أضخم موقع علمي صحي موثق في العالم لسعادة العائلة وصحتها, بالعلم والإيمان نبني الميزان

Abstract Multiple herb mixtures have been used as traditional and folk medicine in numerous cultures around the world for hundreds of years, including for the control of symptoms relating to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). With a UK prevalence rate of 10.5%, IBS is the most common diagnosis within gastroenterology clinics and the health, social, financial and psychological burden on the individual and society is a significant burden. Anecdotal evidence leads many patients to use multiple herb mixtures for the relief of symptoms, particularly as the evidence suggests that current pharmaceutical interventions have limited success. It was apparent that a systematic review of the research evidence of using multiple herb mixtures to control the symptoms of IBS might better inform both medical professionals and patients in their use. To this end a systematic search was undertaken to identify relevant published research. Ten eligible studies were subsequently systematically analyzed using an adapted CASP framework and a narrative description of the pertinent results provided. All the reviewed studies provided a highlight, of varying significance, that the use of multiple herb mixtures can be safe and effective in controlling a variety of the symptoms of IBS, including abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, abnormal bowel habits, colic and general GIT symptoms. However none of the studies made reference to non-GIT symptoms such as anxiety, depression, insomnia and sexual dysfunction and it is therefore apparent that further long-term studies are needed to encourage the evidence-based use of multiple herb mixtures for the control of all IBS symptoms. Analyzing these studies in the light of literature review, revealed multiple important factors that should be considered into account when performing studies on multiple herb mixture use on IBS symptoms. These factors may play an important role in pathogenicity, severity of symptoms, prognosis and outcome of IBS trials. Some of these factors can be considered as influencing variables affect the methodology designs, data collection, data analysis and the expected outcomes. It is significant to put these factors into consideration when performing replicable similar clinical trials using multiple herbs to control IBS symptoms.