Chinese Herbal Medicine Effective for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Chinese herbal medicine effective for irritable bowel syndrome

An encapsulated formulation of seven Chinese herbs improves a range of symptoms in constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, an Australian study shows.

The NHMRC-funded prospective trial randomised 125 patients with IBS -C to placebo or a standardised extract of seven dried and powdered Chinese herbs traditionally used for constipation. Participants took the capsules before meals for eight weeks, and were followed for 16 weeks.

There was a “clinically significant” improvement in symptoms among those randomised to Chinese herbs, report the researchers who include A/Prof John Kellow, a gastroenterologist at Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital.

The authors say their findings warrant further Chinese herbal medicine studies, including in patients who suffer from diarrhoea-predominant or mixed IBS as well as the related disorder of functional constipation:

Efficacy of a Chinese Herbal Medicine in Providing Adequate Relief of Constipation-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background & Aims

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common chronic functional bowel disorder, with few treatment options. IBS affects 10%-20% of the population; as many as 58% of patients have constipation-predominant IBS (IBS – C). We evaluated efficacy and safety of a standardized, specifically formulated Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) preparation in treatment of patients with IBS – C.

Conclusions

In a prospective, controlled study, CHM reduced symptoms of IBS – C, increased bowel satisfaction and stool consistency, and reduced straining and hard lumpy stools, compared with placebo.

You can read the research here: http://www.cghjournal.org/article/S1542-3565(15)00846-0/abstract?cc=y=

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