Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a combination of discomfort in the stomach and/or pain and trouble with bowel movements – either going too many times or less often than normal, or having a different kind of stool. IBS is also called spastic colon and mucous colitis, and is a gastrointestinal disorder.
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Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
The most common symptoms of IBS include:
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Constipation alternating with diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Bloating
- Gas
- Nausea
- Headache
- A belly that sticks out
- Harder or looser stools than normal
- Fatigue
- Mucus in the stools
- Depression
- Fatigue
If you’re a woman and around the age of 20, then you’re more susceptible to IBS than any others. Although the exact causes of IBS are not known, it has been found that feelings of nervousness, anger, frustration, or stress may up the incidence of IBS. Consuming cruciferous vegetables, dairy products, raw fruits, coffee, are all known to exacerbate the problem.
Home remedies for irritable bowel syndrome
There is no known cure for IBS. However, the symptoms can be managed with a few tried and tested home remedies for irritable bowel syndrome. Take a look:
1. Bananas
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Bananas are extremely nutritious, which help relieve symptoms of IBS to a great extent. It contains soluble fiber that helps absorb liquid in the intestines. Also, the potassium in it helps relieve gas and bloating.
Remedies
- Consume 1-2 bananas every day to maintain a healthy digestive system, while also preventing IBS.
- If you’re suffering from IBS-induced diarrhea, use this remedy. Mash 1 ripe banana in a clean bowl, so that there are no lumps or chunks in it. To this, add 1 teaspoon of tamarind pulp and a pinch of salt. Mix well and consume this twice a day till the diarrhea stops.
2. Cabbage juice
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Cabbage juice is known to help treat symptoms of IBS effectively, especially constipation. Raw cabbage juice contains chlorine and sulfur, both of which help cleanse mucus membranes of the intestinal tract and stomach. It also possesses mild laxative effect that helps make your bowel movement soft and easy, while also keeping your body hydrated.
Remedy
- Wash and chop a fresh cabbage into small pieces. Blitz them in a juicer or a blender to prepare fresh cabbage juice. Drink half a glass of this juice at least three times every day for relief from IBS symptoms.
3. Carrots
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Carrots are rich in pectin, a nutrient that helps prevent symptoms of IBS successfully. It also helps put a stop to constipation and diarrhea, two of the most common symptoms of IBS.
Remedies
- Put a few carrots in a juice and extract its juice. To this, add a few drops of lemon juice and a bit of honey and stir. Drink this several times every day till you see improvement in your condition.
- Cook a few small carrots till they’re soft. Add them to a blender and blitz till you get a purée. Add a pinch of salt to it and stir well. Consume half a cup of this carrot purée several times a day for relief from IBS symptoms.
Tip: Eating raw carrots is known to cause stomach pain. So avoid it.
4. Chamomile
Chamomile possesses anti-spasmodic property along with being a rich source of tannins, both of which helps provide relief from IBS symptoms like diarrhea. Additionally, it also helps bring down any inflammation in the intestines, while also helping relieve abdominal spasms.
Remedy
- To 1 cup of boiling water, add 2 teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers and cover it with a lid. Let it steep for about 15 minutes, before straining it. Add a few drops of lemon juice to this and drink it thrice a day to find relief.
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5. Fennel seeds
Fennel seeds help relieve intestinal spasms and bloating, two of the most common symptoms associated with IBS. Additionally, fennel helps eliminate fats from the digestive system, thus curbing the over-production of mucus in the intestine that contributes to IBS.
Remedies
- Dry roast a few tablespoons of fennel seeds and grind them into a fine powder. Consume half a teaspoon of this fennel seeds powder with warm water every day to find relief from IBS symptoms.
- Add 1 teaspoon of crushed fennel seeds to 1 cup of boiling water and cover it with a lid. Let it steep for 10 minutes, before straining it. Drink this tea twice a day to prevent as well as help reduce IBS symptoms.
6. Flaxseed
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Flaxseed is an amazing source of dietary fiber that helps in treating IBS-induced diarrhea and constipation. Additionally, it is also a good source of omega-3 essential fatty acids that help support the digestive and immune systems.
Remedies
- Consume 1 tablespoon freshly ground flaxseed with 1 cup of water every day for relief from IBS symptoms.
