Herbs for Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

My husband and I have a medical problem called irritable bowel syndrome. I was told to drink 1/2 ounce of aloe vera juice with 1/8 teaspoon of ginger 1/4 teaspoon of slippery elm. Should we do this every morning? For how many days? Or should we do this forever?

Irritable bowel syndrome, which may include symptoms of abdominal pain, flatulence, alternating constipation and diarrhea and the passing of mucus between stools, results from bowel spasms. It is usually related to the nervous system, often accompanying stress, and is often triggered by food sensitivities, especially to dairy beef products. It is important to work with the underlying cause. Herbal treatment, when working with the cause of the health problem, is usually short term, and works with dietary and lifestyle changes until the healing benefits are realized.
In irritable bowel, abdominal pain and alternating constipation and diarrhea are caused by bowel spasms. Aloe vera and slippery elm bark are soothing and healing. Ginger is anti-inflammatory and promotes good digestion. A good herbal protocol would include antispasmodic herbs to control bowel spasms, astringent herbs to curb diarrhea and relaxing herbs for the nervous system if stress or tension is a factor. Please see our web page at www.richters.com for information on diet and herbs typically recommended for irritable bowel syndrome. Choose "Q&A" from the main menu, and enter "irritable" for the search.