The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
L-Glutamine
Posted by Robert (Nashville, TN) on 11/09/2008
★★★★★
A natural doctor recommended the powdered supplement l-glutamine for my IBS. He said to take 5g(1 teaspoon) twice a day with juice or water but don't take it with protein at the same time because it will lesson the effect. It works! I have had far fewer attacks. It is inexpensive and easy to find because weightlifters also use it for muscle building benefits.
Psyllium
Posted by Naomi (Auckland, New Zealand) on 10/13/2008
★★★★★
Psyllium husk (remedy) Irritable Bowel Syndrome (ailment)
After years of laxative abuse associated with an eating disorder, I ended up with sever IBS and an intolerance to a wide range of foods, including many fruits. I started taking psyllium husks recently after reading about it in a health magazine, and I have been amazed by the difference. I can eat most foods without the bloating, flatulence and chronic stomach pain that I have had to live with for years!
Although, I have found that when I have not taken the psyllium for several days, the symptoms have returned again. But to be able to live without pain, a tablespoon of psyllium on my breakfast in the mornings seems a small ask!
Dietary Changes
Posted by Jessica Nicholson (Toronto, Canada) on 09/02/2008
★★★★★
I suffered from chronic IBS along with acne mostly in my T zone and fluctuating weight gain/loss for a number of years. after much toying with medications birth control pills and numerous skin creams which all had horrible side effects like rashes, yeast infections, bladder infections Candida, massive mood swings, depression, bad breath etc... I decided to find my own cure by following my bodies urges. I did a ton of research about digestion and the causes a poor diet has on digestion and eventually the skin after all our bodies organs are all connected to one another I then kept a food journal recording how I felt before and after everything I ate I eventually discovered that wheat was the culprit I was eating the stuff daily pasta, bread, and cereal.who'da thunk it wheat supposibly the miracle food giver of life was poisoning my body. After this discovery I eliminated wheat completely from my diet went on a regime of detox and colon cleanses all with natural products such as olive oil and lemon juice mixture for getting rid of gall stones, Dr Natura for a gentle natural non intrusive colon cleanse regime. and the master cleanse along with a juice fast for 10 days. and I eventually switched over to a vegitarian diet very high in live green foods, fruit and soy. This totally cleared up my skin, cutting out the wheat cleared up my IBS almost immediately and I have been IBS free now for almost 10 years. Another neat side effect of wheat elimination was I had suffered from a series of learning disabilities while I was a child and young adult after cutting out the wheat the brain fog cleared up and I was finally able to focus for the first time in my life. The cleansing cleared up my skin and the dietary changes dropped my weight to a my optimum weight I'm 5'8" tall and weigh 140 pounds with a very athletic build and have had no fluctuation since the change.
I am now 9 months pregnant and have never been so healthy in my life.I have put on the appropriate amount of weight needed for a health pregnancy. I have experienced no discomfort and had a totally normal exceptionally healthy pregnancy on this diet.
Follow your body's intuition and you will never go wrong. health is in your hands and diet!
best of luck Jessica xo
Probiotics
Posted by germanygirl (hamburg, germany) on 03/01/2008
★★★★★
i suffered from BV for almost six months after taking just one round of powerful antibiotics! the smell was awful, and my self esteem really began to suffer. i just went to work and came straight home! i knew i had to restore my good flora, and it does take time, so i had to be patient. i kept going to my gynecologist, and thankfully, she encouraged my attempts to find a natural cure, and respected my desire to refrain from taking any more antibiotics. after finding out about probiotics, i started with just regular acidophilus, which did nothing! then, i found out that they need to contain more than acidophilus, specifically L. Rahmnosus and bifidobacterium longum. This combination worked magic!! it is sold in the United States...i was living in Atlanta at the time, and found it easily at co-ops and health food stores. also widely available online. just make sure those two are in there along with the acidophilus. i should also mention that i was suffering from IBS at the time, which also cleared up. i still take probiotics (one a day) to maintain intestinal health, and they are great. (this was three years ago.) generally only get sick once a year, and a bad cold doesn't turn into bronchitis anymore. good luck!
