Herbs for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Chinese herbal medicine helps relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The study was conducted between 1996 and 1997 and involved 116 participants.

IBS, characterized by chronic stomach pain and disturbed defecation, affects 10 percent and 20 percent of the population. Treatments include drugs, diet changes and couseling.

Researchers found that patients did best on a herbal mix designed to regulate and strengthen bowel function.