BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Stomach Issues Sleepytime tea, lemongrass, chamomile, mint, etc.

Hi - I've been suffering with IBS for about 13 years (I'm 35). In the last 5-6 years, it's been horrible. I like to kayak, and there's nothing worse than having to "pull over" when there's nothing but water between you and the shore, especially when there are other kayakers around. I've even thrown up several times from the cramping, etc., once in my car all over myself while I was driving alone. The pain can be unbearable. I've had to do lamaze in the car while my husband raced home to try and get me into the bathroom. Sometimes I'll wake up in the morning and I won't even be able to stand up straight because of my back pain. I have had all the testing done, and IBS was my diagnosis. I usually can't eat fats or dairy - at least that's how it seems, but with IBS, it seems like the rules are always changing. After so many years of trial and error, the only thing that gives me relief - the *ONLY THING*, even above eating a healthy diet that is low in fat and dairy - is tea, particularly Sleepytime tea which has chamomile, mint, and lemongrass altogether. (No, I do not work for the company that makes it, which I will not name. So, if you are unconvinced, you can try mixing chamomile, indian lemongrass, and mint together and see if that helps). It's so helpful for me, that I wanted to post a message to others out there who have had the same kinds of problems. There's nothing like having a set of symptoms and not ever being able to find a solution, despite years of doctors, test, diets, etc. (I've even done the FODMAPS diet, which helped only slightly for about 2 weeks and then stopped working). Basically, when I notice symptoms starting up, I will drink the tea several times a day, and eventually the symptoms will subside. I'm talking like 8-10 cups, as much as I can get in. Then, after the symptoms subside, I will still drink the tea every day, preferably as often as possible, although I've gone days without drinking it (which is probably not a good idea). The interesting thing is that, I can sometimes even get away with eating bad fats as long as I am drinking ample amounts of this kind of tea. I don't recommend it, but I've done it. I could *never* get away with fatty foods before. Well, I hope this helps someone out there, and if you have any other good ideas for managing IBS, please post them for all to try. Thanks for listening!

This is very interesting. I am so glad you found a solution for you! I wonder if it's any of the three herbs, or the combination. Have you tried experimenting that way?

I love Sleepytime tea. I love chamomile tea most of all.

Yes, I have actually. I had tried chamomile by itself and found that it didn't work as well. Then, I tried mint, and it works a little better than chamomile, I think. Sometimes I will put them together when I run out of Sleepytime. But, because the mint and the chamomile only work somewhat, I decided to check out the other ingredients and noticed the West Indian Lemongrass. It's very hard to find lemongrass tea, so I ordered some online. Still don't think it works as well as the combination. So, I'm sticking with what works. Not sure I really understand it, but hey...what can you do?

Perhaps you found a good option for your remedy. Proper breathing & stomach muscle exercises can improve the situation if can be maintained properly. If you take little hot water (room temperature) while drinking, it could help you a lot.