Ulcerative Colitis Natural Treatment For Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) – Ulcerosa

What is Ulcerative Colitis – Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?

Colitis is an inflammation of the colon or large intestine. Colitis (irritable bowel) is a chronic inflammation of the colon that manifests as alternating constipation and diarrhea and abdominal pain. There are two types of colitis: mucus and ulceratie. Mucus colitis is a common disorder of the large bowel, producing discomfort and irregular bowel habits. It occurs when there is inflammation in the mucosa of the colon. Proliferation of unfriendly microorganisms due to overuse of antibiotics and food allergens can also be contributing factors. Chronic ulcerative colitis is a severe prolonged inflammation of the colon or large bowel in which ulcers form on the walls of the colon, resulting in the passing of blood stools with pus and mucus. Both forms of colitis are the results of prolonged irritation of the delicate membrane which lines the walls of the colon. Normally, it is the function of the colon to store waste material until most of the fluids have been removed to enable well formed soft stools, consisting of non absorb-able food materials to be passed. Persons who suffer from an irritable colon have irregular and erratic contractions which are specially noticeable on the left side.

Common Symptoms and Signs of Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis causes sores on the lining of the colon and rectum. Chronic ulcerative colitis usually begins in the lower part of the bowels and spreads upwards. The first symptom of the trouble is an increased urgency to move the bowel, followed by cramping pains in the abdomen and bloody mucus in the stools. As the disease spreads upwards, the stools become watery and more frequent and are characterized by rectal straining. All this loss of blood and fluid from the bowels results in weakness, fever, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and anemia. This may develop a bloated feeling because the gas is not absorbed or expelled normally. Some patients suffer from constipation alternating with period of loose bowel movements. Still others may suffer from a persistent diarrhea for years together. The patient is usually malnourished and may be severely underweight. He may suffer from frequent insomnia. Ulcerative colitis in its severe form may also lead to nutritional problems. The improper assimilation of the ingested foods due to inflammatory conditions may cause deficiency diseases. This may gradually result in nervous irritability, exhaustion and depression. In very severe cases, the patient may even develop suicidal tendencies.

Root Causes of Colitis

The main cause of colitis is chronic constipation and the use of purgatives. Constipation causes an accumulation of the hard faecal matter which is never properly evacuated. Purgatives used as a ‘cure’ only increase irritation. Often, colitis is caused by a poorly digested roughage, especially of cereals and carbohydrates, which causes bowel irritation. The disease may also result from an allergic sensitivity to certain foods especially milk, wheat and eggs. Often, the intake of antibiotics may upset the bacterial flora in the intestines and interfere with proper digestion. Severe stress may also produce ulcerative colitis. During any form of severe stress, outpouring of adrenal hormones causes such destruction of body protein that at times parts of the walls lining the intestines are literally eaten away. Such stress also depletes the body of pantothenic acid. Experiments on animals have shown that they can develop ulcerative colitis when they are kept on diets deficient in pantothenic acid. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease have similar symptoms, including chronic (possibly bloody) diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fatigue, weight loss and sometimes fever. But they have somewhat different origins. Simply put, colitis is inflammation of the colon, while the inflammation of Crohn’s can occur anywhere in the intestinal tract.

Ulcerative Colitis Home Remedies

1. Indian Ayurveda Herbal Formula

According to Indian Ayurveda, colitis is caused when vata pushes pitta into the colon and inflammation occurs. The basic line of treatment is to pacify pitta. An excellent herbal remedy for colitis is to mix together shatavari 4 parts, shanka bhasma 1/8 part, kama dudha 1/8 part and sanjivani 2 parts. Take 1/4 teaspoon of this mixture with warm water 2 or 3 times a day for 1 or 2 months. You can also take aloe vera gel, 1 tablespoon twice a day. Aloe vera is cooling and good for reducing pitta. Preliminary research has shown that Aloe vera gel taken by mouth improved ulcerative colitis.

2. Banana

Banana is an easy home remedy. Ripe bananas are highly beneficial in the treatment of ulcerative colitis, being bland, smooth, easily digested and slightly laxative. They relieve acute symptoms and promote the healing process.

3. Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is also known as Hamamelis Virginiana. Taken internally, an infusion of the leaves is effective for treating colitis. To make the infusion add 1 teaspoon of chopped leaves to a cup of water.

4. Enema

Ulcerative colitis is characterized by diarrhea, mucus, and blood from the rectum. For that condition, Ayurveda suggests a basti that is enema using a tea made from an astringent herb such as bilva, ashoka, sandalwood, or licorice root. This is how to prepare the enema: Boil 1 tablespoon of the herb (such as licorice powder) in 1 pint of water for 5 minutes. Strain, and add about 2 tablespoons of ghee while the tea is still warm. Let the liquid cool to room temperature, and use it for an enema. Retain the liquid inside for 5 minutes if you can. Do this procedure once or twice a week. Licorice contains food precursors of natural steroids, which will help heal the ulcer. This is a safe, simple way to correct colitis or ulcerative colitis.

