In a review recently published in the journal Nutrients, researchers looked at recent studies on the positive and side effects of spices, dietary fiber, and medicinal herbs for pediatric patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
study: Use of dietary fibre, herbal medicines and spices in children with irritable bowel syndrome: a narrative reviewImage credit: FotoDuets/Shutterstock.com
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IBS, a common functional abdominal pain disorder, is influenced by many variables and has been attempted to be treated with a variety of approaches, including nutrition, pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and neuromodulation.
Infection, inflammation, swelling, changes in the microbiome, nutrition, allergies, and immune system activation all affect the gut microbiome and play important roles in the development of IBS.
The cause of IBS is unknown, but people turn to alternative treatments, such as herbal remedies, when other treatments fail to alleviate symptoms.
About reviews
In this review, researchers looked at existing data on alternative treatments for children with IBS, including dietary fibre, spices and herbal remedies.
The review included randomized controlled trials, prospective observational studies, randomized crossover studies, cluster-randomized clinical trials, and systematic reviews written in English and published in the Cochrane, Scopus, and PubMed databases.
Fiber and herbs for children with IBS
Dietary fiber improves digestive health by regulating stool consistency, bowel frequency, microbiota and metabolism. Fermentation of dietary fiber produces short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and gas.
SCFAs promote colonic function by influencing mesenteric neuronal activity and exerting immunomodulatory effects. Insoluble fibers (e.g., corn, cellulose, lignin, wheat germ, hemicellulose) thicken stool and increase water content, speeding intestinal transit. Bloating and stomach discomfort are the most common complaints about dietary fiber and are usually caused by insoluble fiber.
Seeds Plantain It is used in the production of psyllium fiber (or soluble ispaghula). The mucilage contains acidic arabinoxylans, branched polysaccharides, and prebiotics that promote the development of beneficial bacteria and stimulate the formation of SCFAs.
Psyllium gel (arabinoxylan) is partially fermented, which helps retain moisture in the small intestine and promotes stool production. Psyllium also affects the immune function of the gastric epithelium. Previous studies have shown that taking 6-12 grams of psyllium fiber per day for 4-6 weeks reduced the frequency of pain in children with IBS and caused remission in 42% of cases.
Guar gum is a gel-forming galactomannan extracted from the seeds. Ciamopsis tetragonolobusPartially hydrolyzed guar gum is a water-soluble, low viscosity, non-gelling guar gum derivative.
Guar gum is a gel-forming galactomannan extracted from the seeds. Ciamopsis tetragonolobusPartially hydrolyzed guar gum is a water-soluble, low viscosity, non-gelling guar gum derivative.
Consumption of 5 g of partially hydrolyzed guar gum in 50 mL of fruit juice for 4 weeks reduced the Birmingham IBS Symptom Score and its three subscale scores for diarrhea, constipation, and pain at weeks 4 and 8 in children aged 8 to 16 years. Improvements were also seen in the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS).
Use of herbal medicines and seeds for children with IBS
Herbal medicines such as STW-5, peppermint oil, ginger, curcumin, fennel, and cannabis have proven effective when used in combination to treat IBS. STW-5 is a mixture of nine herbs extracted from medicinal plants that act on gastrointestinal smooth muscles, promote secretion of gastric juices, have antispasmodic, choleretic, and anti-inflammatory properties, and reduce visceral hypersensitivity.
Studies have shown that use of STW-5 (10-20 drops three times a day) can relieve gastrointestinal symptoms by 75%.
The perennial flowering plant Mentha piperita produces peppermint oil, the main component of menthol. Peppermint oil is easily absorbed and has antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties.
From ginger Zingiberaceae Rothko The root of this plant has antiemetic properties and has been used to treat nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy, chemotherapy, indigestion, gastroenteritis, and other conditions, as well as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, and antioxidant properties.
Curcumin, a yellow pigment extracted from turmeric, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and anti-allergic properties. However, researchers have concerns about its limited absorption, bioavailability, and rate of excretion.
The pharmacokinetics of curcumin appear to be improved when combined with other plant extracts. Curcumin appears to be beneficial for gastrointestinal symptoms in IBS patients when used alone or as a component of herbal mixtures.
Fennel oil is FennelIt soothes the smooth muscles of the intestines, reducing stomach discomfort in IBS sufferers.
Studies in adult patients with IBS have found that taking fennel oil in combination with curcumin improves symptoms and quality of life, but evidence in pediatric patients is lacking.
Cannabis contains two major cannabinoids, cannabidiol and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, which may help relieve discomfort in IBS patients. However, adult IBS patients who received cannabidiol rather than a placebo did not experience significant changes in pain levels. Artichoke leaf extract lowers cholesterol and has antiemetic, choleretic, and antispasmodic properties.
Senna is an anthranoid glycoside laxative. Cassia acutifolia, Cassia Augustifoliaand Senna AlexandriaSenna acts on the enteric nervous system in the intestine to increase intestinal motility. Senna has been shown to have a laxative effect in those with chronic constipation and to prepare the bowels before a colonoscopy.
Conclusion
Based on the results of the review, herbal remedies, soluble fibre and spices may be beneficial for IBS sufferers, but the existing evidence is sparse.
Additionally, there is a lack of high-quality research data to support the effectiveness of cannabis and endocannabinoid modulators for treating IBS.
Studies to date have focused on functional gastrointestinal disorders rather than IBS, have limited sample sizes, short follow-up periods, and symptom measures have been validated in adults only, so further research is needed into alternative therapies for pediatric IBS patients.
