Herbals for SIBO

I thought that the best experts had all agreed that it's harmful to be on antibiotics any longer than necessary, that it's leading to the superbugs and everything else. I know for a fact that being on antibiotics too long (for a stubborn sinus infection) led to my getting c-diff.

Hi, @marksmom - I moved your discussion on small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and herbal treatment for it with an existing discussion in the Digestive Health support group (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/digestive-gastrointestinal-problems/) titled:

"Herbals for SIBO" https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/herbals-for-sibo/

@thedesert @interest @gigi4 and others in this discussion have talked about this diagnosis and may wish to share what they have learned and experienced since first posting about SIBO.

marksmom, wondering what the doctor who prescribed the breath tests that led to a diagnosis of SIBO suggested for your treatment?

My GI doctor has had SIBO since his twenties! Perhaps off and on.
Since I told him I tried Vizbiome for two months with no effect, he recommended a Prebiotic Guar fiber, sun fiber which dissolves well in liquids. Also, I told him that because I would not take antibiotics, I would research an herbal alternative. After research, I have decided to try Siboprin because it contains Oregano oil, Wild garlic and Berberine, which was recommended by a doctor at John Hopkins Hospital and because it has gone through clinical trials. Also, I will be on a diet recommended for persons with SIBO.

I don’t know that I have SIBO for sure, but I have all the symptoms. Have you tried oil of oregano? I’ve been googling alternatives to antibiotics and I just ordered some from Amazon so I can try it. This was triggered by eating coconut milk yogurt twice, and since I reacted so strongly to that and also the probiotics I used to take in a capsule began to hurt my stomach, I feel like I have SIBO. I haven’t tried anything for it yet except I had to limit my eating severely for five months and then got better for three weeks and then stupidly ate some more of the coconut milk yogurt and now I’m sick again. Same exact symptoms that I had before. I also have multiple food, allergies, and IBS. I can’t believe you’ve tried so many things! How scary and frustrating. I hope you can find something that helps you. You have my deepest sympathy.

Have you ever tried oil of oregano? I’ve been googling it alternatives to antibiotics and it sounds good. I haven’t tried it yet. Good luck! SIBO stinks.

Hi there. Do you happen to be in the Midwest by chance? I’m trying to find a provider that can assist. Been given antibiotics for methane SIBO and haven’t started yet but the functional med provider I’m working with and have been for a couple years had me purchase more items and it’s been about 11 weeks no improvement.

I live in Massachusetts! I research and began to take Siboprin which contains Oil of Oregano, Garlic Extract and Berberine which is recommended by a Functional GI doctor at John’s Hopkins Hospital! I just took it for a month because it would start to kill the good bacteria. So, I’m taking it sporadically! I also take a Slippery Elm 400 mg capsule before I have anything that causes upset! A gut clinic in England recommends just Oil of Oregano four no longer than 4 to six weeks at a time. Emulsified oregano 2 to 3 times a day!
Ibsclinics.co.uk/how-long-to-take-oreganol-oil-sibo/
I also have Methane SIBO! I hope this helps!

If you've not had a chance to check out this Mayo Clinic resource mentioned earlier in this discussion, you may want to take a look at treatment recommended for SIBO https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/small-intestinal-bacterial-overgrowth/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20370172

This article talks about how if possible, surgery to repair the issue in the body's structure is recommended, which might include repairing a postoperative fistula, loop or stricture. However, it also notes this is not always possible. If surgery is a non-option, Mayo Clinic recommends antibiotics to get rid of bacterial overgrowth and nutritional support to correct deficiencies.

Thank you for your information! I tried antibiotics and became quite sick from it! I.E. room spinning, nausea and crawling to the bathroom to vomit multiple times. This one way “fix” does not work for everyone given different bodies and reactions to drugs! The alternative treatments I mentioned are herbal antibiotics and work for me with none of the negative results! My GI doctor was impressed with my findings!

Sorry to hear about the illness from the antibiotics, @marksmom. Sounds miserable.

Yes, I agree with you about medication differences among individual people. I've found this past year in my personal experience that medications do not all work the same on different bodies with different reactions to drugs. A medication that made me really quite sick (semaglutide - Wegovy) had zero side effects when my husband also took it.

You mentioned your GI doctor was impressed with your findings, marksmom. What did the doctor say about your reactions to antibiotics for your SIBO? What did he or she say about your findings thus far?