Natural Remedies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of Herbal-Based Therapies

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a complex and multifactorial gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and altered bowel habits, impacting quality of life. Therapy is mainly based on relieving symptoms with specific drugs, whereas herbal and complementary remedies have gained attention in recent years. This review examines the current knowledge on herbal remedies in IBS management. Several herbal treatments, particularly peppermint oil and Iberogast, have demonstrated efficacy in randomized controlled trials. Preclinical studies have revealed promising anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects for herbs, e.g., curcumin, fennel oil, and cannabis derivatives. However, many studies suffer from some limitations, e.g., small sample sizes, short study durations, or methodological weaknesses. There is a lack of large-scale, long-term randomized controlled trials for most herbal remedies, and heterogeneity in study designs makes direct comparisons challenging. Moreover, limited evidence exists regarding herb-drug interactions and long-term safety profiles. Despite these limitations, certain herbal remedies may offer a valuable complementary approach for some IBS patients when used under medical supervision. Future research should focus on larger, well-designed clinical trials to establish efficacy, optimal dosing, and long-term safety, as well as elucidate specific mechanisms of action and identify patient subgroups that may benefit most from specific herbal treatments.