Complementary therapies for irritable bowel syndrome
21 February 2003
The best evidence for complementary therapy to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) comes from an Australian study showing Chinese herbal medicine is effective in relieving symptoms, a systematic review has found.
But the study raises questions about which people with IBS would most likely benefit from Chinese herbal medicine, or why it appears to work.
The reviewers looked at evidence for therapies including acidophilus, acupuncture, aloe, bacterial overgrowth, biofeedback hypnotherapy, Chinese medicine, colonic irrigation, diet, lactobacillus, peppermint oil and probiotics.
They expressed 'guarded optimism' for the efficacy of psychological therapy and Chinese medicine, but added that no IBS therapy could be considered well supported by existing literature (Archives of Internal Medicine 2003; 163: 265-74).
Elimination diets were reasonable when a clear trigger was seen, but they were difficult and could cause nutritional problems, the reviewers said.
A modest benefit was seen with peppermint oil, but all studies involving peppermint oil were quite short, so they should be interpreted with caution.
While ginger has been used to control nausea and vomiting, it has not been studied for its efficacy in IBS.
The use of lactase had not been shown to be effective, and although altering intestinal flora was appealing, studies did not support the routine use of probiotics in people with IBS.
The effects of aromatherapy, Candida, enemas, herbs, massage, meditation, reflexology, supplements and vitamins could not be evaluated.
Last Reviewed: 24 February 2003
- 1. Medical Observer Weekly 21/02/03
