Natural Remedies for IBS Flare-Ups: Sweat, Detox, and Gut Support

In search of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) flare up relief? I am no stranger to bloating and digestive pain. This is something I struggled with since I can remember. Western doctors were never really helpful, and neither were the prescription drugs they offered. 

Fortunately, I met Dr. Juliana King, DACM, a Functional Medicine Doctor who uses her background in Chinese Medicine and Personal Coaching to develop unique plans for her patients, rather than a blanketed, one sized fits all approach. 

Adopting her holistic approach, diet and lifestyle changes, getting more curious about what my body is trying to tell me, and understanding the power of nervous system healing, have kept me generally symptom free! 

The days of not being able to make plans are OVER! Here are the natural remedies and practices I used for years for my IBS flare ups, along with things I always keep in my arsenal: 

Sweat It Out to Reduce Bloating

Sweating supports the body to push out toxins that might otherwise be trapped and unable to be processed by your digestion. Look, I get it, the last thing anyone wants to do when they're writhing on the floor in pain, is to go move the body. Here are my go-tos when I can’t quite be active: 

• Sauna benefits your body by widening your blood vessels, getting your heart rate up and circulating fresh oxygen via the blood throughout the body, this aids in breaking down inflammation and in releasing toxins that might have otherwise been trapped, via the skin pores. If you can find an Infrared Sauna with Red Light Therapy - even better - they have the power to penetrate 7 layers deep, supporting organ detox. 
• Hot Bath or body of water - I don't recommend a chlorine hot tub, but if that's all you have... ideally a very hot bath (with a water filter) and you can add household salt (preferably sea salt, no anti caking agents or iodine), magnesium salts, or even zeolite to provide the body with extra detox support and electrolytes. 
• PEMF Mat or heating pad - these take longer to break a sweat but boy do they help! Bon Charge makes my favorite PEMF mat because it also has infrared and near infrared red lights. They can be pricey, but your local pharmacy has very affordable heating pads that truly do help. 

*Be sure to rehydrate and remineralize when you sweat! I love to do this with our refreshing Kiwi Lemonade Gut-Skin Electrolytes. Seriously I chug it! Then I have zero lightheadedness. 

The Power of Castor Oil Packs

Queen of Thrones is the best. I only recommend using organic oils packaged in glass and organic cloths! The skin is the largest organ and we don't want to reintroduce toxins, microplastics, chemicals, or pesticides to it in the name of wellness. Be weary of doing a castor oil pack or sweating out toxins without taking...

Binders for Gut-Support

Taking binders like Activated Charcoal, found in your nearest pharmacy aisle, or Cell Core, will oftentimes nip it in the bud and support you in reducing your nausea, bloating, or pain very fast. These pills bind to whatever is wreaking havoc on your system and they drag it out. 

Hot Tea

Mint, ginger or chamomile tea (organic please) are soothing and relaxing for the gut without adding pressure to your digestion. I will mix 1 or 1/2 a serving of Preme’s Unflavored Gentle Prebiotics to encourage movement in my bowels and support my body's natural detox pathways. 

Magnesium Spray

Sometimes my flare up is simply from stress and my stomach is cramping. The fastest way to solve cramping is with magnesium - oftentimes the way my intestines respond best is with a high quality spray. 

Digestive Enzymes

Digestive enzyme production naturally declines with age. Adding a digestive enzyme supplement helps support digestion, alleviating gas and bloating symptoms, plus they improve nutrient absorption. Our Kiwi Lemonade Electrolytes contain digestive enzymes that specifically aid in protein digestion. So if you’re bloated after eating beans or meat - these will help! 

Ready to soothe your gut and support your body? Explore Preme's Unflavored Gentle Prebiotic Fiber for relief and Preme's Kiwi Lemonade Electrolytes to support your digestion via hydration.