Diet and Health FAQ

Tagged As: Herbs For Ibs

Question:
I heard that the AMA has found Chinese herbs helpful in the case of Irritable bowel syndrome.  Anyone know specifically what herbs they were referring to?

Answer:
One thing you have to understand about Chinese herbs is that they are seldom, if ever, used alone. A typical herbal formula usually has at least 3 herbs and sometimes over 20.  Also, each person has to be given a different formula. While there are certain base formulas which are available over the counter you still need the guidance of someone who is knowledgeable in herbs in order to decide which one to use. You certainly cannot go by the information on the box!! I've been a licensed acupuncturist for fifteen years and have had some training in herbs. Although the terms of my license allow me to prescribe herbs I almost never do so myself. I prefer to refer people to practitioners who specialize more in the subject than I do. Saying Chinese herbs can be helpful is like saying Western Medicine can be helpful. Both statements are true but what's really key is who prescribes them and how. As with any product or service that you are buying...especially medicine.. you should ask the practitioner about her/his background. How long have they studied? Where? With whom? If the practitioner is Chinese/Korean/Japanese/Vietnamese ask them how much experience they have in dealing with westerners.  Westerners have grown up eating different foods and living in different climates so that not everything we develop can be treated the same way it can in Asia. For example, in the 60s I was living in a Buddhist monastery in Hong Kong. I got pretty sick and was taken to an herbalist who was reputed to be one of the best in the (then) colony. He prescribed herbs for me and I got so much worse that I couldn't believe it.  I showed the prescription to a western friend who was studying Chinese medicine. His reaction was that the formula was a great one for people who had grown up in a subtropical climate eating lots of rice and pork....i.e. people from South China.  I had grown up in the US and Europe eating meat and potatoes, bread, etc. I needed different herbs because I had a different constitution.  You should make sure that anyone you consult with understands working with westerners.   All of that said, yes, I suspect that Chinese or Japanese, or Vietnamese medicines might very well be helpful with IBS.