Since 1997, April is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) awareness month.1
IBS is defined as a gut-brain interaction disorder,2 and as a functional somatic syndrome.3
Why?
Just half of IBS sufferers experience gastrointestinal symptoms exclusively.4
Anxiety and/or depression occurs in 40-80% of people with IBS5 which are associated with;
more severe symptoms
reduced quality of life
increased physical and mental distress6
For example, Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) a major pathophysiogenic factor in IBS, has a prominent role in controlling gastrointestinal motility.7
Homeopathy, with its potential to address mental, emotional and physical symptoms concurrently, is an increasingly popular treatment option for people suffering irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a complex multi-symptomatic disorder requiring interdisciplinary, gastroenterological and psychotherapeutic, treatments.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS for the mind found that homeopathy;
is frequently used by anxiety sufferers (2006)8
shows possibility of benefit in psychiatric complaints (2011)9
shows efficacy in premenstrual syndrome/dysphoric disorder compared with control (2020).10
An inexplicably retracted meta-analysis identified efficacy for homeopathy over fluoxetine in peri and post menopausal major depressive disorder (2020).11
Australians seek their registered homeopath most commonly for mental health, with digestive issues a top five reason to visit12 - gastroenterological complaints are commonly seen by professional homeopaths.13
STRESS not only restricts IBS recovery14 it increases harmful intestinal bacteria.15
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) - is present in over 70% of IBS sufferers.16
Out of balance fungal and bacterial communities are implicated, and differ between the four IBS subtypes.17
Gastrointestinal infection is identified in 30% of IBS cases.18
Alterations in microbiome diversity during individualized homeopathy treatment in multiple sclerosis19 and candida parapsilosis20 have been documented.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS and homeopathy in IBS show
inconclusive evidence for efficacy or safety (2019)21
very low certainty of evidence, but overall self-reported symptom improvement (2019)22
a little overall IBS symptom improvement after homeopathy (2020)23
But, as all pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic IBS studies are low quality certainty of evidence is low.24
There are important differences between the therapeutic approaches of individualized (classical) homeopathy and other methodologies using homeopathic medicine referred to as non-individualized homeopathy or NIHOM.25 Sadly, I must caution the reader to be especially wary of shameless sellers of proprietary aka invented aka unscientific ‘homeopathic protocols’ such as an ‘8 week radiation detox’ (wtf?!) which might actually harm you26 (and your wallet).
…
Individualized homeopathy treatment plans are highly personalized - so much so that people suffering the same condition often receive a different homeopathic medicine - the homeopath must be able to apply their coherent working knowledge of homeopathic principles27 in order to be able to assist people suffering chronic disease such as IBS.
Individualized homeopathy takes the whole person into account and has a scientific basis and support via SYSTEMATIC REVIEW for potential positive therapeutic effect.28
A 2023 double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled trial found individualized homeopathy acted significantly over control in IBS severity scores and IBS-QOL questionnaire total scores.29
KITCHEN TIPS to support you during an IBS flare-up:
Eat cooked foods only in a flare up or sensitive stomach. Why? It is so much easier to digest AND cooking, roasting and grilling increases the abundance of beneficial bacteria - fermented foods, like sauerkraut, have the highest amounts of antioxidants.30 31
Eat grass-fed, organic butter. Why? It contains anti-microbial fatty acids including butyric acid, which has strong anti-fungal effects. Coconut oil and butter are not only anti-microbial they also help heal the lining of the gut.32
Eat organic food Why? Researchers note huge increases in the incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases in the USA from 1974 when glyphosate (aka roundup) was introduced. Glyphosate is known to disrupt the endocrine system and the balance of gut bacteria, and it damages DNA.33 34 35
Consume homemade Kefir. Why? Probiotics generally do their job in the upper reaches GI tract only… kefir carries probiotic microbes all the way down through to your lower bowel (and is practically free & totally natural)! Regular consumption of kefir is associated with better digestion and tolerance to lactose and, kefir is anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic and a powerful antioxidant.36
Consume homemade sauerkraut. Why? Sauerkraut is a powerhouse of goodness and healing37 – three ingredients is all you need! 1x cabbage, 2 Tbsp salt, 1 Tbsp carraway seeds. Pound together to release juices (I use a ceramic bowl and plastic nutribullet tamper which makes it super quick and juicy) place in a wide mouth jar and press firmly (with tamper) until juices rise above the cabbage which needs to be at least 3cms from the top of the jar. Cover and keep at room temp for two days, then refrigerate. Start with a tsp of juice and build up from there. Â
Always, always avoid gluten! Dr. David Perlmutter writes excellently on this.
