Oregano for Soothing Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms

How Oregano can Help Treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) causes uncomfortable and often debilitating digestive symptoms like stomach cramps, bloating, constipation and diarrhea that can greatly impact quality of life. While there is no definitive cure for IBS, many lifestyle remedies like dietary changes, stress management, and certain herbal therapies may help relieve symptoms. One promising natural treatment is oregano, a fragrant herb commonly used in Italian and Mediterranean cooking. Learn how incorporating more oregano into your diet or using medicinal oregano supplements could benefit IBS.

Understanding IBS and its Symptoms

IBS is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that affects the large intestine and causes changes in bowel movements along with pain and discomfort. Common IBS symptoms include:

• Diarrhea or constipation
• Bloating and gas
• Abdominal cramping
• Mucus in the stool
• Feeling like you can’t completely empty bowels

IBS symptoms tend to flare up periodically and often correspond with emotional stress levels. IBS is different from other bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease or colitis in that there is no obvious damage to the digestive system tissue itself. The exact causes of IBS remain unclear, although changes in the gut-brain connection, intestinal contractions, inflammation and gut microbiome have been cited as contributors.

Using Diet to Manage IBS

No standard treatment exists for IBS, so finding an individualized management plan focused on reducing flare-up triggers is key. Because IBS involves the digestive tract, dietary and nutrition changes play a major role for many patients. Common diet advice includes:

• Eliminating foods that may exacerbate symptoms like dairy, beans, cabbage, and artificial sweeteners for some patients.
• Increasing high fiber foods to aid healthy digestion.
• Staying hydrated with plenty of water.
• Supplementing with gut-soothing herbs and probiotics.

The Healing Powers of Oregano

When optimizing diet to minimize IBS issues, oregano is one medicinal herb well worth considering. Oregano contains active plant compounds like thymol and rosmarinic acid that exhibit strong antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant properties that could benefit digestive health in many ways.

1. Relieves Inflammation

IBS sometimes involves an inflammatory response in the gastrointestinal tract that leads to many unpleasant symptoms. Animal research demonstrates oregano can significantly reduce inflammation in the gut while also enhancing the integrity of the intestinal barrier.

2. Combats Harmful Bacteria Overgrowth

Small intestine bacterial overgrowth and food poisoning infections are common IBS triggers. Oregano acts as a potent natural antibiotic against many types of dangerous bacteria like E Coli, Listeria, and Salmonella that infect the digestive tract.

3. Helps Balance Gut Bacteria

An imbalance between good and bad intestinal bacteria often contributes to IBS issues. Studies show essential oils from oregano can reduce “bad” bacteria while allowing populations of beneficial bacteria to thrive for optimal microbiome balance.

4. Eases Digestive Muscle Spasms

Oregano exhibits antispasmodic effects, helping to relax smooth digestive muscles and relieve painful stomach and intestinal cramps associated with IBS.

5. Reduces Intestinal Gas

The carminative properties of oregano mean it can calm excess gas production in the gut, alleviating uncomfortable bloating, distension and flatulence common in IBS patients.

Using Oregano to Treat IBS Symptoms

Research suggests oregano holds promise as an effective, gentle and low-risk herbal therapy for managing multiple IBS symptoms. Oregano can be consumed as both a culinary herb and a therapeutic supplement to reduce digestive discomfort on a daily basis.

Adding More Oregano to Your Diet

Enjoying more oregano-seasoned Mediterranean cuisine is one of the tastiest ways to harness its digestive benefits. Use dried or fresh oregano abundantly when preparing:

• Pizza
• Pasta dishes
• Soups and stews
• Salad dressings and marinades
• Vegetables like zucchini, squash, eggplant and green beans
• Legumes like chickpeas, white beans and lentils
• Chicken, fish and meat
• Savory baked goods like bread and crackers

Best Oregano Supplements

For therapeutic strength, oregano essential oil capsules or tinctures containing a high level of carvacrol provide concentrated antibacterial and anti-inflammatory oregano compounds. Follow package dosage instructions. Or try this healing oregano tea recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 cup water
• Lemon juice and honey to taste (optional)

Instructions

1. Boil water and remove from heat
2. Steep oregano in hot water for 5-10 minutes
3. Strain out oregano
4. Mix in lemon juice and honey if desired.

Drink 1-2 cups of oregano tea daily between meals to aid digestion.

Lifestyle Changes to Compliment Oregano Therapy

While adding more oregano to your wellness plan may help minimize IBS flare-ups, be sure to also focus on other lifestyle measures to further ease symptoms.

Adjust Your Diet

Keep a food diary to identify problem foods that seem to trigger IBS issues like dairy, gluten, beans, cabbage or carbonated drinks. Eliminate suspect items then systematically reintroduce them one at a time while noting symptoms.

Manage Stress with Exercise, Meditation and Sleep

High stress levels commonly aggravate IBS problems. Make time for relaxing activities like yoga, deep breathing, jogging and adequate sleep to calm the mind-gut connection.

Stay Hydrated

Make a point to drink plenty purified water throughout the day. Proper hydration helps maintain regularity and softens stools for less painful bowel movements.

Consider Probiotic Supplements

Probiotic supplements containing healthy bacteria strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium support gut microbiome balance to reduce digestive issues related to IBS.

Other Herbal Supplements for IBS

Some other botanical remedies to discuss with your doctor for relieving IBS symptoms include:

Peppermint

Peppermint oil capsules help relax intestinal smooth muscle to ease spasms and cramping. Beware of heartburn trigger.

Ginger

Ginger root tea enhances healthy digestion and reduces inflammation, bloating, nausea and gas production.

Slippery Elm Bark

Slippery elm bark powder mixed with water creates a soothing intestinal mucilage to coat and protect the gut lining.

Marshmallow Root

Like slippery elm, marshmallow root contains mucilage that coats digestive tissues for less irritation and better waste elimination.

When to See Your Doctor

Oregano and other herbal remedies may help take the edge off mild to moderate IBS discomfort. But if you experience severe or bloody diarrhea, weight loss, fever or consistently worsening symptoms, seek medical evaluation to rule out other possible gastrointestinal conditions.

By incorporating more oregano into home cooking creations or oregano oil supplements into your daily wellness routine, you provide your body with a spectrum of digestion-enhancing and gut-healing compounds to help tame the misery of IBS flare-ups. Combined with smart dietary choices plus stress-busting self-care, oregano just may be the IBS relief you’ve been searching for.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.