MSM
Posted by Irene (Brisbane, Australia) on 02/03/2008
★★★★★
My husband and I have had wonderful success for over 6 years taking MSM orally and using MSM topically. We each take a teaspoon daily - about 4 grams. It has stopped irritable bowel syndrome and arthritis and been fantastic help in gum problems (gargle).The gel has reduced scars, insect bites, sunburn and creams are anti-ageing. We are passionate about MSM and will always take and apply it. Results have been so dramatic we started a skin care company.
Turmeric
Posted by gillian (DF, Mexico) on 11/27/2007
★★★★★
have the indian spice turmeric on hand for emergencies. Usually IBS has a lot to do with our emotional well-being and suggests something is or many things are stressing us and we need to make changes in ourselves. However becoming perfect can take more than a life time so i recomend turmeric, i swallow half a teaspoonfull when I have a bad case of IBS and in half an hour I am much better. Only thing is as with lots of cures natural and pharmaceutecal, if the IBS keeps coming back eventually the effect of the turmeric or other cure is lessened. what it gives us is a chance to feel better while we try to solve the underlying problems.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dawn (Ekron, KY) on 01/20/2007
★★★★★
I have suffered from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for nearly 20 years. My worst symptom is chronic constipation. For a while I was unknowingly on a "natural" stimulant and didn't realize I was dependent on it to stay "regular". After two partial bowel obstructions I realized what had happened and have had trouble getting regular again without the aide of stimulants UNTIL Apple Cider Vinegar! I have been taking it three times each day since before Thanksgiving and have been regular with no other "help" aides for almost two months. To avoid the additional calories that come from taking ACV with honey or juices, I dilute mine with flavored carbonated water and it has become very easy to take.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Lou (Tyler, Tx)
★★★★★
I have been taking coconut capsules for the digestive tract and IBS lately and they have worked wonders.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 10/02/2010
Why don't you take just a spoon full of oil? Is there any benefit by taking the capsules?
No More Filtered Water
Posted by GMA Helen (Tavares, Florida) on 11/12/2025
★★★★★
I've had IBS-d for twenty years. I've tried everything, elimination diets, pro n prebiotics, Imodium, etc. Maybe some things helped but not much or for long.
The last spring we headed north from Florida. When we got home I couldn't find my zero water pitcher so I drank regular water from the tap. Guess what? My gut became normal. I couldn't believe it. Now we returned to Florida and Florida water tastes terrible so I used the zero water again. My gut became liquid almost immediately. After a couple weeks I pitched the Zero Water and within two days all is well again.
I don't claim to know why that happens but I do know that it's a cheap experiment if you suffer from IBS. I'm not claiming it's a cure but I'm saying it's very nice to be able to go out to eat without worrying about getting home in time.
IBS and Water
Posted by Wendy (London) on 04/19/2025
★★★★★
After suffering absolutely years I suddenly stumbled across what has been making my IBS worse...........water. Again for years I've bought into this theory we must drink plenty of water daily to keep healthy and hydrated. I drank water as often as I could. Can't think why but suddenly decided to stop this constantly carrying water around with me to take through the day. I did drink of course but just to quench my thirst. This is what I discovered. My IBS D calmed right down to near normal bowel movements. My urine lost it's cloudy look and weird smell I experienced at night. My constant need to pee (which was only a trickle each time) ceased and I was now peeing normally. I am so much better now.
SIBO Connection
Posted by Nonnie (Canada) on 09/13/2019
Dietary Changes
Posted by Elizabeth (Ny) on 04/19/2017
Art, thank you so much for replying. I will speak with my doctor about the vitamin D and the Melatonin. I used to take Melatonin just to help me sleep, but did not realize it had so many other good factors as for the IBS. I believe I will start taking these myself because I feel if I can get this under control myself then I won't have to go to the doctors. As I said, I am up during the wee hours of the morning up until about 7/8 am when things settle down and I don't have any issues for the rest of the day or evening until after I got to bed and sleep for a couple of hours then awakened to an urgent need to go to the bathroom. It is so frustrating. There are things I want to do but I have limited my time out because I am so afraid of having an "accident" or an episode. This is nothing I have experienced before with the IBS and as much as I do get some bloating, the pain is very annoying and aggravating.
