-IBIS-1.7.0-
tx
digestive system
irritable bowel syndrome
Chinese Formulae

formulas

Bamboo and Ginseng C.; Bupleurum and Cinnamon C. (Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang) plus white peony (bai shao yao); Cyperus 18 (patent): Liver Qi Stagnation: digestive distress especially related to emotions

(Bamboo and Ginseng: Hsu, 1980, p. 90; Dharmananda, 1986, p. 247; Bupleurum and Cinnamon: Hsu, 1980, p. 117; Dharmananda, 1986, p. 134; Bensky and Barolet, p. 138; Cyperus 18: Dharmananda, 1990, p. 45)

Tong Xie Yao Fang; Bupleurum 12 (patent); Bupleurum and Tang Kuei F. (Xiao Yao Wan) (available as patent as Bupleurum Sedative Pills): Liver Invading Spleen: borborygmus, diarrhea with pain that is better after completion, abdominal pain

(Tong Xie: Yeung, p. 237; Bensky and Barolet, p. 149; Bupleurum 12: Dharmananda, 1990, p. 39; Bupleurum and Tang Kuei: Hsu, 1980, p. 94; Yeung, p. 263; Dharmananda, 1986, p. 228; Bensky and Barolet, p. 147; patent: Zhu, p. 227; Fratkin, p. 157)

• Ginseng and Astragalus C. (Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang) (available as patent as Central Qi Pills): Spleen Qi Xu (Deficiency): loose stools, abdominal bloating, aversion to cold, thirst for warm beverages

(Hsu, 1980, p. 255; Yeung, p. 51; Dharmananda, 1986, p. 186; Bensky and Barolet, p. 241; patent: Zhu, p. 270; Fratkin, p. 171)

• Bupleurum S (patent): Spleen Distressed by Dampness (Dharmananda, 1990, p. 40)

• Wen Pi Tang: Spleen Yang Xu (Deficiency): constipation, abdominal pain, cold extremities; chronic red-and-white dysenteric disorders (Yeung, p. 243; Bensky and Barolet, p. 127)

• Huai Jiao Wan (patent): Large Intestine Heat. (Zhu, p. 185)

• Si Shen Wan): Kidney Yang Xu (Deficiency): early-morning diarrhea, lack of interest in food, low back pain with cold limbs, fatigue, abdominal pain (Yeung, p. 218; Bensky and Barolet, p. 359)

• Atractylodes and Setaria C.; Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Wan (patent): Spleen Qi Xu (Deficiency) with Spleen Distressed by Dampness

(Atractylodes and Setaria: Hsu, 1980, p. 461; Xiang Sha: Zhu, p. 221)

• Vitality C. (Zhen Wu Tang): Kidney and Spleen Yang Xu (Deficiency): weak patient, especially colitis patient on corticosteroids (Hsu, 1980, p. 278; Yeung, p. 287, Bensky and Barolet, p. 197)

footnotes

Bensoussan A, Talley NJ, Hing M, Menzies R, Guo A, Ngu M. Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with Chinese herbal medicine: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 1998 Nov 11;280(18):1585-1589.

Abstract: CONTEXT: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional bowel disorder for which there is no reliable medical treatment. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is of any benefit in the treatment of IBS. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted during 1996 through 1997. SETTING: Patients were recruited through 2 teaching hospitals and 5 private practices of gastroenterologists, and received CHM in 3 Chinese herbal clinics. PATIENTS: A total of 116 patients who fulfilled the Rome criteria, an established standard for diagnosis of IBS. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 treatment groups: individualized Chinese herbal formulations (n = 38), a standard Chinese herbal formulation (n = 43), or placebo (n = 35). Patients received 5 capsules 3 times daily for 16 weeks and were evaluated regularly by a traditional Chinese herbalist and by a gastroenterologist. Patients, gastroenterologists, and herbalists were all blinded to treatment group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change in total bowel symptom scale scores and global improvement assessed by patients and gastroenterologists and change in the degree of interference in life caused by IBS symptoms assessed by patients. RESULTS: Compared with patients in the placebo group, patients in the active treatment groups (standard and individualized CHM) had significant improvement in bowel symptom scores as rated by patients (P=.03) and by gastroenterologists (P=.001), and significant global improvement as rated by patients (P=.007) and by gastroenterologists (P=.002). Patients reported that treatment significantly reduced the degree of interference with life caused by IBS symptoms (P=.03). Chinese herbal formulations individually tailored to the patient proved no more effective than standard CHM treatment. On follow-up 14 weeks after completion of treatment, only the individualized CHM treatment group maintained improvement. CONCLUSION: Chinese herbal formulations appear to offer improvement in symptoms for some patients with IBS.