Herbs and Supplements for GI Disorders

Herbs and Supplements for GI Disorders Kathi J. Kemper, MD Caryl J Guth Chair for Holistic and Integrative Medicine Professor, Pediatrics, Public Health Sciences, Family Medicine WFUSM Instructor, Harvard Medical School Author, The Holistic Pediatrician Objectives (by the end of this session, you will be able to…): 1. Define “prebiotic” 2. List the herbs commonly used to treat colic 3. Describe two ways of using ginger for nausea 4. Recommend peppermint for IBS 5. Describe the herbs and supplements most commonly used to treat constipation 6. Identify reliable resources Probiotic case You have just recommended probiotics for one of your patients, based on Dr. Pietzak’s lecture. The patient’s mother asks if there’s anything she can do to help the probiotics work better. Is there? YES- Prebiotics • Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients, such as nondigested short chain sugars and fiber that promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the intestines • Examples: beta glucan, arabinoxylan, oligosaccharides (galacto- and fructooligosaccharides, FOS/GOS, inulin) Prebiotics - Benefits • Increased numbers of healthy bacteria (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacter) • Increased short chain fatty acids such as butyrate, which suppresses growth of unhealthy gut bacteria and provide energy to gut muscoal cells • Increased absorption of calcium and magnesium • Decreased gut inflammation • Mixed results on glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides Prebiotics: Sources, Side effects: • Sources: breastmilk, barley, bran and whole grains, legumes, such as beans; vegetables such as leeks, onions, asparagus, greens such as chicory, spinach, burdock, fruits such as bananas, berries • Doses: 1 – 2 grams daily (adults) • Side effects: flatulence, diarrhea, allergies Colic • The mother of a newborn infant asks you about natural remedies for her baby’s colic. The baby is crying 4 hours a day. They’ve tried car rides, bouncy seats, etc. • The grandmother has recommended Gripe Water, star anise, and fennel tea • What are these things and are they safe? Gripe Water • Traditionally – dill extract ± bicarbonate (Woodard’s™), ± alcohol; • Dill, fennel and caraway are spasmolytics • Some include ginger, fennel (Baby’s Bliss™), chamomile, cinnamon and other herbs (Wellements™) • Some contain homeopathic remedies and activated charcoal (eg. Colic Calm™) • GRAS; allergies possible; small RCTs suggest benefits Star Anise for Colic Illicium verum used in Caribbean and Latino populations and China Adulteration with Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum) leads to malaise, jitteriness, hyperexcitability, nystagmus, vomiting, hypertonia, seizures Concerns about adulteration have led to product recalls in Spain, Japan, Scotland, China, Japan, Netherlands Avoid unless you’re sure of what you have! Colic herbs in J Pediatrics • 1993 publication of randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebocontrolled trial • Product: Calme Bebi brand • Extracts of fennel, German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), vervain (Verbena officinalis), licorice root • Dose: up to 150 mL TID for 7 days • Eliminated colic in 57% of infants compared with 26% in placebo (P<0.01) • NO adverse effects noted Nausea A teenager suffering from nausea associated with chemotherapy asks you if there are any natural remedies for nausea. She is tired of taking pills. She has already starting using SeaBands™. Can you advise her? Ginger for Nausea • Numerous RCTs suggest benefits of ginger in preventing and treating nausea Ginger Dosing • Capsules 500 mg – used in RCTs because easy to blind • Dried/candied • Tea – 1 quart of water – 1-2 inch slice of ginger root, cut up – Boil; simmer 15 minutes; cool, sweeten; peppermint? • Gingerale? Depends on brand. Most commercial brands have no ginger, just artificial flavoring Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) • A 17 year old with a diagnosed by your partner as having irritable bowel syndrome says he read on the Internet that peppermint might help him. Should he eat more candy? • What’s the evidence? IBS - Peppermint • Peppermint (Mentha piperita); primary ingredient, 29% 48% menthol • Uses: many digestive complaints, including colic, flatulence, diarrhea, dyspepsia, indigestion, nausea and vomiting • Relaxes smooth muscle and slows GI transit • Approved by German Commission E Enteric coated peppermint oil • Reduces spasms during upper GI, colonoscopy, barium enema • Mixed, mostly positive results in adults and adolescents with IBS – RCT in 110 adults with IBS, 79% had less pain with Colpermin versus 43% with placebo, P<0.05 (Liu, J Gastroenterol, 1997) – RCT of 42 children with IBS, 75% improved with peppermint, P<0.05 (Kline J Pediatr, 2001) Constipation • The father of a 5 year old girl asks whether herbal laxatives he’s seen in the pharmacy, such as Senokot, are safe. • Are they? Fiber for constipation • It depends (dried fruit anyone?) • Fiber is safe if taken with sufficient water; no intestinal obstruction; no allergies – Bran – Psyllium (Plantago. ovata and P. psyllium) – Flax seeds also contain lignans and omega three fatty acids • Side effects: flatulence, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspepsia, nausea Stimulant laxative herbs • Cascara sagrada (Rhamni purshiana) and Senna (Senna folum); castor oil • FDA approved for patients 2 years and older • Use sparingly and briefly • Chronic use can lead to dependence • Side effects: cramping, diarrhea, severe diaper rash Recurrent abdominal pain • The mother of an 8 year old boy with benign chronic recurrent abdominal pain associated with the stress of starting a new school asks if there are natural remedies she can give him that might help. • Are there? Herbal remedies for stress-related abdominal pain • Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) recommended by Peter Rabbit’s mother • Contains flavonoids, anti-inflammatories, spasmolytic compounds • Listed on formularies of 25+ countries • Approved by German Commission E to treat abdominal spasms and inflammatory diseases of the GI tract • May combine with fennel, peppermint, lemon balm • Side effects: allergies Lemon balm • Iberogast™, German remedy containing 8 herbs: Iberis amara, Chelidonii, Cardui, Melissae folium, Carvi, Liquiritiae radix, Angelicae, Matricariae, Menthae piperitae • Meta-analysis of studies in 595 adults shows positive effects on dyspepsia in adults (Melzer J, 2004) Licorice: Glycyrrhiza glabra • Contains: glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhizic acid, polyphenols, and polysaccharides • TCM ulcer remedy; newer HepC? • Inhibits 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase + other enzymes involved in the metabolism of corticosteroids. → increased cortisol levels • Anti-inflammatory and mineralocorticoid effects (BP, edema) • NOT ANISE Caveats with herbs • Variable quality – think of produce • Contaminants or wrong herbs included • Heavy metals in some imports from developing countries with lower manufacturing standards • Pharmaceuticals, e.g TCM • Use identifiable products OR those from countries with higher standards, eg. Canada, Germany, Switzerland; check ConsumerLabs Resources • Compare brands – http://www.consumerlabs.com • NLM: – http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/ • Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database • Natural Standard: – http://www.naturalstandard.com/ • • • • NIH NCCAM http://nccam.nih.gov/ Contemporary Pediatrics NC NW AHEC on-line course on HDS https://northwestahec.wfubmc.edu/learn/herb s_ce/index.cfm The History of Medicine 2000 BC: “Here, eat this root.” 1000 AD: “That root is heathen; say this prayer.” 1850 AD: “That prayer is superstition; drink this potion.” 1940 AD: “That potion is snake oil; swallow this pill.” 1985 AD: “That pill is ineffective; take this antibiotic.” 2000 AD: “That antibiotic is artificial; eat this root.”