Natural health solution for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

I have ongoing problems due to irritable bowel syndrome. 

I always look pregnant (I am in my mid-50, which is very embarrassing), and feel very uncomfortable almost all of the time. I can’t wear anything with a waistband, even if it is elasticated, since this makes it worse and causes terrible pain and bloating. What do you advise?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of the conditions where establishing which foods are triggers is crucial to managing the symptoms. Cutting back on trigger foods isn’t enough – you will need to eliminate them completely from your diet once you have established which are problematic.

The most effective approach is to keep a food diary and record everything that you take (medications included) and keep a note of any symptom flare-ups — headaches, skin rashes, constipation, diarrhoea, cramps, bloating, wind, nausea, fatigue, etc. You can also note down any foods that seem to make you feel better or cause a significant reduction in symptoms.

Triphala is a well-known Ayurvedic formula prescribed for regulating and toning the bowel. A mixture of the three fruits, amla, haritaki, and bibhitaki, it is used for many digestive disorders. Pukka Herbs’ Triphala Plus is available from health stores — 90 capsules cost €14.95.

Aloe vera has been used successfully in medical trials to treat IBS, and is an excellent treatment for intestinal disorders as it helps to soothe and heal the mucous membranes in the gut. Aloe Pura’s digestive aloe vera blend, containing peppermint oil and digestive enzymes, is available from health stores — 500ml costs €12.34.

Rebalancing the intestinal flora through a quality probiotic or preparing lacto-fermented foods such as kefir, sauerkraut, kombucha, pickles, and the like will also help. Take it easy to begin with, and gradually increase your intake of such foods.

There are many great books and websites regarding lacto-fermentation.

I work as a baker, have done for the past 24 years, and have had trouble with varicose veins in my legs since I was in my early 20s.

I’ve undergone multiple surgeries to try and correct the problem, but they keep coming back. There is no family history of varicose veins, even though I have been told by doctors that this is a hereditary issue. The veins cause me a great deal of pain, and I am often awake at night because of this. What natural treatments do you recommend?

Your job is certainly not helping with your vascular issues. Jobs which require extended periods of standing in one place are often at the root of varicose veins. Other risk factors include smoking, stress, sedentary lifestyles, and excess weight. There are exercises that would have been worth knowing at the beginning of your career to prevent or minimise these issues, however, they will still be of some help to you now. Lying on a flat surface (floor, bed, or sofa) with your bottom right against the wall and your legs at right angles to your torso will help to balance out the effects of being on your feet all day. This can also help reduce the painful, heavy sensation in your feet and legs. The other important advice is to avoid crossing your legs or feet since this compresses the veins and compromises blood flow.

The herbs that are recommended to help treat and prevent varicose veins (and associated issues, such as haemorrhoids) are horse chestnut, butcher’s broom, and witch hazel. Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) works by restoring tone and elasticity to the vein systems; Butcher’s Broom (Ruscus aculeatus) helps to prevent the swelling of blood vessels; Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is used to help shrink bulging veins.

You can find internal and external preparations utilising these herbs in your local health stores. Solgar and A. Vogel both have internal formulations based on horse chestnut with supporting herbs, while Bional and A. Vogel have gel and cream products for direct application. Witch hazel is available from pharmacies and health stores.