Slippery Elm: Soothing Solution

If I had irritable bowel syndrome and had only one herb to choose, I would have to choose slippery elm (Ulmus fulva). Slippery elm is an herb derived from the inner bark of the elm tree and is a very mucilaginous (literally, slippery) herb. Similar to marshmallow in its effects, these two can be used in place of each other. Slippery elm, marshmallow, dong quai, and wild yam all offer very soothing and muscle-relaxing effects to the body, which help with colitis by soothing irritated tissues and relaxing muscle contractions. You can add some ginger capsules or tea to support digestive trouble and nausea, and lobelia in small quantities for a relaxing effect.

Irritating Causes

Scientists are finding that our nervous system has direct influence on other systems of the body, such as the immune system, digestion, and the intestines. Thus, dealing with the source of your stress that could be causing your bowel trouble would be helpful in getting rid of this condition.
Food allergies are also a big culprit when it comes to colitis and irritable bowel. See an allergist or a holistic health provider who can help you determine your allergies. Eliminate wheat and dairy, for starters, since many are allergic to these foods.
More natural help for a spastic bowel:

• Magnesium is a mineral that is soothing to the muscles and also the nerves. Taking magnesium will nourish and relax your nerves and also your bowel—this is probably why the anti-diarrhea medication known as Milk of Magnesia® works for the bowel.
• Activated charcoal in capsules will help absorb any toxins that might be causing the irritable bowel. I always keep some in my herbal medicine cabinet for poisonings of any kind.
• Peppermint oil can aid digestion, and a little dab on the tongue can help ease the problem.

Your body could be short of the good intestinal bacteria lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium (more commonly known as acidophilus and bifidophilus), especially if you have had diarrhea for a while. Supplementing with these bacteria will help bring the bowel into better balance. Eliminate any food source that seems to trigger symptoms. Make a warm lobelia fomentation and place it over the lower bowel to help settle those spastic contractions.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, and spastic bowel all share the same symptoms, including recurring abdominal pain with periods of constipation, followed by periods of diarrhea. The spasticity of the bowel is due to abnormal muscular contractions in the colon.
Some possible causes of irritable bowel syndrome include:

➤ Anxiety
➤ Stress
➤ Parasitic infestation
➤ Bacterial or other infection of the bowel
➤ Food allergies

A spastic bowel can be difficult to work with because of the unpredictability of the symptoms. If you are working with constipation, a bowel stimulant such as cascara sagrada will be helpful; however, when you have diarrhea, cascara may make it worse!