IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, is a common condition affecting the digestive tract of 10-15% of Americans, but there is no cure. After diagnosis, you should begin to make lifestyle and dietary changes to control the IBS symptoms you experience.
Iberogast is an over-the-counter treatment that is marketed to help with symptoms of IBS. We are here to tell you that Iberogast can help and explain how it can help.
What Are The Symptoms Of IBS?
IBS presents differently in each person suffering from the condition. Common IBS symptoms and signs include abdominal distention, bloating, abdominal cramps or pain, and constipation, diarrhea or a mix of both. These symptoms are commonly worse after eating food and are made better by having a bowel movement.
About a third of people with IBS have constipation, with hard, or infrequent stools. They often have straining and a feeling of incomplete evacuation. Another third have predominantly diarrhea, with watery or loose stool and/or increased bowel frequency. The remaining third tend to alternate between constipation and diarrhea.
You may also experience trapped gas, excessive flatulence, or mucus in your stool. Nausea, fatigue, mood disorders, and urinary complaints also can occur in people with IBS.
Symptoms of IBS do not remain constant from day to day. There are trigger foods, such as alcohol, dairy, and caffeine, which can cause symptoms to flare. Stress and changes in mood may also influence frequency and severity of IBS symptoms.
What Is Iberogast?
Iberogast is described as a herbal medicinal product. It is designed to treat functional gastrointestinal disorders such as FD (functional dyspepsia) and IBS.
The product has been available to purchase for over 60 years. The manufacturers claim that it has been used in more than 30 countries to treat over 90 million patients.
The effects of Iberogast ingredients can be felt very rapidly. The symptoms of IBS can be relieved in as little as 5 to 10 minutes after ingestion. This is due to the liquid formulation allowing for rapid absorption into the body.
Iberogast is made of a “fantastic 9” herb blend of ingredients:
- Bitter candytuft (Iberis amara)
- Angelica root (Angelicae radix)
- Caraway fruit (Carvi fructis)
- Chamomile flowers (Matricariae flos)
- Milk thistle fruits (Cardui mariae fructus)
- Lemon balm leaves (Melissae folium)
- Celandine (Chelidonium herba)
- Peppermint leaves (Menthae piperitae folium)
- Licorice root (Liquiritiae radix)
The bitter candy tuft helps to keep your digestive tract moving along regularly. Angelica root relaxes the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract, relieving the painful spasms and cramps IBS sufferers experience. Caraway fruits, most commonly used as spice, have powerful anti-inflammatory effects.
- Related article: IBS Pain Relief
Chamomile flowers have long been used for their relaxing benefits and they can even relax your stomach! This helps the stomach’s motility and alleviates pain.
Milk thistle fruits have mucosal-protective properties which are primarily felt in the stomach.
This protects the stomach and liver from damage. Lemon balm leaves calm the stomach and eases the pain of cramps. Celandine helps to keep the digestive system moving smoothly.
Peppermint leaves relieve cramps too, as well as reducing bloating and gas. Licorice root is calming and relaxing on the stomach. This is great for IBS sufferers.
Will Iberogast Help IBS Symptoms?
Iberogast has been proven to relax the gastrointestinal tract muscles. This helps reduce fullness, bloating, and abdominal pains, cramps and spasms.
Iberogast can stimulate the intestinal muscles to help keep the digestive system moving and reduce pain.
A lot of the pain associated with IBS is believed to be caused by hypersensitive nerve stimuli in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.
Iberogast has been studied in pharmacological settings and proven to reduce nerve hyperactivity.
This reduces hypersensitivity and leads to less pain. Iberogast also has a number of anti-inflammatory properties that will assist in the reduction of pain levels.
Iberogast is also claimed to alleviate symptoms such as bloating, abdominal cramping, nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, and constipation.
There are a number of studies from across Europe and the United States that have proven the effectiveness of Iberogast on IBS symptoms. One such study was a double-blind study that compared Iberogast to a placebo control.
This study involved 203 participants with an IBS diagnosis who took Iberogast for 4 weeks. The group taking Iberogast reported significantly reduced abdominal pain and other IBS symptoms compared to the control group.
What Is The Correct Dosage Of Iberogast?
Iberogast is sold in liquid form and the dosage is specified in drops. The correct dosage will vary between children and adults.
The recommended amount is to be taken 3 times daily accompanied by a small amount of water. It is suggested that Iberogast is taken just before or with a meal.
Iberogast is said to taste slightly bitter but herbal. The drops should be combined with water, although if you find the flavor unpleasant you can combine them with juice, fruit teas, or herbal teas.
Iberogast can be used in children over the age of 3. Anyone over the age of 13 should take 20 drops mixed into a few tablespoons of water.
There is no real recommendation on how long you should take Iberogast. As with most medications and supplements, the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration should be used.
Check with your doctor, as they will be able to give you tailored advice concerning Iberogast intake and the ongoing management of your symptoms.
For other IBS related articles:
- Alternative Medicine Treatment for IBS
- IBS Constipation Medications
- Good Supplements for IBS
- SIBO Probiotics: Should You Take Them?
- How Activating the Vagus Nerve Helps IBS Symptoms
- Will Probiotics Help IBS Symptoms
- Will Digestive Enzymes Help IBS Symptoms?
- Will Metamucil Help IBS Symptoms?
- IBS and Motion Sickness Prevention Tips
