Antimicrobial Herbs For SIBO (Natural Treatment)
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SIBO is a common digestive tract condition. It is becoming easier to detect due to advancements in more accessible testing. Although it can be frustrating because symptoms of SIBO often overlap with many other health issues.
This is another reason it is sometimes overlooked. However, breath tests allow patients to be better informed so treatment plans can be implemented to get the gut microbiome back on track.
SIBO is something both my daughter and I had to tackle. We have firsthand experience at the best ways to handle SIBO so your immune system can become stronger. We chose a natural course of treatment over pharmaceutical antibiotics and herbs were at the forefront of this treatment.
What is SIBO?
SIBO is short for small intestinal bacteria overgrowth. It is a gastrointestinal condition where the bacteria in the small intestine is imbalanced. The small intestine has an excess amount of bacteria.
This overgrowth interferes with the body's absorption of nutrients. Additionally, this bacteria overload causes unpleasant symptoms in the digestive system.
The gut's microflora (the microorganisms that live in the gut such as beneficial bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc.) can be a determining factor for SIBO development.
Additionally, certain species of bacteria may give off toxins when SIBO exists. This can interfere with the gut lining. It is important to properly target SIBO so the body's microbiome can become balanced again. Antimicrobial herbs help do this.
Different Types of SIBO
Methane Dominant SIBO
- There is an overgrowth of methane-producing bacteria in the small intestine.
Hydrogen Dominant SIBO
- There is an overgrowth of hydrogen-producing bacteria in the small intestine.
Mixed Methane and Hydrogen SIBO
- The small intestine has an overgrowth of both methane-producing and hydrogen-producing bacteria in the small intestine.
Hydrogen Sulfide Dominant SIBO
- This is when an excess of hydrogen exists and is sulfide created from the hydrogen-producing bacteria in the small intestine.
There is also a condition similar to SIBO but called SIFO. It stands for small intestinal fungal overgrowth. This is when there is an overgrowth of fungus in the small intestine instead of bacteria.
This breath test is an easy and accurate way to test for both Hydrogen and Methane producing SIBO. Another highly reliable test from a reputable company is this one from Genova Diagnostics. However, this breath test needs to be ordered through a physician's request.
Symptoms of SIBO
Symptoms of SIBO vary according to the individual. Many symptoms may be present or someone may only experience one or two. The severity of the symptoms varies as well. Common symptoms of SIBO are as follows:
- Brain fog
- Sleep disruptions
- Fatigue
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Anxiety
- Abdominal pain
- Belching
- Indigestion
According to some research, SIBO can express additional outward symptoms such as the following:
- Anemia
- Interstitial Cystitis - a condition that causes chronic pain and discomfort in the bladder and pelvic causing frequent urination.
- Restless Leg Syndrome
- Mood and Behavior Disorders
- Joint Pain and Stiffness
- Rosacea
- Polyneuropathy
Best Antimicrobial Herbs For SIBO
Oregano is one of the primary herbs used by practitioners to treat and kill off SIBO. One reason for this is because of its ability to stop the growth of and kill intestinal microbes. This herb is antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and a natural antibiotic.
It has proven to be effective in successfully treating SIBO. Additionally, it is beneficial in killing both methane-producing and hydrogen-producing bacteria, both of which cause small intestine bacterial overgrowth. However, it has been indicated in research that oregano may be slightly more effective with hydrogen-based SIBO.
Oregano oil has been found in studies to be equally effective as certain antibiotics in the treatment of SIBO and work when the antibiotic Rifaximin has not. This is important because Refaximin's side effects are more extensive and disruptive to the gut's microbiome and health of the body than oregano oil.
Another herb known for its antimicrobial properties to treat both methane and hydrogen-producing SIBO is Neem. It has successfully alleviated small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in studies alongside other herbal antimicrobials.
A case study found in this integrative medicine journal demonstrates Neem's success. The study shows an 8 year old girl's SIBO symptoms went away after 1 week of using neem and allicin (found in garlic).
Neem extract destroys harmful bacteria. Some of this bacteria includes E. Coli and Staph aureus. However, neem also helps beneficial bacteria (good bacteria) to grow and thrive in the gut and small intestine due to the polyphenols it contains.
This makes neem a potent and effective herb for gut health in the treatment of SIBO. It kills the bad bacteria and grows the good.
We are used to consuming garlic as a clove or in dried powder form. However, garlic in whole form is not what is used to treat SIBO. Instead, the component allicin is extracted from garlic and used to kill the harmful gut bacteria.
Garlic contains oligosaccharides. Some people are not able to tolerate oligosaccharides, and this makes garlic problematic for these SIBO patients. However, taking out the element that is helpful in treating SIBO and using only that alleviates the problem.
Allicin is known to help methane-dominant SIBO. Therefore, it is important to know which type of SIBO needs to be treated prior to giving them supplements. A breath test is able to decipher the types of SIBO that are problematic.
Free radicals, oxidative stress, and imbalanced gut flora causes gut inflammation. Cat's Claw has anti-inflammatory properties that effectively reduce inflammation due to bacterial inflammations. This herb can help control side effects due to toxin die off during the healing process.
Bitter orange is another herb that helps eliminate the overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. It speeds up movement in the gut, also known as a prokinetic herb.
According to Herbalist Todd Mansfield, methane in the gut slows down "gut transit" time. This makes the microbiome favorable to methane bacteria and fungal overgrowth.
When herbal remedies such as bitter orange are added to a SIBO treatment regimen, there is less methane gas produced. This helps the other herbal supplements in the treatment plan to adequately do their job in killing the bacteria causing SIBO.