- Add 1 tablespoon of flaxseed to 1 glass of water and let it rest for 3 hours. Then, drink this water every day before going to bed. This helps promote smooth bowel movements.
- To 1 cup of boiling water, add 1 teaspoon of flaxseed and cover it with a lid. Let it steep for 10 minutes, before drinking this herbal tea. Do this every night before going to bed.
7. Ginger
Ginger possesses anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation in the intestines, while also helping relax the intestinal muscles. Also, it helps reduce gas and bloating, thus making it ideal in treating symptoms of IBS.
Remedies
- Grate half a teaspoon of fresh ginger and add it to 1 cup of hot water. Cover it with a lid and let it steep for 10 minutes. Strain it and add some honey for taste. Drink this ginger tea twice a day to helps ease cramps and abdominal pain.
- Grate a small piece of ginger and add 1 teaspoon of honey to it. Consume it before having lunch and dinner to help treat diarrhea, while also helping improve your digestive process.
8. Oat bran
Oat bran adds the much-needed fiber to your body, thus helping reduce the symptoms of IBS. Regular consumption of oat bran helps make stools soft and ease its passage through the system. Additionally, it contains protein, calcium, iron, phosphorus, riboflavin, magnesium, zinc, and antioxidants.
Remedies
- Add 1 tablespoon of oat bran to your daily breakfast cereal every day.
- Add 1 part oat bran to 2 parts of water and cook it for a few minutes. Once cooked, consume it like you do oatmeal.
- Add 1 tablespoon of oat bran and enough yogurt and consume it. Salads and smoothies are other options to consume oat bran.
9. Peppermint
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Peppermint is another home remedy that helps in controlling bloating, diarrhea, and cramping caused by IBS. It contains menthol oil, that is known to possess anti-spasmodic effect on the muscles of the digestive tract. It helps in relieving pain caused by wind, intestinal spasms, and bloating. Additionally, peppermint helps the food to pass through the stomach easily.
Remedies
- Add 1 teaspoon of dried peppermint to 1 cup of boiling water and cover it with a lid. Let it steep for 10 minutes, and then drink this tea twice a day for relief.
- To a quarter cup of warm water, add 2 drops of peppermint oil. Drink this thrice a day till your condition improves.
Tip: Do not consume peppermint in excess as it could cause loss of appetite, nausea, and nervous system disorders.
10. Yogurt
Yogurt contains live cultures that are known to be quite effective in treating IBS-related diarrhea. These are nothing but gut-friendly bacteria that provide a line the intestinal walls with a layer of protection and help in generating lactic acid to flush out the any toxins in the body.
Remedies
- Consume plain yogurt as it is, or even make a smoothie using plain yogurt. Consume this several times a day till you see improvement in your condition.
- In a clean bowl, mix together half a teaspoon of Isabgol and 1 cup of plain yogurt. Consume this 1 hour after your meals. Repeat this remedy every day till you see improvement.
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Additional tips
- Manage your stress levels as best you can, through meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises, because it’s one of the major factors that triggers IBS.
- Try and avoid anxiety-inducing circumstances. Even if you can’t, learn how to manage yourself.
- Go easy on your intestines. Keep away from fried, spicy, fatty foods, along with dairy products, meats, and oils.
- Avoid caffeine as it tends to worsen IBS by irritating the lining of your intestines.
- Cruciferous vegetables cause flatulence and bloating. So avoid them.
- Don’t chew/suck on candies or foods with artificial sweeteners.
- Quit smoking as the nicotine tends to aggravate IBS symptoms.
- Include foods with high fiber content in your diet like apples, oatmeal, beans, strawberries, and grapefruit.
- Another way to include more fiber in your diet is to use Isabgol or psyllium supplements. If you do for these, be sure to drink lots of water. Else, the situation just worsens, making your constipation bad.
- Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water every day to keep yourself hydrated as well as keep your bowel movements smooth.
- Instead of 3 big meals, choose 5-6 smaller meals every day, as too much food intake can over-stimulate your digestive system.
These are all the amazingly effective home remedies for irritable bowel syndrome. For more updates about health tips and fitness secrets, subscribe to our newsletter today!
Featured image source: Pixabay, under Creative Commons License
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