I have been drinking coconut water, one bottle or so a day, using coconut/almond milk in my coffee, eating very blandly such as plain scrambled eggs, plain toast with just jam or a waffle or two with peanut butter. It seems no matter what I have done though has helped. So frustrating.
Thank you again for your response. All is taken with great hope that I can get this under control.
Elizabeth
Dietary Changes
Posted by Mt (Bucharest) on 04/19/2017
Infusion: The Calamus root tea is only prepared as a cold-infusion. A level teaspoon of Calamus roots is soaked in 1/4 litre of cold water overnight, lightly warmed in the morning and strained. Before using, warm the tea in a waterbath.
Take 6 sips of Calamus root tea daily (one sip before a meal and one sip after it).
Eating green bananas (not ripe, hard to peel) will rebuild the intestinal lining. Carrot juice is also helping
Look also in the Pulse test book (by Arthur Coca) to learn how to determine if you have some allergies.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Eleanor (Atlanta) on 05/18/2017
Thank you, Janet. Can you please clear up the dose of lithium and pregnenolone? You have mg but I see mcg when I go to order--that would make a big difference! I already have gaba, l-tryptophan, dhea, borax, sea salt. I ordered kelp powder so I can fine tune the dose, same with b1. I already take B3 for cholesterol (1000mg 2x/d). I didn't see 12.5 dhea anywhere, so I'll just cut my tablets in half. On another note, to those who can't get the correct dose--try to dissolve the tablet/empty the capsule into a known quantity of water. Then it is easy to pour off half to get half a dose, half again for 1/4 the dose, etc. This method works for most things--1 drop in 1 glass water, pour off half and you have 1/2 a drop left.....
Dietary Changes
Posted by Gert (Va) on 12/11/2017
Janet, thank you for your response. I am already doing all the items on the first section, elimination. I will get the items needed for the rest of your post and start that when I've gotten it all. I have some lysine, but probably not enough, and the dhea but will have to get the methylene blue. I may have the l-threonine, will have to look. I have tried everything! When I try something new, I usually stick to it rigidly for at least 1 month and then reassess to see how it's affecting me. Thanks again.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Gert (Va) on 12/14/2017
Thanks, Janet, I've got some mb on order and will follow your directions when it arrives. Just wanted to make sure. And to the other poster--I have gone gluten free, strictly, for over 2 months in the past and it didn't change anything. I've always wondered--I had chemo as a child (18 months, so I don't remember it & my parents wouldn't tell me what or why--said I'd never get life insurance if I mentioned it). Did that start my problem? Is there any way to fix it now? I'm 60, so I guess all I can do at this point is live as well as I can. But, wow, that ibs d really makes life hard.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Janet (In) on 12/23/2017
Gertie
For the remedy it is one dose per bottle.
Some folks take more sodium ascorbate, per day as a normal thing. This is based on Ted's doses for the remedy.
In his instructions it is the first dose. All of the sodium ascorbate. I changed it because, "six people" Leaving the house with remedy in hand for work etc. It works this divided up way for us.
Ted's actual instructions call for the Threonine, methylene blue and sodium ascorbate to be dosed first in am. The lysine hourly. I got so confused as to who had what when. 2 people work third shift here. It is even more confusing as 1 third shift is Sunday that is counted as Monday. The other starts Monday but that is really Monday that is actually Tuesday. 1 works second shift. 2 work mornings with different start times. I could not keep it straight. I still cannot. Lol.
So I experimented on myself first. Thank goodness it worked.
Janet
Dietary Changes
Posted by Alex (Los Angeles, CA) on 03/09/2021
Try to eat probiotics and cut off with bread, cakes, tacos if you have constipation and try to lower carbs.
