What Are Candibactins—and How Can They Help with SIBO?

What We’ll Cover in This Article

This resource explains the herbal products Candibactin AR and BR, the research that supports their use in SIBO cases, risks, benefits and more. We’ll cover:

What SIBO is and common symptoms
What Candibactin AR and BR are and why they’re used in some gut protocols
The research behind these formulas
Why ordering from a cGMP, NSF-certified source matters
A sample protocol many clients use to gently ramp up their dose of Candibactins
Nutrition tips and reminders to stay nourished throughout your protocol

Important note: This is not medical advice. This resource is designed for existing clients only and should never be used in place of professional medical care. If you’re not a client of Dr. Kate’s and have found this page by accident, please don’t use this protocol without talking to your own provider about what’s right for you.

What Is SIBO?

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is a condition where gas-producing bacteria from the large intestine migrate into the lower intestine and cause issues related to methane or hydrogen production.

Common symptoms include:

Bloating (especially after meals)
Gas or abdominal discomfort
Diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between both
Sensitivity to certain carbohydrates (especially high-FODMAP foods)

Many people with SIBO notice that even healthy foods like garlic, onions, or legumes can make them feel worse. That’s because these foods (and others) are high in fermentable carbohydrates known as FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols). FODMAPs can serve as fuel for SIBO-causing bacteria by giving them the substrate they need to produce more gas. When those bacteria are in the wrong part of the gut (the small intestine instead of large intestine), fermentation leads to pressure, inflammation, and discomfort.

SIBO has been linked to underlying motility issues, previous food poisoning, hypothyroidism, and chronic use of acid-suppressing medications, among other root causes. Research estimates that up to 60–80% of people with IBS may actually have SIBO, suggesting a significant overlap between the two conditions (Rezaie et al., 2017). Treatment typically focuses on reducing the overgrowth, supporting digestion, and addressing the root cause to prevent recurrence.

What Are Candibactins?

Candibactin AR and Candibactin BR are herbal supplements used by many integrative and functional medicine practitioners to support microbial balance in the gastrointestinal tract.

Candibactin AR contains essential oils like oregano, thyme, and cumin—herbs traditionally used for their broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties. These compounds may help reduce the bacterial and fungal load in the small intestine while supporting healthy digestion and bile flow.
Candibactin BR includes berberine, Chinese skullcap, and coptis—botanicals with a long history of supporting gut health, microbial balance, and liver detoxification pathways.

These formulas are often used together as part of a phased protocol to gently reduce overgrowth and improve digestive resilience. They are not a cure or treatment, but may be used under practitioner supervision as part of a holistic strategy for optimizing the gut microbiome.

Research for Candibactins and SIBO

In a 2014 study published in Global Advances in Health and Medicine, researchers evaluated a botanical protocol that included Candibactin AR and BR as an alternative to antibiotic therapy in people with SIBO.

The results were encouraging:

“Herbal therapies were as effective as rifaximin for resolution of SIBO.”

Importantly, herbal protocols were found to be equally effective and well tolerated compared to rifaximin and neomycin, the standard antibiotics used in SIBO care. In clinical experience, many clients also report fewer recurrences when using herbal therapies, possibly due to the broader antimicrobial effects that also address candida and fungal overgrowth.

Of course, every body is different, and no single approach works for everyone. That’s why it’s so important to work with your practitioner to find a protocol that’s right for you.

Sample Dosing Schedule for Candibactins

Many people ask how to dose Candibactins and the truth is that there is no one right way for everyone. It depends on the severity of your SIBO, other factors like motility, other health conditions, tolerance for herbs like berberine, oregano, etc. In my experience, it’s best to start at low doses and slowly increase with these herbal formulas to ensure they are being tolerated well. Here’s a sample of the step-up schedule that many of my clients have followed successfully. Always check your individual protocol instructions—yours may be slightly different for medical reasons determined by your practitioner.

Sample Dosing and Taper Up Schedule

Day 1
Candibactin BR: 1 cap at night
Candibactin AR: —

Day 2
Candibactin BR: 1 cap in the morning, 1 cap at night
Candibactin AR: —

Day 3
Candibactin BR: 1 cap in the morning, 1 cap at night
Candibactin AR: 1 cap with lunch

Days 4–6
Candibactin BR: 1 cap in the morning, 1 cap at night
Candibactin AR: 1 cap in the morning, 1 cap with lunch

Day 7
Candibactin BR: 1 cap in the morning, 2 caps at night
Candibactin AR: 1 cap in the morning, 1 cap with lunch

Day 8
Candibactin BR: 1 cap after each meal (3 total)
Candibactin AR: 1 cap after each meal (3 total)

Day 9 and onward
Continue the same regimen until bottles run out

Most clients require 2–3 bottles of each product to complete a full protocol.

Important: These formulas contain multiple herbs and should be used under supervision. Always read labels and double-check for any ingredients you may be sensitive to - these formulas contain plants and herbs that can be allergenic. Do not take Candibactin BR if you react to berberine or if you have low blood pressure. If you feel bad after increasing your dose of either product, stop and alert your provider.

What Should I Eat During a SIBO Protocol?

Some clients find symptom relief by reducing high-FODMAP foods during a SIBO protocol. This doesn’t mean cutting out everything with FODMAPS - that would be impossible and incredibly unhealthy. I do not recommend MONASH or elemental diets as they are too restrictive and I have not found them to be of clinical benefit in my practice. For food guidance, I recommend working with a RD who uses Kate Scarlata’s low FODMAP checklists as a gentle and practical tool: Low FODMAP Checklists

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

You don’t have to follow a rigid food plan for this to work. The goal is to figure out which foods flare your symptoms, and attempt to swap them for lower-FODMAP alternatives if possible.
You’re aiming for symptom management, not restriction. Work with an RD to create a meal plan that feels abundant so you don’t feel like you’re being deprived.
Staying nourished is far more important than cutting out food groups. Many clients use a high-quality multivitamin during this protocol to help fill in any nutritional gaps. Always take your multivitamin with a full meal to avoid nausea.

Why Order from Fullscript?

Supplements are only effective if they’re safe, potent, and stored correctly. That’s why I recommend ordering through Fullscript, a certified practitioner-only dispensary. Here’s why that matters:

Fullscript works directly with the manufacturer—no third-party sellers, so you’ll never get a counterfeit product (which unfortunately cannot be said of other platforms).
Products are third-party tested for purity and label accuracy, so they’re guaranteed safe and clean.
Storage and shipping practices follow cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices) and expiration dates and product integrity are verified at every step to ensure you’re truly getting what’s on the label.

The FDA does not proactively regulate supplements in the U.S. Ordering from Fullscript helps ensure you’re getting exactly what you think you’re getting—without expired, counterfeit, or mishandled products. You can find your direct ordering link here: Dr. Kate’s SIBO Protocol – Fullscript

Summary

SIBO is a complex condition that can cause significant digestive symptoms, and for many people, herbal strategies like Candibactin AR and BR are a helpful part of a comprehensive care plan. The combination of oregano, berberine, and other plant-based compounds may support microbial balance in the small intestine, especially when paired with a tailored nutrition strategy and gut healing protocol. Herbs can be potent and potentially harmful, so don’t start them without talking to a provider. When you do start, begin at low doses and increase slowly unless your provider directs you to do otherwise.

Final Reminder

The information on this website is intended solely for educational purposes and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or treatment. The information here does not establish or suggest a physician-patient relationship between you and any affiliates of this website. It is important to consult with your own healthcare provider prior to making any health-related decisions so that you stay safe and healthy.