Chinese medicine treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Chinese Medicine for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

What is IBS?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the most common chronic functional bowel disorder, affecting up to 2 in 10 Australians. The main symptoms of IBS are abdominal pain and changes in bowel movements without any other cause (1). IBS can be categorised into three types, with the respective predominant symptoms of diarrhoea (IBS-D), constipation (IBS-C), or both (IBS-mixed). The symptoms are often relapsing and remitting, meaning that severity changes across time as inflammation in the bowel fluctuates. IBS is more common in females and symptoms may worsen during their menstrual period due to hormone fluctuations . Symptoms can be triggered by food, other lifestyle factors such as stress, or have an unknown cause.

How is it diagnosed?

IBS is diagnosed by a GP according to the patient’s signs and symptoms and with confirmation of the absence of another cause (such as IBD, which is a different form of inflammatory disease in the gut, allergies, or structural abnormalities). Other clinical tests such as blood tests, stool tests and scans may be used to rule out other causes.

How does Western medicine treat IBS?

Western medicine treatments for IBS include both lifestyle changes and medication. Lifestyle changes may include identifying and avoiding trigger foods, eating higher fibre foods, drinking more water, regular exercise, and improved sleep hygiene. Medications can be different depending on the type of IBS the patient suffers from, but may include:

-       laxatives or antidiarrheals to regulate stools

-       Antidepressants, antispasmodic, and pain medications to control abdominal pain and bloating

-       Medicines to reduce contractility of the gastrointestinal system (GIT)

-       Medicines to increase fluid secretion in the GIT

Current Western medicine treatment options are limited, with there being no single drug regimen effective for the multisystem and long-term nature of the condition. They can also be expensive and lead to side effects. For these reasons many Australians (about 21%) turn to using complementary medicines alongside mainstream medications to help control their symptoms (1).

How does Chinese Medicine treat IBS?

As a complementary medicine, Chinese Medicine is well suited to deal with IBS because it has a multifactorial approach to diagnosis and treatment. Chinese Medicine is always individualised, and the treatment given to one person with IBS will be different to the treatment given to another. Research has shown individualised herbal formulas to have longer term effects on reducing IBS symptoms than non-individualised treatment (4). 

Before treatment the Chinese Medicine practitioner will assess the imbalance occurring in your body that is leading to the symptoms you are experiencing. They will look at the state of Yin and Yang in the digestive tract, how food is being broken down and absorbed by your body, and the movement of Qi to identify any places where Qi might be getting stuck and causing you pain.

After assessing the state of imbalance in your body, the Chinese Medicine practitioner will use acupuncture, herbal medicine, and moxibustion to correct the imbalance.

Acupuncture is used to soothe the flow of Qi, move what is stuck, and balance imbalances in the body. Herbal medicine is used to either cool or warm the intestines, lubricate the intestines, or clear dampness in the body depending on the symptoms. Moxibustion will be used in some cases to warm the bowel and to reduce inflammation.

Abdominal pain related to IBS is usually due to Qi or blood stagnating in the abdomen. This could be due to their being a blockage further down the digestive system in the intestines (for IBS-C), or an aching emptiness caused by rapid stool evacuation (IBS-D). Either way, treatment would focus on soothing the flow of Qi and blood in the abdominal area, relieving pain and bloating.

Research has indicated that all three modalities may be effective in reducing the severity of IBS symptoms when used alone or alongside conventional treatments (4,5, 6, 7).

Herbal medicine in comparison to a placebo, was demonstrated by researchers in Australia to lead to a significant improvement in IBS severity as rated by gastroenterologists (4). Furthermore, Australian researchers from [x] institute/university found that Herbal Medicine improved IBS symptom severity score, stool consistency and straining in comparison to placebo (1). Further abroad, 6 carried out research that compared Acupuncture to standard Western Medicine treatment. They found that Acupuncture may be more effective than PEG 4000 or pinaverium bromide for the treatment of IBS, with effects lasting up to 12 weeks (6). Their 12-week protocol saw a significantly greater IBS severity score reduction in comparison to the group who received just medication (6). Despite these promising results, many of these researchers have emphasised the need for further studies to confirm the efficacy of acupuncture, moxibustion, and Chinese herbal medicine for IBS.

As a chronic syndrome, Chinese medicine treatment for IBS should be regular for two-three months for best effects. Chinese medicine is a cumulative medicine, meaning effects strengthen with treatment over time. Therefore, sustained treatment allows the imbalances in your bodyto be corrected. IBS can be a frustrating and life impacting condition. Due to the limited ability of mainstream healthcare to provide symptom relief, it may be worth considering if Chinese medicine could help provide greater symptom relief when used in conjunction with your regular medication. If you or someone you know are suffering with IBS symptoms, relief might be around the corner. Please feel free to reach out for advice or to discuss if Chinese medicine might be right for you.

References:

 (1) Bensoussan, A., Kellow, J.E., Bourchier, S.J., Fahey, P., Shim, L., Malcolm, A. & Boyce, P. (2015). Efficcacy of a Chinese Herbal Medicine in Providing Adequate Relief of Constipation-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol, 13(11), pp 1946-1956. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2015.06.022

(2) Healthdirect Australia. (2025). Irritable bowel syndrome. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs

(3) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). (2025). Irritable bowel syndrome. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20360064

(4) Bensoussan, A., Talley, N.J., Hing, M., Mensies, R., Guo, A. & Ngu, M. (1998). Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with Chinese herbal medicine: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA, 280(18), pp 1585-1589. doi: 10.1001/jama.280.18.1585

(5) Zhao, J., Zheng, H., Wang, X., Wang, X., Shi, Y., Xie, C., Tao, Q., Li, D., Sun, J., Tian, J., Gao, J., Liu, H., Shi, S., Ni, J., Xue, R., Hu, H., Chen, M., Yu, S. & Li, Z. (2024). Efficacy of acupuncture in refractory irritable bowel syndrome patients: a randomized controlled trial. Front Med, 18(4), pp 678-689. doi: 10.1007/s11684-024-1073-7

(6) Pei, L., Geng, H., Guo, J., Yang, G., Wang, L., Shen, R., Xia, S., Ding, M., Feng, H., Lu, J., Li, J., Liu, L., Shu, Y., Fang, X., Wu, X., Wang, X., Weng, S., Ju, L., Chen, X., Shen, H. Sun, J. (2020). Effect of Acupuncture in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Mayo Clin Proc, 95(8), pp 1671-1636. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2020.01.042

(7) Qi, L.Y., Yang, J.W., Yan, S.Y., Tu, J.F., She, Y.F., Li, Y., Chi, L.L., Wu, B.Q. & Liu, C.Z. (2022). Acupuncture for the Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open, 5(12). doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.48817

(8) Liang, S.B., Cheng, H.J., Zhang, Q.Y., Han, M., Li, Y.F., Cao, H.J., Yu, Z.Y., Jong, L.Y., Cai, Y.M., An, L.B., Zhao, B.T., Xu, S.S., Yan, L., Zhang, N.W., Jia, B.Y., Liu, W.F., Niu, F., Wu, B.T., Song, J.M., Jia, S.X., Shi, M.M., Zhang, X.N., Chung, V.C.H., Robinson, N. & Liu, J.P. (2025). Chinese herbal formula Tongxie Yaofang granules for diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled, phase II trial. BMJ Open, 15(1). doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-088410