Irritable Bowel Syndrome(IBS) is a common disorder of the large intestine (colon) that leads to changes in bowel habits — constipation or diarrhea (loose stool), stomach cramps, gas and bloating. Some people with IBS experience both constipation and diarrhea alternately. It is a very commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal disorder that causes a great deal of discomfort and distress, but it does not cause permanent harm to the intestines.
Homeopathy being a highly advanced and holistic system of medicine offers a very reliable treatment for IBS without any side effects. As the cause for IBS varies from patient to patient, in some people it could develop after a bout of diarrhea caused by viral or bacterial infection; or due to some food sensitivity; while in some it can be associated with stress and anxiety; or an antibiotic overuse. Hence to treat it from the root the underlying basic cause of its origin needs to be addressed for long-term relief. So, homeopathic medicines can be a great option. They boost the body’s self-healing mechanism to fight back naturally. Homeopathic treatment when followed on a regular basis as guided by a homeopath can gradually alleviate the intensity and frequency of symptoms like irregular bowel movements, abdominal pain, cramping, bloating drastically by treating the chronicity of the complaint. Anti-diarrheal medications, laxatives, antidepressants and pain medications are thought to be a line of treatment in IBS in mainstream medicine which only treat the symptoms and leave side effects due to long term use.
Homeopathy restores gut biome
Gut biome refers to the microbes (bacteria, virus, fungi) residing in the human gut that have an important role in maintaining health. Persons with IBS may have altered gut microbes, both in respect of the type and amount resulting in gastric symptoms. Homeopathy plays a great role in restoring the gut biome to aid magnificent relief in gastric symptoms.
Homeopathy helps relieve stress and anxiety to manage IBS
There is a link between emotional well-being and the physical health of a person. Emotional stress and anxiety can affect physical health, especially gut health. Stress can alter gastrointestinal motility and disturb the harmony of the gut bacteria. IBS is also considered to be associated with stress and anxiety that can intensify the symptoms or increase the frequency of symptoms of IBS. In such cases, homeopathy plays an important role in managing stress and anxiety levels to reduce the frequency and intensity of symptoms.
Top 8 Homeopathic Medicines For IBS
The most prominent homeopathic medicines used symptomatically for IBS treatment include Nux Vomica, Aloe Socotrina, Lycopodium, Bryonia Alba, Alumina, Colocynth, Kali Phos and Argentum Nitricum.
1. Nux Vomica – Top Remedy For IBS With Constipation
Nux Vomica is the top natural medicine for IBS with constipation. The prominent symptom calling for its use is constipation with frequent ineffectual urge to pass stool. There is passage of a small quantity of stool or poop very frequently. There is constant urge to pass stool. Inspite of passing stool a number of times, there is dissatisfaction as if bowels are still not completely empty popularly known as a ‘never get done feeling’.
Abdomen pain lessens for a very short time after stool, but it renews soon after stool expulsion, along with an urge to pass stool again. When some peculiar food like spicy food, coffee, and alcoholic drinks worsens the condition, then Nux Vomica is the best choice. The worsening of condition after anger spells is also an important marker for using Nux Vomica.
When to use Nux Vomica?
This medicine can be used in cases of IBS with constipation when there is frequent ineffectual urge to pass stool with a sensation of incomplete bowel evacuation.
How to use Nux Vomica?
Nux Vomica 30 C can be used two to three times a day initially. When relief starts, the dose should be reduced gradually.
2. Aloe Socotrina – For Managing Loose Stool In IBS
Natural medicine Aloe Socotrina is one of the best remedies for managing diarrhea. The stool is loose and may be accompanied by passage of a large quantity of gas. The key indication to use it is an urge to pass stool soon after eating/drinking anything. There is urgency to pass stool, the person needs to literally rush to the toilet. Sometimes mucus may be expelled along with stool. Pain in the abdomen before and during stool occurs. The abdominal pain vanishes after passing stool. Aloe helps in regularising the intestinal movements since they are at an increased pace in patients with IBS.
When to use Aloe Socotrina?
This medicine is recommended to manage loose stool in IBS cases with desire to pass stool soon after eating/drinking and a marked urgency to pass stool.
How to use Aloe Socotrina?
A person may use Aloe Socotrina 30 C twice or thrice a day.