5. Comfrey

Comfrey is known as Knitbone. Comfrey has high levels of allantoin which is a healing chemical that stimulates cell growth. This makes it wonderful for internal and external use. Works well for gastric ailments including duodenal ulcers and colitis.

6. Calendula

Calendula is very effective to heal intestinal ulcers and colitis. Calendula is valuable in healing duodenal ulcers, inflammation of both the stomach and duodenum and intestinal colitis. In case of chronic colitis, try strong tea made with calendula with other herbs. Here is how to make this effective tea. Take 1 tsp. of each herb – dandelion root, St. Johnswort, lemon balm, calendula and fennel seed. Bring 1-1/2 qtrs. of water to boil. Add herbs and steep for 1 hour. Take 1 cup, thrice a day. Complete cure be seen on 15th day from the start of treatment.

7. Oil Enema

Oil enema give soothing effect. The colon is the seat of vata. This vata dosha is pulling or pushing pitta into the colon, which then causes the colitis. To combat the excess pitta and at the same time pacify vata, Ayurveda suggests injecting a cooling oil such as coconut oil into the rectum. Use about 1 cup of slightly warmed oil as a enema, and try to retain it for 5 minutes, but don’t worry if it comes out more quickly.

8. Demulcent Herbs

Using demulcent (soothing to inflammation) herbs such as marshmallow root, licorice root, plantain leaf, and slippery elm bark in tea form is an excellent way to soothe the digestive system. Drink 2 to 3 cups a day.

9. Butter Milk

An effective remedy for ulcerative colitis is the use of butter milk. It is the residual milk left after the fat has been removed from yogurt by churning. Buttermilk enema twice a week is also soothing and helps in reinstalling a healthy flora in the colon.

10. Aloe Vera

A shot glass of aloe vera juice taken 10 minutes before each meal is also soothing to irritated intestines. Juices of carrot, cabbage, and celery can be taken diluted with water for their soothing alkalinizing properties.

11. Apple

Apples relieve burning sensation. A simple and beneficial remedy for colitis is to eat cooked apples with a pinch of nutmeg. Peel a couple of apples, remove the seeds, and cook. Make them into a pulp, by using potato masher. Add 1 teaspoon ghee (clarified butter) and a pinch of nutmeg. This will help to pacify the irritation of colitis and ulcerative colitis. Apple juice will also help relieve the burning sensation.

12. Coconut Water

Another valuable remedy for colitis is tender coconut water, it is soothing to the soft mucosa of the colon. Cooked apple also aids the healing of ulcerative conditions because of its ample concentration of iron and phosphorous.

13. Tapioca

Tapioca helps to heal stomach ulcers. In Sao Paulo, Brazil some doctors and local folk healers employ cooked tapioca for helping to heal peptic ulcers and colitis. Bring 1 cup of water to a boil, adding 2 tbsp. of unflavored gelatin until thoroughly dissolved by vigorous stirring. Then add 4 – 6 average sized ice cubes to the solution. When cool, slowly add this mixture to 8 stiffly beaten egg whites. Then add 1 cup pure maple syrup, a pinch of cardamom and 4 tbsp. of granulated, quick-cooking tapioca. Stir until the mixture becomes firm, then eat a dish of it. The rest may be refrigerated for consumption later on in the evening. This simple pudding, if consumed pretty regularly, has been known to engender healing of the entire intestinal tract within a short time.

14. Umeboshi Plum Paste

Umeboshi plum paste acts as a digestive aid for quick relief. Incomplete digestion can lead to colitis, here is a remedy to ease digestion. Try ume concentrate or umeboshi plum paste. Both can be found in Asian markets or health food stores and are very alkalinizing and have antimicrobial properties. Stir 1 teaspoon (5 g) of the paste or 1/8 teaspoon of the concentrate into 1 cup (235 ml) of warm water and drink it slowly, up to 3 times daily.

15. Exercises

Exercises are useful to strengthen the colon. When a person has ulcerative colitis, the colon is very weak. To strengthen the wall of the colon, lie at on your back and gradually lift both your legs, keeping the knees as straight as you can, until the legs are at a 45 degree angle to the floor. This exercise is called a Leg Lift. If you find it difficult to lift both legs together, you can lift one leg and then the other. Hold your legs in the raised position for just a few seconds at first, up to 1 minute after several weeks of practice.

16. Turmeric

Turmeric is very useful to relieve indigestion naturally. Turmeric has been shown to protect the liver, relieve indigestion, and help prevent ulcers or relieve existing ones. It also shows promise for Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and other inflammatory bowel diseases. Try using turmeric in everyday cooking to reduce frequent gastrointestinal complaints.

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