https://aboutibs.org/living-with-ibs/ibs-awareness-month/
Patel et al., 2021. Review of Treatment Options for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation and Chronic Idiopathic Constipation. International Journal of General Medicine. Apr 21;14:1457-1468. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33907450/
Prospero et al., 2021. Somatization in patients with predominant diarrhoea irritable bowel syndrome: the role of the intestinal barrier function and integrity. BMC Gastroenterology. May 22;21(1):235. Available from https://bmcgastroenterol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12876-021-01820-7
Hausteiner-Wiehle & Henningsen, 2014. Irritable bowel syndrome: relations with functional, mental, and somatoform disorders. World Journal of Gastroenterology. May 28;20(20):6024-30. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24876725/
Paré et al., 2006. Health-related QOL, work productivity, and health care resource utilization of subjects with irritable bowel syndrome: baseline results from LOGIC (Longitudinal Outcomes Study of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Canada), a naturalistic study. Clinical Therapeutics. Oct;28(10):1726-35; discussion 1710-1. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17157129/
Sabaté et al., 2020. Expectations of IBS patients concerning disease and healthcare providers: Results of a prospective survey among members of a French patients' association. Clinics and Research in Hepatology and Gastroenterology. Nov;44(6):961-967. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32205115/
Vahora et al., 2020. How Serotonin Level Fluctuation Affects the Effectiveness of Treatment in Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Cureus. Aug 19;12(8):e9871. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32968548/
Pilkington et al., 2006. Homeopathy for anxiety and anxiety disorders: a systematic review of the research. Homeopathy. Jul;95(3):151-62. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27397586/
Davidson et al., 2011. Homeopathic treatments in psychiatry: a systematic review of randomized placebo-controlled studies. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. Jun;72(6):795-805. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21733480/
Rotella et al., 2020. Homeopathic Remedies in Psychiatric Disorders: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. May/Jun;40(3):269-275. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32332462/
Salter et al., 2020. Sustaining homeopathy in Australia: Results and Analysis of the First National Practice Survey. Similia, The Australian Journal of Homeopathic Medicine. 32:1. The Australian Homeopathic Association. Hobart.
Peckham et al., 2014. Interim results of a randomised controlled trial of homeopathic treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. Homeopathy. Jul;103(3):172-7. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24931748/
Gamble, J. 2006. Mastering Homeopathy 2; The Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Wollongong, New South Wales. Karuna Publishing. Â
Dang & Kim., 2021. The effects of road transportation with or without homeopathic remedy supplementation on growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota, and serum cortisol and superoxide dismutase levels in growing pigs. Journal of Animal Science. Apr 1;99(4):skab077. Available from https://academic.oup.com/jas/article-abstract/99/4/skab077/6162474?redirectedFrom=fulltext
Ghoshal & Ghoshal., 2017. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and Other Intestinal Disorders. Gastroenterology Clinics of North America. Mar;46(1):103-120. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28164845/
Schwille-Kiuntke et al., 2011. Postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome: follow-up of a patient cohort of confirmed cases of bacterial infection with salmonella or Campylobacter. Neurogastroenterology and Motility. 30 August 2011. Available from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2982.2011.01779.x
Văcăraș et al., 2023. The role of multiple sclerosis therapies on the dynamic of human gut microbiota. J Neuroimmunol. May 15;378:578087. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37058852/
Penrose, S. 2021. Insomnia, Candida Parapsilosis and other Nosocomial Infections – A Levels of Health Case Analysis. Similia, The Australian Journal of Homeopathic Medicine. 34, 1; 41 - 46. Hobart. The Australian Homeopathic Association.
