GI complaints are one of the top reasons for visits to healthcare practitioners in Canada and in fact, Canada holds the highest rate for IBS in the world (18% in Canada vs. 11% worldwide). Today, research shows that 70% of Irritable Bowel Syndrome IS ACTUALLY SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth).

Sadly though, this condition is virtually unknown among patients and practitioners alike. As a result, there are millions of people suffering from GI symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation who are not getting the help they need or treating the actual root cause of their symptoms.

I was diagnosed with SIBO in 2018, and since then I have attended multiple masterclasses, summits, listened to SIBO doctor podcasts, completed a SIBO course for patients, and I closely follow the leading researcher and his team and their updates.

My diagnosis is also what prompted me to return to school to study herbal medicine at Wild Rose College. This past Winter, I presented a class titled “What’s Wrong With My Gut? The Hidden Truth Behind GI Upset and How to Feel Better at The Light Cellar in Calgary to help people suffering from unresolved GI issues. This is the class that I would love to present at the Herb Conference.

In it, I share what SIBO is, how to work through determining its underlying cause, how to test for it, how to interpret test results, herbal options for treatment, dietary changes to manage symptoms, and how to feel better in the meantime.

I also talked about how to put together a holistic treatment team and shared my favourite resources.

While some practitioners have heard of SIBO, much of the information is now outdated, as the research is rapidly evolving.

I feel that this class would be a great benefit for herbalists as the GI system plays a primary role in the functioning of the body overall.