Infusions to Treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS can affect anyone, but it’s typically more common in women. As it is such a painful condition, people who suffer from it need ways to treat irritable bowel syndrome. Its causes have yet to be fully identified, but it can have a detrimental effect on daily life for weeks or even months. If you are familiar with this affliction, we want to offer you a few natural remedies based on medicinal plants that should give you great relief.
Medicinal herbs are usually quite effective for treating an irritable bowel. However, if you have any concerns, do have a word with your GP about any of the infusions you’d like to try. All of the plants and herbs that we’re going to recommend are commonplace. You should be able to find them in your local health food shop and, if not, you’ll most certainly find them online. In terms of the amounts required, one teaspoon of any suggested herb will suffice for one cup of infusion. It’s entirely safe for you to drink two cups a day. To further enhance their medicinal properties, it’s best to avoid steel tea kettles for steeping. Ceramic, clay or porcelain are preferred. These materials interfere less with the active ingredients in the medicinal herbs.
Treat irritable bowel with medicinal herbs
The answer’s in anise
Popular in Asian cuisine, star anise has a lovely liquorice flavour. That makes it a pleasure to get benefit from its astounding ability to soothe a painful stomach or intestinal tract. Anise also reduces swelling and gas. What’s more, it’s an antispasmodic. One word of caution, however: if you’ve recently had diarrhoea, anise isn’t recommended. Because IBS tends to alternate between diarrhoea and constipation, you should take an anise remedy only if you’ve been having difficulty with hardened stools. If that’s the case, prepare this tea. Place a tablespoon of anise seeds in a cup of boiling water and drink it with breakfast and then again at midday.
Chamomile calms
Chamomile flowers make an unbeatable infusion for successfully calming the symptoms of an irritable bowel. These blooms are perfect for reducing inflammation and encouraging relaxation. They are renowned for their antibacterial properties, as well. Preparation is simple. Just add a teaspoon of chamomile flowers to a cup of boiling water and let steep for 10 minutes. Help yourself to two cups each day.
Mint’s mint
If you’re looking for an antispasmodic, mint is the word. This herb belongs to the royal family – the carminative plants, all of which are powerful relaxants and sedatives. They work so well because once they make their way to the digestive system, they immediately go to work on the stomach and intestines to reduce inflammation and pain whilst promoting relaxation. When you need to relieve the tension in your body, make yourself a cuppa. Just boil a cup of water, add a tablespoon of dried mint and let it steep for a few minutes. If you must sweeten your tea, avoid using sugar. We’d recommend stevia.
The wisdom of sage
Remember how we warned you against drinking anise tea if you’ve had diarrhoea? Well, it’s just the opposite advice for sage. Turn to this heroic herb if you’re feeling a bit runny, dizzy or nauseated – all fairly common symptoms with irritable bowel syndrome. The natural astringency of this plant will be a great help to you. It also has a wonderful sedative effect to help you relax. So, if you’re all wound up and feeling sick to your stomach, sip a sage infusion. Pop 10 grams of sage into three cups of boiling water and let it steep for 5 minutes. You can safely enjoy 3 cups a day.
Thyme is on your side
Another highly effective but deliciously different option if you’re suffering from IBS is thyme. Not only will this medicinal pant aid digestion, but it will also palliate pain and reduce inflammation. It’s great for removing toxins and bacteria from the intestines. Boil a cup of water and add a teaspoon of thyme to it. Leave it to steep for a few minutes and then sip it. Take your thyme and savour the flavour of this heavenly herb. We reckon you’ll feel much better by the time you finish drinking it.
It’s all fenugreek to me
Fenugreek seeds are fantastic for addressing diseases of the digestive system. You couldn’t ask for better intestinal protection. They’re loaded with vitamin B, which is outstanding for calming anxiety. It also alleviates pain and regulates the bowels – especially those that are affected by constipation.
You only need to drink one cup of fenugreek infusion every day. Add a tablespoon of fenugreek seeds to a cup of water. Bring it to the boil, then steep for 5 minutes. Strain the tea through a colander to separate the seeds from the liquid and slowly sip it for great relief.
