One in every ten people suffers from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which causes pain, bloating, and unpredictable bowel movements that can be loose or firm. IBS can resemble serious conditions, but if such conditions are ruled out, you are left with a diagnosis of IBS, which is considered a functional disorder.
There are three types of IBS:
- Mixed, that is a mixture of diarrhoea and constipation,
- IBS where diarrhoea is dominant,
- IBS where constipation is dominant.
Imagine IBS as an imbalance in the digestive system. The Rome criteria define it as pain associated with bowel changes: diarrhoea (IBS-D), constipation (IBS-C), or both (IBS-M). Approximately one-quarter of the cases alternate wildly, with one-third leaning loose and one-third hard. Stress, inconsistent eating, and a lack of sleep all contribute to the problem, but home remedies can often help.
Traditional approaches to constitutional types explain why different people get different types: someone who has a tendency toward thinness, dryness (skin, bowels), worry, insomnia, overthinking, and anxiety will have the mixed type, which includes cramps and swings from diarrhoea to constipation and back again, as well as a lot of flatulence (IBS-M).
It is important for these people to build rhythm in their lives to stabilise the gut.
- Eat regular, warm-cooked meals; skip late snacks.
- Try soluble fibres like oats or psyllium but start slowly—they firm loose stools and soften hard ones.
- Walk daily and breathe deeply.
- Build meditation into your daily routine.
- Practise yoga or Tai Chi.
- Sip chamomile, peppermint, or ginger tea for bloating.
People who have a predominantly warm-dry temperament and are driven to succeed tend to generate excess heat in digestion and emotions when out of balance. They are a fiery type, and if they have IBS, it will be characterised by much more diarrhoea than constipation. They will have frequent loose stools, cramps, and urgency. Such individuals can ease their situation by:
- Cut out triggers such as caffeine, alcohol, and fatty foods. Spicy foods may also trigger a bout of diarrhoea.
- Eat small, cooling meals like rice, bananas, and yogurt.
- Stay hydrated; add oral rehydration salts if runs persist.
- Peppermint oil (purchase capsules) or chamomile calms spasms;
- Milk thistle may also help.
People who are the ‘salt of the earth', calm, composed, and steady can also have gut issues if sluggishness and congestion build up in their system. These types of people will develop IBS that is characterised by constipation, with infrequent stools, bloating, and straining.
A person suffering from this form of IBS needs to stay well hydrated. They are the one type of person that needs to drink water regularly.
They would also benefit from adding flaxseed to cereal, and regular brisk walking will boost peristalsis in the gut. Laxatives should be avoided, but prunes can be added to cereal along with flaxseed.
IBS may be viewed as a very personal imbalance, with gut issues reflecting your own body-mind makeup rather than a one-size-fits-all problem. Whether you have erratic swings, urgent diarrhoea with inflammation, or sluggish constipation with bloating, the key is to tailor your approach to the problem by recognising your own innate pattern. If you suffer from the mixed type, then grounding warmth and rhythm in your life is what is needed. If constipation occurs, balance can be restored by combining tactics such as regular meals, soluble fibres, fibres (oats, psyllium, and flaxseed), stress-relieving walks or breathing exercises, and time-tested remedies. Triphala may be available in your local health shop, and it is a balancing Ayurvedic fruit blend that promotes regularity. Use slippery elm, a soothing demulcent that moistens and eases passage, or dandelion root, a mild bitter that stimulates digestion, but always start slowly and stay hydrated. Chamomile, fennel, and peppermint remain versatile pain relievers and pleasant teas for all three types of IBS.
IBS is rarely a one-size-fits-all condition. If symptoms persist or feel overwhelming, a consultation allows me to assess your digestive health, stress levels, diet, and overall constitution in depth. Together we can create a structured, evidence-informed herbal plan suited to your individual needs.
Book a consultation here.