Iberogast Reviewed
If you struggle with stomach issues like IBS, SIBO, or really any stomach problem you may be familiar with testing different products to find the one that can really make a difference in your quality of life.
Unfortunately, most people have to test a lot of different products to find the ones that help them the most.
One of the products that has stood the test of time and has been proven effective in numerous scientific studies to help people with IBS and motility disorders is called Iberogast.
In this article, we will review Iberogast and go over what exactly it is, what ingredients it is made of, how it can be effective for conditions like IBS and other motility disorders, and why this may be one you should try. It has helped a lot of people!
What is Iberogast?
Iberogast ® is the trade name for a commercial multicomponent herbal preparation that is also known as STW 5. There are numerous herbal components that make up STW 5.
Iberogast Ingredients:
- Iberis amara totalis recents (bitter candytuft) extract
- Angelicae radix (Angelica root extract)
- Cardui mariae fructus (Milk thistle fruit)
- Carvi fructus (Caraway fruit)
- Chelidonii herba (Celandine)
- Liquiritiae radix (Liquorice root)
- Matricariae flos (German chamomile flower)
- Melissae folium (Lemon balm leaf)
- Menthae Piperitae folium (Peppermint leaf)
- Ethanol (alcohol) content of 31%1
The specific extracts that comprise STW 5 are well known for their ability to improve intestinal symptoms by regulating gastrointestinal (GI) motility, stimulating gastric secretion, exerting anti-inflammatory effects within the GI tract, promoting secretions from the liver (choleretic effects), relieving muscle spasms within the GI tract (spasmolytic effects) and much more 1.
While each of the plant extracts that are found in STW 5 exhibits their own beneficial effects for the treatment of GI disorders, the combination of each of these extracts has been shown to specifically improve the outcome of patients as compared to using any of the extracts alone.
STW 5 has been used to treat various GI disorders for over 40 years, during which various clinical studies have been performed to evaluate whether STW 5 shows significant improvement in patients with a wide range of GI issues, primarily those with functional dyspepsia (FD), ulcerative colitis (UC), IBS, gastroesophageal reflux disease, heartburn and several others.
Overall, patients have been shown to tolerate Iberogast (STW 5) very well, and the efficacy of this drug, when used for the treatment of certain diseases, has proven to be equally as effective as certain pharmaceutical products without risking the patients to the adverse effects of these types of medications.
Iberogast for Motility Problems
Table 1: Scientific studies investigating the efficacy of Iberogast ® for the treatment of certain gastrointestinal disorders.
| DISEASE | PURPOSE OF STUDY | RESULTS | SOURCE |
| Functional Dyspepsia | Compare Iberogast and Cisapride |
|
Rosch et al., 2002 |
| Non-ulcer Dyspepsia (NUD) | Overall efficacy of Iberogast for dyspeptic symptoms and pain management |
|
Buchert, 1994 |
| Functional Dyspepsia | Investigate the efficacy of Iberogast |
|
Madisch et al., 2001 |
| Irritable Bowel Syndrome | Compare the efficacy of STW (9 extracts) to STW 5-II (6 extracts) and bitty candytuft mono-extract treatment in patients with IBS |
|
Madisch et al., 2004 |
Iberogast for IBS & SIBO
While irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was previously thought of as being a strictly functional disorder, the increasing amount of research being performed on this complex disorder has determined that a variety of factors play a role in promoting this disorder.
For example, there is strong evidence that suggests that IBS can arise from disturbances in various cellular, biochemical or microbiological levels.
Aside from improving a patient’s quality of life by understanding diet and potential food intolerances that may trigger their IBS symptoms to flare, there has also been an increasing amount of research dedicated to natural remedies that may provide symptomatic relief for patients with IBS.
Since inflammatory and oxidative stress processes within the body have been shown to play a significant role in the symptoms of IBS, STW 5, due to its anti-inflammatory and modulatory effects on GI motility, is an ideal treatment option for patients with IBS.
Iberogast for Dyspepsia
Functional dyspepsia (FD), which can otherwise be referred to as non-ulcer dyspepsia, is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders. Common symptoms of FD include:
- Heartburn
- Dyspepsia
- Fullness in the upper abdomen
- Feeling full quickly
- Bloating
- Epigastric (above the stomach) pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
People with FD are often prescribed drugs that are meant to promote the motility of their stomachs or suppress the acid production in their GI tracts, which is especially useful for individuals who have ulcer-like dyspepsia.
Since patients with FD typically have to take these drugs throughout their lives to acquire any type of symptomatic relief, there has been an increased interest in finding herbal medications that may help relieve some of their painful symptoms.
A number of clinical studies, as shown in Table 1, illustrate the efficacy of Iberogast (STW 5) in treating patients with FD.
Iberogast Recommended Dosage
Depending upon the age and severity of your symptoms, Iberogast ® can be taken up to three times a day according to the specific dosages as shown in Table 2.
To take Iberogast®, the specific amount of drops of the liquid can be diluted in a small amount of liquid, such as water, tea or juice. The diluted Iberogast® drink should then be consumed before or during meals.
If you still feel severe symptoms after continuously taking your Iberogast ® treatment for at least seven days, it is recommended that you speak with your doctor 2.
Table 2: Recommended dosage for Iberogast ®.
| AGE | DOSAGE | DURATION |
| 3-5 years | 10 drops | Up to 3X a day |
| 6-12 years | 15 drops | Up to 3X a day |
| 13+ years | 20 drops | Up to 3X a day |
Where to Buy Iberogast
Iberogast ® can be found in pharmacies and selected food stores across the country including Amazon. It does not require a prescription and is a 100% natural product.
If you’re dealing with any of these gastrointestinal conditions it may be worth trying Iberogast to see if it helps your symptoms.