3. Lycopodium – For Excessive Gas And Bloating
Lycopodium is a natural medicine sourced from plant ‘club moss’. It is an important medicine to deal with excessive gas and bloating in IBS cases. The abdomen feels full and distended soon after eating anything even in small quantities. Gas and bloating are most marked in the lower abdomen. Worsening of complaints may occur in evening hours, especially between 4 pm to 8 pm. It is also a wonderful medicine to manage gastric issues occurring after eating certain specific foods, like beans, cabbage, onions, etc. Alteration between diarrhea and constipation is yet another indicator to use this remedy.
When to use Lycopodium?
Its use should be considered in cases where gas and bloating of the abdomen are the main concern of the sufferer.
How to use Lycopodium?
To begin with, one may take Lycopodium 30C twice a day. Higher potencies can be used as well but only under a homeopath’s supervision
4. Bryonia Alba – For Constipation With Hard, Dry Stool
Bryonia Alba is highly effective for constipation with dry, hard, large stool and a bloated abdomen. The stool is excessively dry as if burnt. Stool is passed with much difficulty. Burning in anus on passing stool may be observed. Headache from constipation is another indication for using Bryonia Alba.
When to use Bryonia Alba?
The most important feature to use it is constipation with dry, hard, large stool.
How to use Bryonia Alba?
It is advised to use Bryonia 30C two to three times a day.
5. Alumina – For Constipation With Skipped Days For Stool
Alumina can provide great help when there is constipation with the absence of the urge to pass stool for many days in a row. This results in missing days without stool. The intestines work at a very slow pace in cases needing this medicine. The stool remains in the rectum for many days without any urge to pass stool. When the urge occurs, the stool passes by putting strain. The stool in a few patients is hard while in others it is soft; passage of stool is difficult with much effort in both cases. Potatoes seem to be the most intolerable food for patients requiring natural homeopathic remedy Alumina.
When to use Alumina?
Its use is advised in cases of constipation with no urge for stool resulting in days without passing stool.
How to use Alumina?
Various potencies like 30C, 200C and 1M are available for this medicine. When self-prescribing as per the above indications, it is safe to use its 30C potency that can be taken one to two times a day. For using high potencies (like 200C, 1M), it is always advised to consult a homeopathic expert.
6. Colocynthis – To Manage Stomach Cramps in IBS
Colocynthis is a top medicine to relieve stomach cramps in IBS cases. In cases needing it, eating/ drinking even in the smallest quantity leads to cramping. Bending forward or putting pressure on the abdomen may provide relief. Loose stool may be present. Stools are watery, yellow, and frothy and attended with the passage of gas.
When to use Colocynthis?
It is the best choice of medicine to manage abdominal cramps in IBS cases.
How to use Colocynthis?
It is recommended to take Colocynth 30 C two to four times a day as per severity of symptoms. Once relief starts to appear, one to two doses a day of Colocynthis are sufficient.
7. Kali Phos – When Stress Worsens Gastric Problem
It is very clearly understood till date that stress plays a major role in making IBS symptoms worse, and controlling stress will automatically bring down intensity of gastric symptoms. So homeopathic medicines that help to manage stress can be prescribed in IBS cases if it is found to be the main culprit in any case of IBS. The top most remedy for this is Kali Phos. It is the most widely used remedy for stress and usually physician’s first choice of remedy in stress cases. Persons who are under a constant stressful state, always sad, worried, depressed or anxious, are ideal subjects to use this medicine. Most common complaints they face are loose stool and gas in the abdomen. The stool may have a foul smell and exhaustion leads to loose stool.
When to use Kali Phos?
This medicine can be given in cases where constant stress is affecting the gut health and worsening the IBS symptoms.
How to use Kali Phos?
6X is the most commonly used potency of this medicine. Kali Phos 6X can be taken three to four times a day.
8. Argentum Nitricum – For Diarrhea And Anxiety In IBS
Argentum Nitricum will best treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome with marked diarrhea in people with chronic anxiety, especially anticipatory anxiety. Anticipatory anxiety means anxiety arising from overthinking about events that are to take place in the future. Other than this, they may have anxiety every time they have to appear in public, crowds or in public meetings. The anxiety results in diarrhea with frequent stools. Such persons are impatient by nature and do everything in haste.
When to use Argentum Nitricum?
This medicine can be used for relief in cases where it is found that anxiety is what is making IBS symptoms worse (especially loose stool),
How to use Argentum Nitricum?
Argentum Nitricum can be used in low as well as high potencies. In low potencies like 30C, it can be used one or two times a day. Higher potencies like 200 C, 1M can be considered as well but these are always used in infrequent doses like once in a week, fifteen days, or sometimes once in a month depending on the intensity of symptoms. It is best to use high potencies after consulting a homeopathic physician.
