Stress and anxiety can also play a part in another common disorder, “irritable bowel syndrome” — a name that is often little more than a convenient label for a range of symptoms that can embrace just about any bowel irregularity which does not have a clear pathological cause. Sufferers can complain of numerous problems typical of poor digestive function or food intolerance — including constipation, diarrhoea, bloating, flatulence, stomach cramps, nausea, bowel tenderness, headaches, general tiredness, depression or anxiety. Food intolerance is a common cause: one study suggests that two-thirds of IBS sufferers actually display some sort of food allergy. The main culprits include dairy food, gluten (found in wheat, oats, barley and rye), caffeine-containing drinks, alcohol, cigarettes, eggs and red meat. If food intolerance is the cause, then it is important to identify and avoid the problem categories.

Soothing herbs such as marshmallow and meadowsweet can help to relieve IBS symptoms, as can digestive tonics and stimulants like peppermint and golden seal. Astringents, such as herb Robert and agrimony, can be added to these remedies to ease any symptoms of diarrhoea.

Herbal BeautyMany women find that irritable bowel symptoms get worse just before a period and a clinical trial at Addenbroke’s Hospital in Cambridge used evening primrose oil on sufferers. The researchers based their project on the fact that excess production of certain sorts of prostaglandins (PGE2) has been linked to certain types of IBS. Gammalinolenic acid — found in evening primrose and borage oils — can influence which sorts of prostaglandins are produced and the study demonstrated that large doses of the oil (3-4 g daily) for at least three months brought significant improvements in IBS when it was related to pre-menstrual problems.

Diarrhoea

Nervous tension is a common cause of an over-active digestive tract and problems with diarrhoea — although there are plenty of other causes too: infection from bacteria, chills, over-eating, alcohol or other irritant foods can all cause problems. Excessive bowel motions can lead to cramping pains and general soreness in the anal area, while the associated symptoms can include nausea and vomiting.

Sudden diarrhoea is most commonly caused by some sort of gastro-intestinal infection — especially if others who shared the same meal are similarly affected.This is an all-too-common problem for holidaymakers who may find that local standards of hygiene in exotic locations are not quite the same as back home. When travelling in high-risk areas never eat raw salads, always wash and peel fruit, avoid ice cubes in drinks and regard street-side hawkers selling “bottled water” with some suspicion.

In Chinese medicine, fruits and salads are regarded as “cooling” or yin in character and an excess can thus lead to stomach chills and diarrhoea problems — much as Gerard warned against eating cucumbers in winter. Leaving our cold northern isle (yin in character) and heading for sunny holiday spots to eat all those exotic fruits can upset the yin-yang balance and can contribute just as much to holiday tummy upsets as poor hygiene.

Diarrhoea and vomiting are the body’s natural reaction to an infecting organism and are often the best way of getting rid of it quickly: herbal treatment helps with astringent remedies to soothe the digestive tract. Strong, cold, black Indian tea — without milk or sugar — is rich in tannins and can ease an overworked gut if nothing better is available.

Gastric flu and stomach chills can also lead to diarrhoea. Again symptoms are likely to be short-lived and using astringent herbal mixtures (such as agrimony, herb Robert or marigold) combined with anti-infection herbs like echinacea or hemp agrimony can help. Diarrhoea is very dehydrating and it is important to increase fluid intake during such bouts — especially with babies and small children

Regular diarrhoea is more likely to be stress-related.This can range from the irritating, but largely harmless, increased frequency before exams or job interviews, to debilitating disorders such as ulcerative colitis which require professional attention and can lead to long-term, chronic illness. Sedating herbs — such as chamomile, lemon balm or skullcap — can help.

Piles

Constipation is often associated with piles, or haemorrhoids — a type of varicose veins which can easily be felt, like bunches of grapes, around the rectum. Minor cases can often be cured completely, although once formed piles do have a tendency to recur later in life and can often be rekindled by overexertion as well as by recurrent bouts of constipation. Pilewort is an obvious remedy, although ointments of many astringent herbs — including witch hazel, marigold and agrimony — can also help.

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