Magnesium Chloride
Posted by Leila (Europe) on 03/16/2015
Hello everyone,
I am writing regarding what I believe is an IBS problem that I developed around 5 years ago, when going through a stressful situation. I was severely constipated for a few months and began noticing the presence of mucus in my stools (until then I never noticed anything of this kind).
Although I have manage to improve a lot my condition, and rarely suffer from acute pain nowadays, I still tend to get constipated when there is a change in my routine or when I am feeling stressed.
What helps me best to "go" in the morning is one or two teaspoons of ascorbic acid mixed with bicarbonated sodium.
On the other hand, the only thing that has helped regarding the presence of mucus in the stool is when I take one teaspoon of magnesium chloride with water first thing in the morning, but it is not as effective as the ascorbic acid + baking soda for my constipation. When I discontinued the use of magnesium chloride and started taking the ascorbic acid again in the morning, the presence of mucus returned.
I read conflicting views regarding the use of bicarbonated sodim so I am uncertain if I should continue taking it, or if it s best to opt for the magnesium chloride. Just wondering if anyone had the same result with the magnesium chloride or has any thoughts regarding this issue.
Apart from this I am healthy, eat a balanced diet and so on.
Many thanks! Leila
Onion, Garlic, Apple Cider Vinegar Enema
Posted by Diamond (Ma.) on 10/22/2014
★★★★★
I have had IBS for many years and it has taken me this long to find out what it was and a cure if any. I was told by my family Dr. I had a blood disease at the age of approx. 12 or so, since then I have been following these symptoms, I have been constipated since I was born it got worse as I got older, I went from one Dr. to another for way too many years with the same stories, change my diet(?) etc. I was born on a farm so we had all kinds of apple and other fruit tree's that I ate all summer as well as corn and other veggies.I finally went to a Dr. and said listen what is wrong with my bowels(?)he said he would do some tests in the hosp.where I had to drink some barium and loads of other junk along with many tests, I said impossible. Nothing was ever resolved especially with Dr's. Then I asked my aunt what their history was on a farm, she had mentioned there was twins born into the family and one died from pneumonia, because the house was never insulated or air tight. Later on as years passed and my grandparents passed away my parents took the house.My father was fixing the house but not soon enough. There were eight children with colds constantly.When I got older I kept searching, I was very tall (5'11 1/2) at the age of 16-I was 110 Lbs. for many years and could never gain any weight at all, I continued to be constipated and severe back pain. Now here is the deepest secretes kept by the Government as well as the CDC and Drs. When a human is introduced to a very damp home it's generally called mold and/or fungi.For the past twenty plus years I have been trying every thing known to science and man-kind for info.and a cure, but absolutely nothing.
For some odd reason I came across a great remedy; here is the best solution: and harmless; I use a big cup chop an onion into slices or dice them, use fresh garlic (I buy it already peeled in a container) then use ACV in the cup with all the ingredients, it's best to let this solution set in the cup for at least a day or overnight, then take an enema where it cleans all the impurities and inflammation.I was so surprised to see all the foamy white stuff coming out.
I also read where a certain amount inflammation is protection against diseases. Good Luck every one.This remedy is a God send for me. I was almost ready to have a heart attack because of this poisonous inflammation near my heart.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Trudyg (USA) on 05/17/2013
★★★★★
Re: Advice Sought for IBS
First, you need to watch your diet. Keep a journal and record what you eat, when, how you felt, etc. Also note if you are stressed, tired, that sort of thing. You will notice in a short time what foods bother you when eaten often/occasionally/very rarely/in great quantities. For instance, I can drink 1 c of coffee but not 2 in a day. Some foods are definite triggers--chocolate, tomatoes, high fats. We are always told to eat whole grains, but this is very hard on ibsD. Well-cooked without peel is usually safe for fruits & vegs. Then, look at fiber. There ar 2 kinds, soluble and insoluble. The soluble is goopy, as in oatmeal and lima beans. The insoluble is roughage, like celery. Avoid the insoluble and increase the soluble. If you eat things like nuts, chew very well. Make sure you stay hydrated, water is usually good. Peppermint is an antispasmodic and can help with cramping--comes in capsules, too. good Luck. I've been helped by folks on EC so much, I'm glad I can pass it on.
