescription medications. Safe and effective home remedies include herbal supplements, dietary changes, and exercise techniques.
