Complementary and alternative medicine in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A Pilot Study

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is considered a chronic functional bowel disorder that causes abdominal pain, bloating, alternating diarrhea and constipation without affecting structural and biochemical components. Recent reports suggest that irritable bowel syndrome patients have psychological associations. A higher correlation of anxiety and depression with the onset of irritable bowel syndrome has been observed. Psychological treatments and pharmacotherapies have been used for the management of IBS comorbidities such as anxiety and sleep deprivation. Traditional medicine has been used for the treatment of various psychological disorders. Especially Kava kava Ext. (Piper methysticum), which contains kavalactones as an active ingredient, is very effective in treating anxiety, insomnia and depressive disorders. In this study, we have evaluated the effect of Kava kava on alleviating anxiety and promoting sleep in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. It was a prospective, observational, single-center study conducted on 52 IBS patients. All of them were given a 500 mg capsule of Kava kava Ext. (Piper methysticum) for 4 weeks, twice a day. The result showed a significant reduction in anxiety and improved sleep quality with the use of Kava kava in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome among patients. This study provides good evidence in support of Kava kava Ext. (Piper methysticum) for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.