Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the second largest reason people miss work, and is the most common gastrointestinal disorder. Common symptoms include abdominal cramping, nausea, intestinal gas, diarrhea, constipation, and alternating stools. It is important to note that no structural abnormalities are present. Below is a case study seen in our clinic in Oakland, California.
CASE 1
Helen is a 50-year old minister who had chronic constipation, bloating and intestinal gas. She was underweight. As this problem had persisted her whole life, her GI specialist recommended surgery. Despite eating plenty of fruits and daily exercise, Helen was unable to go to the bathroom more than twice per week, often requiring an enema. At the point that she consulted with me she was taking: Vitamin C, bioflavonoids, an eye supplement with bilberry and lutein, a bone building supplement, ipriflavone, alpha-lipoic acid, curcumin, CoQ-10, milk thistle, digestive enzymes, ginkgo, bacterial cultures, colostrum, an adrenal supplement, reishi, an herbal cleanse, aloe vera, black cohosh, vitex, dandelion, red clover, American ginseng, a fish protein supplement, maiitake mushroom, iron, HCL, homeopathic lycopodium, seaweed tablets, blue green algae, chlorella, spirulina, flaxseed oil, and borage oil. Helen’s pulse was weak in the first and third positions, and wiry in the middle position. Her tongue was normal color, dry, and flabby.
Initially I recommended Aloe 22 1-2 capsules TID. I also recommended she stop all supplements except for aloe vera and flax oil, which have laxative effects. In addition, I recommended magnesium aspartate 400mg. After two weeks there was little change, so I suggested she try chewing the Aloe 22. I also recommended Chzyme 1-2 capsules with meals and as needed to reduce bloating and gas, and increase the magnesium aspartate to 800mg per day. I also recommended a tea consisting of Oryza sprout (gu ya), Cistanche (rou cong rong), flax (huo ma ren), immature citrus (qing pi), red peony (chi Shao), white peony (bai shao), magnolia bark (huo po), cardamon (sha ren), aurantium (zhi shi). As Helen was a vegetarian, I urged her to try to eat as much fish as possible, and to go for two weeks without any soy products. This new regime was very successful, and after two weeks she was able to have bowel movements without an enema. In addition, she had much less intestinal gas and bloating. After one month, we cut down the herbal tea to half a cup per day. Eventually she rarely needed the tea. She continued taking the Aloe 22 and Chzyme as needed.
DISCUSSION
Helen’s case was unusual in that she was taking an extreme number of supplements, which I believed was compromising the absorption. I therefore suggested she go off everything, which helped her body get back into balance. Some of the supplements such as the algae, chlorella, and Spirulina could have actually been contributing to her indigestion and colostrum can cause constipation. Instead of taking seaweed tablets, I encouraged her to take seaweed as a food. Helen seemed to get added benefit from chewing the Aloe 22, which has laxative effects and a number of Qi moving herbs. The tea I recommended was designed to moisten her stool, and move Qi. Magnesium has laxative effects and helps reduce muscle contractions.
CASE 2
Marjorie was a 57-year-old housewife with a life long history of IBS. Her main symptoms being diarrhea, and severe pain, which sometimes resulted in hospitalization. She also complained of panic attacks, feeling cold, and headaches. Her pulse was slightly wiry, her tongue dry. Initially, we recommended Source QI 3 capsules TID with ginger or cinnamon tea, increased to 3 QID after one week. After two weeks, Marjorie reported feeling warmer, more energetic, and a reduction in diarrhea. She complained of neck pain, hip pain and poor sleep. Her pulse was unchanged and her tongue was darker. At this point we added Ease 2 (chai hu gui zhi wan); 2 capsules QID. After a month, all symptoms were ninety percent improved. Marjorie went off the Ease 2 and maintained on the Source QI, 3 capsules TID. As she had more energy Marjorie began to take classes at a nearby college, and started to exercise and garden more.
DISCUSSION
Source Qi was selected as it contains strong herbs to tonify the spleen and stop diarrhea. A lifetime of worry and diarrhea weakened her spleen so that we felt that this was an appropriate long-term formula. Ease 2 was recommended short term to help invigorate liver qi and at the same time tonify spleen, release shoulder neck tension and relax her nervous system.
CASE 3
Steve was a contractor recently diagnosed with IBS. His main symptoms were gas, bloating, and cramping. A friend had suggested acidophilus, and that had not helped. Steve’s pulse was wiry and his pulse had a yellow coating. We suggested to Steve that he reduce coffee and drinking alcohol. He was not open to other dietary changes as he was single and didn’t cook. We recommended Shu Gan 2 capsules QID and Quiet Digestion 2 capsules QID along with peppermint or chamomile tea to be brought as a thermos to work. Within 2 weeks Steve had almost totally resolved all symptoms. He maintained on the herbs another month, and then felt he did not need herbs.
DISCUSSION
Steve was very active and responded quickly to the herbs. No doubt reducing coffee and alcohol helped his digestion. Shu Gan invigorates Qi and Quiet Digestion reduces dampness and food stagnation.
CASE 4
Daisy was a forty-four-year-old executive who complained of chronic constipation for at least twenty years. She had tried numerous therapies including acupuncture, nutritional counseling, and NAET, all made a slight improvement however she was only able to go to the bathroom completely after having Senna tea, which she reluctantly took once or twice per week. Daisy insisted she got plenty of exercise and ate plenty of fruits and vegetables; she ate prunes daily. Her pulse was thin and slow and her tongue was dry. Figuring her constipation was due to deficiency of Qi and blood I recommended Eight Treasures 2 capsules TID, and Aloe 22 2 capsules TID. I also recommended 1-3 tbsp. of freshly ground flaxseeds to be taken with oatmeal in the mourning. She was counseled to slowly reduce the senna tea, not to go off it cold turkey. Two weeks later Daisy returned. She was very happy as she was starting to have more regular bowel movements. Daisy remained a client for several months. During this time we gradually increased the Eight Treasures and reduced the Aloe 22; she was weaned off the senna.
REV 2022