Patients suffering from gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorders that are not responsive to conventional therapies may turn to herbal medicines for relief.

Japanese scientists reviewed data on Japanese herbal medicines and concluded they were effective in reducing the symptoms of GI disorders such as dyspepsia, constipation and postoperative ileus.

They looked at a range of products, including those containing Rikkunshi-to and Dai-Kenchu-to. The former was effective in reducing discomfort caused by functional dyspepsia while the latter, a mixture of ginseng, ginger and zanthoxylum fruit, was beneficial for constipation in children and patients suffering a disruption of normal bowel movements following an operation.

Another herbal medicine, hangeshashin-to, reduced the severity and frequency of diarrhea caused by anti-cancer drugs.

The finding is important given that many traditional drugs are ineffective in GI motility disorders, may cause unwanted side effects and some have even been withdrawn from the market.

“Japanese herbal medicines have been used in East Asia for thousands of years,” says lead researcher Hidekazu Suzuki, associate professor at the Keio University School of Medicine.

Given efficacy concerns surrounding some traditional treatments and drugs, people have turned to herbal medicine and herbal supplements as an attractive alternative.