**This article originally published in Prime Magazine Sept 2007**
By Jonathan Evans
Herbal Information Specialist /Business Representative for the Herbarium
Special to PRIME
The following reader's question came to me via e-mail:
Dear Jonathan,
I heard your radio show Saturday when you said there were natural products that can help IBS, but I couldn t catch the whole story, could you please tell me what I can use? Linda
Dear Linda,
IBS is defined as a chronic, relapsing gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and bloating with alteration in bowel habits.
IBS is highest in people of northern European descent and those suffering depression or anxiety. It is significantly lower in Asian and Hispanic populations. The best thing you can do to improve the situation is to change your diet. In most cases IBS can be helped enormously by avoiding dairy, sugar, refined and prepackaged foods. The Getting Started sheet, available at the HERBARIUM, has all the diet suggestions listed. I am not saying you have to give up milk and cheese forever, but it sure would be a good idea to abstain during a flare up and to reduce your intake of dairy to keep down the recurrence. Slippery Elm tea is very helpful to soothe the digestive tract, as is Aloe Vera juice or gel.
Some people get results using enteric coated peppermint oil capsules, and others have used a Dr. Christopher product called ANTSP.
Another important product to aid in managing IBS would be probiotics to help restore and maintain a good level of flora in the digestive tract. And, remember to baby your belly. That may mean eating baby or junior foods for a while, but so be it.
There is some research that indicates IBS sufferers have a deficiency in essential fatty acids. Consuming fish or flax oils can help with this problem. While we are on the subject, I need to tell all of you that taking one capsule of fish or flax oil a day is not really going to do a whole lot for IBS or any other problem you are trying to address. I know the bottles say one daily but it is just not enough. Figure it this way, three capsules only equal one teaspoon of oil. The daily recommendation is a tablespoon of oil. That s nine capsules folks. Most of you won't take that many, so either switch to an oil or take at least three caps a day for any benefit.
You may not like the suggestions I have given, but just remember the old saying, if you want to keep getting what you are getting, keep doing what you are doing. Jonathan
Dear Jonathan,
My son keeps getting cold sores. He has tried several products that claim to help, but he just keeps getting outbreaks . They are very painful. What else can he try? Barbara
Dear Barbara,
We have had very good results using a homeopathic cold sore ointment that contains Melissa oil, and taking lysine supplements. Lysine is an amino acid and people usually take 500-1000 mgs daily during the outbreak. Another product we have used for many years is Dr. Claytons HERP-EAZE. This herbal combination helps get rid of the sore and keeps it from coming back. Jonathan
Dear Jonathan,
I have been diagnosed with tendonitis, and can t take the NSAID the doctor prescribed. It is tearing up my stomach. Anything in your bag of tricks that can help? Mike
Dear Mike,
There are a couple of things I can suggest. BF&C is a product that can do wonders. It cuts down on the inflammation and the swelling, and can help heal the tissue.
MSM750 is another great product. This combination contains MSM which is a sulfur compound that works as an anti-inflammatory, and is excellent for the ligaments and tendons. It also contains a combination of herbs such as turmeric, Cats claw, and Boswellia that have been used as anti-inflammatories and pain relievers. This combination is very good for arthritis pain and inflammation and does not have the side effects of the prescription medicines.
MSM is not related to sulfa drugs, so do not worry about being allergic. Sulfa and sulfur are two different things.
Jonathan
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