Buttermilk
Posted by Trudyg (USA) on 05/17/2013
★★★★☆
The buttermilk has live probiotics, that's why it helps. I would never say I'm cured because it does come back--eat the wrong thing or stress and I've got a flare that can last a year. I've been making and drinking my own kefir which has been a fantastic help, so if you can't get good buttermilk you can try kefir. I haven't taken supplements for my insomnia the last 3 day, took ambien b/c too much going on & had to sleep. Plan tonight to take l-glutamine + 5-htp+ taurine + vit e. Any thoughts? It's morning now & I can change it if you have any ideas. Thanks.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Idow (Miami, Fl) on 04/29/2012
To Kazim from Peshawar, Pakistan: Some of the symptoms you describe "severe pain on middle and right side of ribs (stomach side), no appetite" point to gallbladder problems or gallstones. I had those same symptoms and had to have my gallbladder removed. The test is a simple ultrasound.
Unfortunately, I still have acid reflux and ibs, so getting your gallbladder removed doesn't fix all issues that you may be having. Try a plant based diet, with lots of natural juices (I purchased a juicer). The juices may relieve the pain in your back & right side of your stomach.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jessica (California) on 06/16/2013
Does this really work? How much should I take?? I've been suffering from ibs for so long and I'm miserable!! I've tried ginger tea, Rolaids, ect and nothing works for me. I'd really like to try Apple Cider Vinegar so please can someone help me out on how I should be taking it?? Thank you!!
Valerian
Posted by Mira (Strathclyde, Scotland, Uk) on 11/21/2011
★★★★★
I have been taking a 450mg valerian root capsule each night before bed for the past week and it has led to a marked improvement in my IBS-C symptoms. It might be due to the fact that valerian has a slowing/calming effect on the body and has allowed my digestive system to relax somewhat. The one night I missed a dose, my crampy/gurgly symptoms started coming back during the day, so I am positive that it's the valerian that is helping.
Magnesium Chloride
Posted by Luana (Hollywood, Fl) on 06/23/2011
★★★★★
Magnesium Chloride cured me right away. I was given a deadly staff infection from a surgery and then tons of antibiotics over the course of a year and became very messed up. Doctors had no answers. I couldn't even digest food any longer and had terrible problems. I tried everything. Learned of the magnesium chloride from Bill from San Fernando here on Earthclinic and followed all the really valuable links he provided on the miracle of magnesium. Don't buy the magnesium in the drug store, its not the same.
IBS and Herpes Virus Connection
Posted by Christi (Fl) on 11/26/2022
★★★★★
I have to agree with Megyn and all of the above comments. I have HSV2 and got this after already having IBS symptoms. However, I also wonder if the herpes virus isn't making it worse as well. :( This sucks! I take a monolaurin supplement which is shown to help herpes. If I 'ever' run out of it, I am entirely constipated and impacted. I found it also treats h pylori and I have symptoms which indicate, to me, that I have this as well. So, I began 2 T 3 x per day of 10 ppm silver hydrosol and this has helped when out of the monolaurin, so has oregano oil. However, the monolaurin, is a night and day difference. I know that going with the protocol of low FODMAP, allicin, neem oil, berberine, and oreganol helped me in the past but I ran out and 'cheated' before finishing the treatment effects. So, I'm on the fence as to what is the root cause. At the same time, it's freaky to me how using monolaurin alone will regulate my bathroom habits (petrified to run out). I only take pellet form. I will look into lysine again but found little effect on my hsv2. Found out about monolaurin through Dr. Neil. Also, I believe if I cut out so many nuts (I tend to eat a lot of these) that this would really help my hsv2 symptoms, thereby decreasing the need for monolaurin. I wish I had a fm doctor to wade through all of this. I will look at Ted's protocol above for hsv.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 07/23/2013
Thanks Ed2010, it's clearer now.