Note One may take the above medicines for a month or two only in the recommended potency and dose. To continue beyond that, or to increase potency or dose it is advised to consult a homeopathic practitioner.
Causes Behind IBS
The exact cause of IBS is not known, and doctors call it a functional disorder of the colon (large intestine) because there is no sign of disease when the colon is examined. Certain factors tend to play a role in IBS as follows:
1. Problems with motility of intestinal muscles
The muscles in layers of intestines contract to move food through the gastrointestinal tract. It is suggested that in IBS either these contractions are stronger or these are weak. Stronger contractions cause diarrhea and weak contractions lead to constipation with dry, hard stool.
2. Hypersensitivity of nerves
As per several studies, it has been found that the nerves in the digestive tract may be hypersensitive which may affect bowel function and lead to more than normal discomfort from gas. In some cases, problems with the nerve communication between the brain and colon are what gives rise to IBS symptoms.
3. Imbalance or changes in gut microbes: Micro-organisms in the gut number about 100,000 trillion, Bacteria, fungi, viruses, protists that normally inhabit gut are in some specific composition that varies from person to person. When the balance between these microbes is disturbed or there occur changes in the normal gut microbes, it can give rise to IBS.
4. Infections
5. In some persons, IBS may arise after food poisoning or gastroenteritis
What Factors Trigger IBS?
The potential for abnormal function of the colon is always present in people with IBS. However, a trigger aggravates the symptoms. The most likely culprits that may enhance IBS symptoms are diet and emotional stress.
1. Stress and anxiety: In many cases, IBS symptoms are a result of high stress or anxiety levels though not caused by stress directly. Stress and anxiety make the gastric system hyperactive via an effect on the nerves.
2. Food: Several patients report that symptoms appear after consuming certain food products. These do not cause, but trigger IBS symptoms. Some common examples are dairy products like milk, wheat, citrus fruits, beans, etc.
How to Manage IBS with Lifestyle Changes
Few lifestyle tips that can make a difference in managing IBS are:
1. Managing Stress: Including meditation, deep breathing and yoga can help in calming the nervous system.
2. Regular Exercise: Exercising moderately daily for at least 30-45 minutes is very beneficial.
3. Maintaining Hydration: For a properly functioning digestive system, one should drink plenty of water throughout the day.
4. Follow a balanced diet: Try to identify and avoid the food items that trigger IBS, such as dairy, caffeine, gluten, high fat foods, etc.
5. Eat frequent but smaller quantity meals: Instead of having one large meal, take smaller but frequent meals to prevent overloading of stomach.
6. Sound sleep: Good sleep helps in managing stress quite well, and leads to relief in gastric symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can IBS lead to something serious?
No. IBS does not cause cancer, bleeding, weight loss, or permanent damage. However, symptoms can be chronic and significantly affect the quality of life.
2. How is IBS diagnosed?
IBS is diagnosed clinically using Rome IV criteria, which include:
— Repeated abdominal pain at least 1 day/week in the last 3 months
— Associated with 2 or more of these:
— Related to defecation
— Change in stool frequency
— Change in stool form
— Investigations are done only to rule out other diseases.
3. Is IBS related to food allergies?
Not exactly. IBS is not an allergy, but certain foods may intolerably increase bloating and gas and trigger the symptoms.
4. When should I see a doctor?
Seek immediate medical attention if you have:
— Significant weight loss
— Blood in stool
— Night-time symptoms
— Fever
— Severe or worsening pain
— Severe anaemia
These are the red flags and may indicate conditions other than IBS.
5. What are the types of IBS?
IBS is commonly classified into 4 types, IBS-C (IBS with
Constipation), IBS-D (IBS with Diarrhoea), IBS-M (With alternating constipation and diarrhoea), IBS-U (Unclassified Type).
6. Is IBS the same as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?
No, IBS is a functional disorder, while IBD (Crohn’s/Ulcerative colitis) is an organic inflammatory disease that can cause ulcers, bleeding, and structural damage.
7. Can hormonal changes affect IBS?
Yes. Many women notice aggravating IBS symptoms during menstruation, pregnancy, or hormonal fluctuations.
8. Are probiotics helpful in treating IBS?
Yes, probiotics bring relief in reducing gas and bloating, and bring stool regularity, though results may vary on a case-to-case basis.