Peppermint oil is shown in studies to effectively treat gastrointestinal symptoms. This evidence has led this herb to be used in the treatment of both Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and SIBO.
Also, peppermint calms the digestive tract and the nerves. This is helpful due to the link between stress and anxiety and digestive inflammation. Additionally, peppermint's antimicrobial properties fight SIBO bacteria to better balance gut health.
Although the oil from peppermint (menthol) is focused on a used often in combating bacteria growth, it is often more helpful to use the whole peppermint leaf. This is because while menthol effectively inhibits bacteria growth, the leaf contains elements like tannins, polyphenols, and flavanoids that also combat SIBO and its symptoms.
Another herb that shows promising effects against SIBO is wormwood. The active compounds in wormwood make it a valuable in herbal treatment for clearing SIBO.
Treatments of herbal supplements that include the herb wormwood have been given to patients in studies. Many of the patients were able to effectively fight SIBO due to the treatment.
Not only does it kill harmful bacteria, it increases bile production and helps with digestion. People often experience less bloating and digestive upset when taking this herb.
Black walnut is another antimicrobial herb, often combined with wormwood, used to fight SIBO. Black walnut has been shown to effectively stop the growth of a bacteria called staphylococcus. This bacteria is a common, if not the primary, one found in patients diagnosed with SIBO.
Barberry Root Extract
Barberry root extract contains berberine, the chemical that is discussed further below. This herb can help with SIBO symptoms such as constipation or diarrhea, inflammation, stomach pain, or even loss of appetite.
Another herb that contains the compound berberine is Goldenseal. It also helps with digestive disturbances such as diarrhea and constipation. Also, it is effective against bacteria conditions such as H. Pylori and yeast overgrowth - symptoms often present or correlated with SIBO patients.
Berberine is not an herb itself but instead a component in certain herbs. It is found in herbs such as oregano grape extract, and goldenseal. It stops the production of harmful bacteria without disrupting the gut's flora.
It also strengthens the gut lining and facilitates the movement of food through the digestive tract. Lastly, berberine decreases inflammation, making it an effective treatment against SIBO.
Other Natural Supplements Helpful For SIBO
Other supplements are proven beneficial in the treatment of SIBO as well. Some of these supplements are antimicrobials, some help with gut digestion and gut motility, some add beneficial bacteria to balance the microbiome of the gut, and others are nutrients that are depleted as a result of SIBO. All are important for a healthy gut microbiome.
Grapefruit Seed Extract - Antibacterial, antimicrobial, antibacterial, helps kill bacteria, parasites, fungus, and lessens inflammation
Vitamin C - An antioxidant, strengthens the immune system
NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) - An amino acid, helps with biofilm (an organism that forms a matrix and can be hard to treat)disruption
Probiotic Supplements - Add beneficial bacteria into the gut which helps balance the microbiome of the gut.
Digestive Enzymes - This supplement helps you to better break down food which will help with inflammation and gut motility
Zinc - Many patients with SIBO lack zinc due to poor absorption
Quercetin - Helps to lower inflammation
Why NOT Antibiotics?
- According to research and studies, success is variable and limited.
- Antibiotics kill off both the beneficial and harmful bacteria.
- Beneficial bacteria is limited with SIBO already. Killing it off will allow for SIBO to potentially come back more easily.
- Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other harmful organisms can become resistant to antibiotic use making this treatment no longer effective.
- People who have weakened immune systems are more susceptible to other infections occuring due to a weakend immune system from the antibiotics.
This post informed you about what SIBO is, the different types of sIBO, the best antimicrobial herbs for SIBO, and why it is best to take a natural treatment approach.
- Achufusi, T. G. O., Sharma, A., Zamora, E. A., & Manocha, D. (2020). Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth: Comprehensive Review of Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment Methods. Cureus, 12(6), e8860. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.8860
- Dukowicz, A. C., Lacy, B. E., & Levine, G. M. (2007). Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: a comprehensive review. Gastroenterology & hepatology, 3(2), 112–122.
- Dukowicz, A. C., Lacy, B. E., & Levine, G. M. (2007). Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: a comprehensive review. Gastroenterology & hepatology, 3(2), 112–122.
- Chedid, V., Dhalla, S., Clarke, J. O., Roland, B. C., Dunbar, K. B., Koh, J., Justino, E., Tomakin, E., & Mullin, G. E. (2014). Herbal therapy is equivalent to rifaximin for the treatment of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Global advances in health and medicine, 3(3), 16–24. https://doi.org/10.7453/gahmj.2014.019
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/antibiotics/art-20045720
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/interstitial-cystitis
- Chedid V, Dhalla S, Clarke JO, et al. Herbal Therapy is Equivalent to Rifaximin for the Treatment of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. Global Advances in Health and Medicine. 2014;3(3):16-24. doi:10.7453/gahmj.2014.019
- Reynolds KH. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: a case-based review. J Patient Cent Res Rev. 2015;2:165-173. doi: 10.17294/2330-0698.1209
- https://www.ibsclinics.co.uk/berberine-and-sibo/
- https://foodmarble.com/articles/herbal-remedies-for-sibo/?srsltid=AfmBOooWvRr8txstMnYCmJn-91rcZbGuoKAsFl2EkWoMezch_WbNHb8O
- https://institutionalrepository.aah.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1209&context=jpcrr
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1046/j.1365-2036.1998.00424.x
- https://altmedrev.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/v7-5-410.pdf
- https://draxe.com/nutrition/wormwood/
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