The pain and discomfort of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be debilitating. The urgency for obtaining relief is often complicated by the fact that the condition has a tendency to alternate between a range of symptoms. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of home remedies for IBS that are able to produce the much-needed relief you seek.
Though effective at relieving symptoms, these remedies should not be considered all-inclusive cures. Keep in mind that some of the symptoms of IBS can be indicators of a more serious problem for which you need the advice and treatment of a healthcare professional.
Gaining relief from IBS can come in the form of adding oat bran to your diet. Oat bran contains the necessary protein, vitamins and minerals to help nourish your body in a potent way, but it also contains a large amount of dietary fiber to help keep your bowels clear.
Few herbs can bring the relaxation you seek like chamomile tea, and it makes an excellent IBS home remedy. The tannins in chamomile tea have antispasmodic properties to help bring relaxation and pain relief. In addition, chamomile is known to help reduce inflammation.
You might be all too familiar with the heaviness that comes from Italian cuisine. Well, that’s why there are fennel seeds and the reason why Italian recipes often include them. Fennel seeds are excellent at relieving a number of IBS symptoms like intestinal spasms and bloating, but their most significant role in digestion is eliminating the fats which inhibit the over-production of intestinal mucus associated with IBS.
Another awesome herb for combating IBS discomfort is ginger. Ginger is effective at eliminating gas and bloating and also has potent anti-inflammatory properties to help bring pain relief and relax intestinal muscles.
For those who suffer from the symptom of constipation in association with IBS, cabbage juice is an excellent home remedy to keep in mind. Cabbage juice contains sulfur and chlorine which help to cleanse the mucus membranes in your bowels, but its most potent property is its mild laxative effect for softening stools.
A fruit which is particularly effective in treating IBS symptoms is the banana. Bananas contain soluble fiber which helps to absorb the liquids in the intestines and reduces diarrhea. In addition, the potassium in bananas help to relieve bloating and gas.
An effective IBS home remedy for treating IBS symptoms, which alternate between constipation and diarrhea, can be found in carrot juice. Carrots contain pectin which helps to relieve either of these symptoms.
Though dairy is typically avoided by those suffering from the discomfort of IBS, yogurt, especially yogurt with live cultures, is a viable home remedy for relieving IBS. The friendly bacteria from live cultures help to provide a layer of protection to the intestinal walls and help to produce lactic acid, which flushes bacterial toxins out of your bowels.
Flaxseed is another potent IBS home remedy for either constipation or diarrhea to keep in mind. Dietary fiber is in abundance in flaxseed, which helps keep your bowels clean, but it is the addition of omega-3 fatty acids which are most effective at supporting the digestive and immune systems.
Getting relief from cramps, bloating and diarrhea, which are common symptoms of IBS, can be achieved using peppermint. Besides the antispasmodics found in peppermint, it tends to assist in the process of passing food through the digestive tract in a gentle manner.
A beneficial home remedy that is effective in treating IBS is exercise. A major factor in the cause of IBS is associated with stress. Exercise helps to release endorphins, which are a natural pain reliever, but it also helps increase blood circulation and stir up improved bowel activity.
We just mentioned how stress plays a contributing role in the condition, so it stands to reason that learning to manage stress is an essential IBS home remedy. Reducing stress will not only relieve the symptoms but will likely eliminate all of the underlying causes of your bowel and gastrointestinal issues.
Another essential remedy for IBS includes drinking plenty of liquids. Your intestinal tract needs liquids to function properly. Staying away from beverages with large amounts of caffeine and alcohol have the most damaging effects, but sensible liquids, mostly water, help to keep your intestinal tract properly lubricated and also helps to flush out waste.
Adding sensible sunlight to your daily routine is another excellent IBS home remedy to include. Vitamin D, which is acquired through exposure to sunlight, is an essential nutrient for proper organ functions including digestion. Though vitamin D3 can be obtained through a supplement, it is not as effective as that which your body can produce from sunlight.
It is likely that you are already familiar with the soothing properties of aloe vera used topically, but those same soothing properties can be used in treating IBS as well. Not only does aloe vera reduce inflammation and heal irritated and damaged intestinal walls, but it also has a gentle laxative effect to help clean out your bowels. Another added benefit of aloe vera is that it inhibits the growth of yeast and malignant bacteria in the gut as well.
The debilitating discomfort of IBS has a tendency to sour your entire outlook on life and keep you on the sidelines. Get relief and get back in the game by making use of one or several of the 15 home remedies for IBS that we’ve laid out above. As always, be sure to add any questions, comments or successful IBS home remedies in the section provided below.
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