Best Herbs and Essential Oils for SIBO
August 09, 2022
Antibacterial compounds are essential for getting rid of SIBO. People often use synthetically made antibacterial medications for treating SIBO. While these are powerful antibiotics, they also have many negative consequences. These substances can wreak havoc on your gut health, as they often destroy the good bacteria in your gut.
Because of this, many people seek healthy herbal alternatives that still have potent antimicrobial properties but are less harmful to the body and the gut microbiome. This article will discuss the best herbs for SIBO and essential oils for SIBO.
What Is SIBO?
SIBO stands for small bacterial intestinal overgrowth. It is a digestive condition that occurs when bacteria in the small intestine grow beyond healthy levels. This can be any bacteria, but most commonly, this condition is characterized by increased pathogenic bacteria not native to the digestive tract. To learn more about this common digestive condition, read this blog.
How Do You Get Rid of SIBO?
To eliminate SIBO, you must take antimicrobial supplements to kill off bacterial overgrowth. It is also recommended to follow a SIBO cleanse diet that removes the foods that feed bacteria and allows them to proliferate in the gut. While each case will differ based on the severity of the infection, it is recommended to follow this protocol for around 90 days or until the infection clears. Following a SIBO cleanse with a round of probiotics is also recommended to restore healthy gut bacteria.
What Are the Best Herbs for SIBO?
There are many different antimicrobial herbs to kill SIBO with. Below, we will discuss the best antimicrobial herbs for SIBO:
1. Pomegranate Peel
Pomegranate peel is one of the best SIBO herbs. The entire pomegranate plant is powerfully antimicrobial, including the bark, fruit, and leaves. The pomegranate peel, however, has the greatest concentration of antimicrobial compounds, with an extensive range of action against multiple pathogens.
2. Green Black Walnut Hulls
Black walnut has been used for centuries to eliminate harmful organisms in the colon. The outer hull of the green, or unripe, walnut has the most potent antibacterial effects. Green black walnut hulls are one of the oldest remedies for parasites. They are also helpful in creating a gut environment that is unfavorable to fungi. Supplementing with green, black walnut hulls short-term can rid the gut of many pathogens, including the pathogenic bacteria responsible for SIBO.
3. Oregon Grape Root
Oregon grape is a shrub with small spiked leaves that grows in the understory of many Pacific Northwest forests. The roots of this plant are packed with a chemical called berberine. This compound has been widely studied for its antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial effects. This herb can be used for a wide range of pathogens. It is beneficial for getting rid of Candida and pathogenic bacteria in the gut.
4. Garlic
Garlic is a common food spice with a delicious flavor. It has also been used as a traditional remedy for many different ailments. Garlic contains a compound in it called allicin that has many medicinal properties. Among its many properties, allicin is highly antibiotic. Therefore, eating crushed raw garlic daily is a great way to kill off harmful bacteria and support a SIBO cleanse.
5. Oregano
Oregano is another common food spice native to the Mediterranean. However, it is also highly medicinal. Oregano contains two potent antibacterial compounds that work synergistically to fight off a wide range of pathogens and support overall immune health. The two compounds responsible for oregano’s medicinal properties are thymol and carvacrol. Both of these compounds have been studied extensively for their medicinal uses. They are particularly effective for getting rid of harmful organisms in the body like parasites, Candida, and pathogenic bacteria.
6. Neem
Neem is a powerful medicinal herb. This tree is native to India and has been used for centuries as a medicinal herb for various uses. This tree is said to have over 300 different medicinal uses. No wonder it has often been considered “nature’s pharmacy.” The neem tree leaves are used as medicine and contain the most potent antibacterial properties. So if you want to get rid of SIBO, neem is a great herb.
7. Cloves
Cloves are another popular food spice with many medicinal properties. Like green black walnut hulls, cloves have been a popular remedy for parasites and other pathogenic infections in the gut. In addition, cloves contain a compound called eugenol, which has been shown to have potent antimicrobial properties. These properties can help to eliminate the overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine that is characteristic of SIBO.
What Are the Best Essential Oils for SIBO?
In addition to using diet and herbs for SIBO, some people use essential oils to treat SIBO. While essential oils for SIBO can undoubtedly be effective, essential oils are highly concentrated. So, if you choose to use SIBO essential oils, do so with caution. Make sure only to use food-grade essential oils, as the ones, not food-grade can potentially be harmful. Additionally, only use 1 or 2 drops of essential oils at a time when using them internally, and be sure to dilute them in water—they are that powerful!
When it comes to SIBO and essential oils, the best essential oils to use are:
1. Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is one of the most medicinal plant oils on the planet. The essential oil of oregano is highly concentrated, so only a tiny amount is needed. As mentioned in the section on herbs above, oregano oil contains the compounds carvacrol and thymol, which are both potent antimicrobial chemicals. These compounds are highly concentrated and, therefore, very potent in the essential oil. While you can get essential oregano oil, you can also purchase oregano oil extracted in a carrier oil (usually olive oil). Oregano oil is just as potent as essential oregano oil and is usually much safer to consume. Again, with all essential oils, you use internally, be sure they are food-grade and only use small amounts at a time.
2. Thyme Oil
Thyme is another food spice and medicinal herb with antimicrobial properties. This Mediterranean herb also contains the antimicrobial compound thymol. In its essential oil form, it is highly concentrated and effective. However, you can add thyme to your food or soak it in water to make a thyme tea. It can be gentler to reap the antibacterial benefits than the concentrated essential oil.
3. Tarragon Oil
Tarragon, also known as estragon, is a perennial herb with many culinary and medicinal uses. It is widespread in the wild across much of Eurasia and North America. Tarragon contains the active compound methyl eugenol, shown in clinical research to be highly antibacterial. Food-grade tarragon essential oil may help eliminate bacterial infections like SIBO, as it creates a very inhospitable environment for bacteria in the intestinal tract when consumed.
4. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is an everyday essential oil that has many uses. It is used in aromatherapy, has topical applications, and can even be used internally in small amounts when it is a food-grade essential oil. Peppermint oil is composed primarily of menthol, menthone, and several other minor constituents, including menthofuran, 1,8-cineole, and limonene. Menthol is well-known for its antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties and can help eliminate SIBO.
5. Clove Oil
As mentioned earlier, cloves are rich in the compound eugenol. This compound is highly concentrated in clove essential oil. In its food-grade form, this essential oil can effectively kill bacterial overgrowths like SIBO.
Summary
SIBO is a condition in which bacteria grow beyond healthy levels in the small intestine, leading to an infection. This infection can throw off balance in the gut microbiome and have many adverse health effects if not treated.
To get rid of SIBO, it is recommended to take antibacterial supplements and follow a SIBO cleanse diet. The herbs and essential oils mentioned in this article are the best to eliminate SIBO.
Suppose you are concerned that you may have a SIBO infection. In that case, it is recommended to consult with your doctor right away to be correctly diagnosed. Your doctor can also work with you to devise a treatment plan for you.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546634/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878535211000232
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551727/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5483461/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29744941/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4503092/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32207097/
Products mentioned in this post
True Health Starts with Feeding the Body
