Herbal Medicine for IBS

The use of herbal medicines for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome is popular. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine is a common practice in the East, and some clinical trials show a benefit of herbal medicines for symptomatic treatment of this condition.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common type of gastrointestinal disorders. About 10 to 20% of Western adults experience symptoms with IBS.1 The disorder is characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort for at least 12 weeks, which is relieved by defecation. It is associated with a change in stool frequency (constipation) and/or stool consistency (diarrhea). The pathophysiology of IBS is not well understood. There is no cure and treatment for symptom relief. Available treatments are helpful in a small proportion of patients. Herbal medicines have been used in many countries, but controlled data are lacking.

One such herbal medicine is STW 5. STW 5 contains bitter candytuft plant (a.k.a. clown’s mustard; Iberis amara L., Brassicaceae), German chamomile flower (Matricaria recutita L., Asteraceae), peppermint leaves (Mentha x piperita L., Lamiaceae), caraway fruit (Carum carvi L., Apiaceae), licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Fabaceae), lemon balm leaves (Melissa officinalis L., Lamiaceae), celandine herb (i.e., aerial parts of Chelidonium majus L., Papaveraceae), angelica root and rhizome (Angelica archangelica L., Apiaceae), and milk thistle fruit (Silybum marianum [L.] Gaertn. Asteraceae).

This multi-ingredient herbal combination has been found safe and effective for treating symptoms of IBS. Previously, a Chinese herbal formulation has been shown to be effective in treating patients with IBS.