Peckham et al., 2019. Homeopathy for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews. Sep 4;9(9):CD009710. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31483486/
Pacheco et al., 2019. What do Cochrane systematic reviews say about the management of irritable bowel syndrome? Sao Paulo Medical Journal. May 8;137(1):82-91. Available from https://www.scielo.br/j/spmj/a/CKGfwTGgHcbvRtSn49qMRvx/?lang=enÂ
Billings et al., 2020. Potential Benefit With Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology: the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association. Sep 19:S1542-3565(20)31296-9. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32961342/
Scaciota et al., 2021. Interventions for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: A review of Cochrane systematic reviews. Arquivos de Gastroenteroliga. Jan-Mar;58(1):120-126. Available from https://www.scielo.br/j/ag/a/Ky4jb7vB5ntYRfZYZgJxX5d/?lang=en Â
Vithoulkas & Chabanov, 2022. The Evolution of Miasm Theory and Its Relevance to Homeopathic Prescribing. Homeopathy. Oct 28. Available from https://www.vithoulkas.com/research/scientific-papers/evolution-miasm-theory-and-its-relevance-homeopathic-prescribing
Gaertner et al., 2023. Bibliography of Homeopathic Intervention Studies (HOMIS) in Human Diseases. J Integr Complement Med. Jan;29(1):14-21. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/364144294_Bibliography_of_Homeopathic_Intervention_Studies_HOMIS_in_Human_Diseases
Hamre et al., 2023. Efficacy of homoeopathic treatment: Systematic review of meta-analyses of randomised placebo-controlled homoeopathy trials for any indication. Syst Rev. Oct 7;12(1):191. Available from: https://systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13643-023-02313-2#Abs1
Das et al., 2023. Efficacy of individualized homeopathic medicines in irritable bowel syndrome: A double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Explore (NY). Jul-Aug;19(4):519-527. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36307315/
Pérez-Burillo et al., 2018. Effect of Food Thermal Processing on the Composition of the Gut Microbiota. J Agric Food Chem. Oct 31;66(43):11500-11509. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30346155/
Pérez-Burillo et al., 2019. Effect of home cooking on the antioxidant capacity of vegetables: Relationship with Maillard reaction indicators. Food Res Int. 2019 Jul;121:514-523. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31108776/
https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/modern-diseases/how-to-restore-digestive-health/
Swanson et al., 2014. Genetically engineered crops, glyphosate and the deterioration of health in the United States of America. Journal of organic systems. Vol. 9. No. 2(2014). Available from: http://www.organic-systems.org/journal/92/abstracts/Swanson-et-al.html
Beecham & Seneff. 2015. The possible link between autism and glyphosate acting as a glycine mimetic – a review of evidence from the literature with analysis. J Mol. Genet. Med. 9:4. Available from: https://www.hilarispublisher.com/open-access/the-possible-link-between-autism-and-glyphosate-acting-as-glycine-mimetic-a-review-of-evidence-from-the-literature-with-analysis-1747-0862-1000187.pdf
Seneff, 2016. Glyphosate in Collagen: Widespread consequences. Wise Traditions Winter. 34:40. Journal of the Weston A Price Foundation. USA.Â
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6128568/
Thank you for this excellent article! I find the mind-gut connection particularly interesting.
[I would imagine that anyone who has consistent digestive problems develops mental/emotional (+social) symptoms too, and vice versa › the effect of fear and anxiety on the gut is well known and documented. a perfect combination for a vicious cycle]
I've been wondering for some time whether anyone is researching the link between mind and celiac plexus (aka solar plexus). If the activity in this part of the nervous system was studied as much as the brain ~ esp. in relation to mental-emotional stress ~ we might gain some fascinating insights.