Craig Weller Natural Medicine Interview

Craig Weller Natural Medicine Interview

One of Australia's leading gastroenterologists says he believes that a clinically proven herbal product has its place among, and is probably at least as effective as, more expensive mainstream treatments for common gastrointestinal disorders that impact thousands of Australians.

Professor Gerald Holtmann, Director of the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Princess Alexandra Hospital, and Professor of Medicine at University of Queensland, said the Iberis amara (bitter candy tuft) combination herbal product is now a standard treatment for gastrointestinal disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome and functional dyspepsia.

"These disorders are extremely common and impact quality of life in a number of ways. People cannot go out, they cannot enjoy a normal meal, and they have complaints like diarrhoea or constipation and often abdominal symptoms that mean they may be unable to work. "Moreover, due to the severity and the chronic nature of symptoms that cause frequent consultations with GPs and specialists, these disorders are a significant burden and challenge for the health care system."

Speaking at the Australian Gastroenterology Week Conference in Brisbane, Professor Holtmann said he was initially very sceptical that a complementary medicine could match other more established treatments. However, he says the accumulated scientific evidence, including his own trials, have demonstrated its efficacy.

"I was really stunned when I saw the results of the first placebo-controlled study. It was the most effective treatment I have ever seen in these patients. "And it is not just effective in regard to the symptoms. It is effective with regard to patients that were unable to work, which has huge economic implications. Based upon the millions of treatments and the thousands of patients who have been in clinical trials, this is an exceptionally well-tolerated medication."

Also at the conference, a leading medical researcher said a clinical trial currently underway involving the product had the potential to transform treatment procedures and significantly reduce costs associated with functional dyspepsia.

Professor Jane Andrews, Associate Professor of Gastroenterology at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and the University of Adelaide, is involved in conducting the trial that is comparing the effects of the Iberis amara combination herbal product, with the prescription drug, proton pump inhibitor (PPI), esomeprazole, as well as a placebo in patients with functional dyspepsia. Approximately $500 million is spent annually in Australia on PPIs.

She said prescription treatments for dyspepsia were "quite unsatisfactory", with only about a 10% improvement over a placebo. Yet up to 40% of the population suffers from unexplained indigestion at some point in time, which is almost certainly functional dyspepsia.

"This Iberis amara combination herbal product is a very interesting preparation because the manufacturer is willing to have it evaluated properly in clinical trials whereas a lot of other companies that produce complementary medicines make claims, yet are not prepared to put in any effort to evaluate those claims in a randomised, controlled trial environment.

"The other thing from the community perspective is that it's not a prescription product, so if it is equally effective or more effective than the PPI comparator, it would save a large amount on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Also, it has got a very good safety profile," Professor Andrews said. The trial is funded by a grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and recruitment is due to be completed by the end of March next year.

In addition to bitter candy tuft, the product also contains angelica root, chamomile flowers, caraway fruit, St Mary's thistle fruit, balm leaves, peppermint leaves, greater celandine and liquorice root. It is manufactured in Germany and has been prescribed worldwide for 50 years to millions of people. Its efficacy has been examined in 14 clinical trials in more than 45,000 patients, with no serious side effects.

The product is available in Australia at selected pharmacies and health food stores, sold as a Practitioner Only product, dispensed by healthcare professionals. Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist, consult your health care professional.

Interview with Craig Weller

Craig Weller is the Managing Director of Flordis.

Question: Can you talk about Iberis amara combination herbal product and what disorders it is used to treat?

Craig Weller: Iberis amara contains nine different herbs and is used to treat functional dyspepsia and Irritable Bowel Syndrome which is basically an upset stomach including symptoms of indigestion, burping and flatulence.


Question: How can those suffering from gastrointestinal disorders have Iberis amara prescribed?

Craig Weller: Iberis amara can be prescribed by health care professionals including doctors, pharmacists and also naturopaths, it is available at most pharmacies and health food stores. Iberis amara is behind the counter and you'll need to specifically ask for it.


Question: How do patients take the herbal product?

Craig Weller: Iberis amara is a liquid, twenty drops are diluted into water and it is to be taken three times a day.


Question: What are the advantages of taking herbal medicine, over more expensive mainstream medicines?

Craig Weller: Realistically there is no proven product that can treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This natural formulation as been developed over 55 years and has a strong history. Iberis amara has evolved from plants and natural elements; it's not a synthetic chemical that generally treats one particular aspect of a gut problem; the combination in Iberis amara helps normalise the gut and helps get digestion back to normal, again.


Question: Is it correct to believe that natural medicines are often safer for the body?

Craig Weller: Not necessarily safer but they are less invasive on the body as they work with less side effects than the more synthetic products. You do have to be aware that some natural medicines do have relatively potent actions which are why they need to be recommended by health professionals.


Question: Are more and more people choosing to use herbal and natural products over prescription medications?

Craig Weller: Definitely, especially from a GP perspective as a lot of patients are asking for a natural alternative to synthetic drugs that are being prescribed due to more and more awareness out there.
You do have to be careful with the particular herbs that you do choose and only choose ones that you know where they're sourced from so you can have confidence in the safety and affectivity of the product.


Question: Can you talk about what Flordis does?

Craig Weller: Flordis is a company that has been running for over 10 years and we have a range of herbal preparations that are practitioner only products. Flordis main focus is providing products that have specific clinical evidence associated with them; Flordis products have been used in a particular clinical trial for a relevant indication which gives you confidence in the product.


Question: Can you please provide further information on Naturopath services?

Craig Weller: Generally what you'll find is that Naturopaths' tend to look at your holistic health, it's not like going to the local doctor where you receive a prescription for a crook belly. A Naturopath will look at your lifestyle and stress levels - they look at you as an individual and not just try and diagnose something but try and understand the situation you are currently living in. Environmental and emotional stress can affect your health and needs to be understood before specialists begin prescribing medicines.

Diet is crucial especially in regards to those with functional dyspepsia; some people have very poor eating habits and just changing your eating habits can resolve some gastrointestinal issues as well.