Hello all,

An exciting new Natural Health radio show on a local radio network here in Ireland is in its second month now and is successfully generating allot of public interest. Each week i cover a common health condition and its treatment protocol specific to Nutrition and Herbal Medicine.

Id like to thank everybody for their emails and texts to the show and i promise to try my best to cover all your queries on future shows.

If you would like to tune in live its on every Wednesday from 11.00 to 11.30am GMT on Ocean FM. Ocean FM live online

Soon there will be a podcast archive available form www.westernherbalmedicine.com so you can listen to the vital information covered on all previous shows anywhere anytime. As requested i have posted information on last weeks topic below.

In health

Gabriel

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the most common gastrointestinal disorder and represents thirty to fifty percent of all referrals to gastroenterologists (doctor specializing in the digestive system).

The condition is characterized by a combination of the following: abdominal pain or distension, altered bowel function – constipation or diarrhea, flatulence, nausea and varying degrees of anxiety or depression. Currently the cause is unknown but the fact that symptoms may be worse during or just before a menstrual period or during times of stress suggests there is a hormonal link. Research suggests that there could be an infectious cause. A dietary link is also a major focus of research at the minute. I believe that its probably a mixture of all of the above.

Thankfully Herbal Medicine has very effective treatment for people with IBS.

Globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus)

Artichoke leaf extract has a substantial benefit in IBS. After a 2 months treatment period there can be up to a 27% reduction in incidents of IBS. A normalization of bowel function is also experienced. The leaf extract also successfully treats reflux and heartburn.

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)

The volatile oil of the leaf is used. Treatment with the oil for 4 weeks significantly improves diarrhea, abdominal bloating, constipation, lower abdomen pain, pain on defecation, feeling of incomplete evacuation and difficulty on evacuation.

Psyllium (Plantago ovata)

The send is the part used. Used as a beneficial form of fiber when specifically treating IBS characterised by constipation. It does not have a significant effect on abdominal pain however.

Other considerations:

Stress

Take measures to reduce the amount of unnecessary stress in your life. Meditate, exercise, get a massage etc.

Probiotics

Probiotics are the beneficial intestinal flora, found naturally in a good quality yogurt or taken in supplement form. There is growing suspicion that IBS could be associated with intestinal flora. Clinical trials using probiotics in the treatment of IBS are producing promising results. Use a probiotic preparation with ‘Lactobacillus plantarum’ as one of the constituents.

Gluten sensitivity

Ask you GP to test for gluten sensitivity (it’s a simple blood test for the presence of anti-gliadin antibody). If positive omit gluten from diet for a number of weeks to access improvement

Omit or largely reduce processed foods from your diet.