Remedies
These are mainly remedies that Practitioners would use rather than ‘off-the-shelf’ tablets found in a Health Food shop. Although it is difficult to generalise what will work for everyone, I have listed an explanation specific for each condition.
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition in which the rhythmic muscular contractions of the gut become irregular and uncoordinated.
Symptoms include: alternating constipation and diarrhoea, sometimes bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort and mucus. Emotional stress can aggravate the symptoms, as can wheat consumption. Sometimes the patient has general lactose intolerance or, specifically, an intolerance to cow’s milk and cheese.
Physical digestive disorders must be ruled out before the doctor can make a firm diagnosis of IBS.
Remedies
- COLIT. CAPSULES: a combination of herbs to help soothe and regulate the gut between constipation and diarrhoea. Is mildly pain-relieving.
- IBS TINCTURE: helps to break down gas, helps to relieve bloating spasm and pain.
- BIOKULT: developed by a specialist group of doctors, nutritionists and scientist, this is a unique probiotic blend of good bacteria. It contains 14 strains of good bacteria and is designed to help the general immune system and digestion. (This is especially recommended for those who have taken repeated courses of antibiotics and for those who suffer with food intolerance.)
Contraindications
- Do not take these remedies if pregnant or nursing
- Take any medication separately
- Do not use more than the standard amount alongside heart drugs, steroids or diuretics
CONSTIPATION
Constipation is the result of waste material moving too slowly through the large bowel, resulting in infrequent, incomplete and sometimes painful elimination. It can give rise to many different ailments: diverticulitis, haemorrhoids, hernia, indigestion, gas, fatigue, bad breath, insomnia are but a few.
In some cases constipation arises from insufficient fibre and fluids in the diet. Other causative factors: lack of exercise, advanced age, muscle disorders, structural abnormalities.
There are several types of herbal laxatives.
Bulking agents, which add bulk to the stool, soften it and make it easier to pass. These need to be taken with plenty of water and often do not help with chronic constipation.
Stimulant laxatives cause the muscles in the bowel to relax and contract and move food through the intestines and bowel faster. If the bowel is full of gas, it will also expel it faster. Therefore it is preferable to take any remedies that help stimulate in combination with remedies for gas or spasm.
Bile Flow remedies work through releasing bile from the liver into the intestines. Bile contains and clears cholesterol from the liver, a fatty substance that helps lubricate the intestines.
Remedies
- Bulking: Psyllium husks are a soothing bulking agent that may help to maintain regularity of the bowel in a gentle way. Help clear toxicity from the colon but need to be taken with plenty of water.
- Stimulant: Cascara Compound is a mild herbal blend for sluggish bowels. Based on Dr Christopher’s widely- known formula. The prime ingredient is cascara bark, with rhubarb root, supported by barberry bark, fennel, wild yam, ginger and cayenne.
- CoTon: a stronger herbal laxative, also based on Dr Christopher’s formula for those whose bowels work less than every three or four days.
- Cape Aloe: for occasional use with chronic constipation. It hydrates, stimulates and helps move trapped gas but contains a small amount of senna with other herbal ingredients which should not be used for prolonged periods of time.
- Bile Flow: digestive tincture. A specific, gentle blend of herbs including dandelion, artichoke, rhubarb, ginger and cinnamon, to help general digestion and regularity.
- BIOKULT: developed by a specialist group of doctors, nutritionists and scientist, this is a unique probiotic blend of good bacteria. It contains 14 strains of good bacteria and is designed to help the general immune system and digestion. (This is especially recommended for those who have taken repeated courses of antibiotics and for those who suffer with food intolerance.)
Contraindications
- Do not take these remedies if pregnant or nursing
- Take any medication separately
- Do not use more than the standard amount alongside heart drugs, steroids or diuretics
DIARRHOEA
Diarrhoea is an increase in the fluidity and frequency of bowel movements. It may accompany cramping, nausea, vomiting, thirst or fever. Chronic diarrhoea requires medical attention and diagnosis. Disorders that can cause diarrhoea include food intolerance or allergy, gallbladder or pancreatic disease and IBS.
REMEDIES
- Muc O: a blend of demulcent and astringent herbs to tone, soothe the bowel and regulate fluid balance.
- Psyllium Husks: a soothing bulking agent that may help to maintain regularity of the bowel in a gentle way. Help clear toxicity from the colon but need to be taken with plenty of water.
- BIOKULT: developed by a specialist group of doctors, nutritionists and scientist, this is a unique probiotic blend of good bacteria. It contains 14 strains of good bacteria and is designed to help the general immune system and digestion. (This is especially recommended for those who have taken repeated courses of antibiotics and for those who suffer with food intolerance.)
Contraindications
- Do not take these remedies if pregnant or nursing
- Take any medication separately
- Do not use more than the standard amount alongside heart drugs, steroids or diuretics