Pain and inflammation from ulcerative colitis can have you doubled over in pain and unable to continue with your daily life. Left untreated, it can cause a number of other serious complications. We’ll look at 17 home remedies for ulcerative colitis symptom relief right after we glance over what causes it.
Ulcerative colitis is characterized by its ulcers or sores affecting the innermost lining of large intestine and rectum. The ulcers cause inflammation of the bowels and block the normal absorption of nutrients to your body. Traditionally, diet and stress were seen as the most common causes of this inflammatory bowel condition, but recent studies indicate that they only aggravate it rather than cause it. The root cause seems to lie with an abnormal immune response.
The 17 remedies for ulcerative colitis symptom relief can help, but they are not all inclusive. For help with more severe cases contact your health care provider.
Because certain foods tend to aggravate ulcerative colitis, its best to eliminate them from your diet until your condition improves. The major contributors to eliminate are refined carbohydrates.
What to do:
How it works:
Refined carbohydrates create a highly acidic lower intestine, which then causes an imbalance in the bacteria flora of the colon. By eliminating them, you remove this irritation from the equation.
Since immune system malfunction is one of the causes of ulcerative colitis, boosting it with probiotic foods will not only help relieve the symptoms, but begin to cure it.
What to do:
How it works:
Probiotic foods help to produce the good bacteria that line your colon and assist in nutrient absorption and immune system support.
The Chinese have used licorice root for intestinal and bowel problems for thousands of years. It also works on ulcerative colitis.
What to do:
Note: Do not use licorice root if you are pregnant or have heart, liver or kidney conditions.
How it works:
Flavonoids, coumarins, triterpenoids and stilbenoids are the four active compounds in licorice root and help with inflammation and pain relief.
Hemp seed oil is another natural home remedy that can help relieve the symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
What to do:
How it works:
Hemp seed oil contains a great balance of all three of the omega fatty acids (3, 6 and 9), which help reduce inflammation and promote immune function.
Cod liver oil is an old standby with a strong history for curing everything. Studies show that it might actually perform as billed for treating ulcerative colitis.
What to do:
How it works:
Research confirms that the omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil help boost your immune system and reduce inflammation in your colon.
Though more commonly known for its treatment of stings, bites and burns, the gel from the aloe vera plant can also help with ulcerative colitis symptom relief.
What to do:
How it works:
Aloe vera’s soothing anti-inflammatory properties can bring a great deal of relief.
It’s a rare occurrence, but even conventional health care providers approve of the use of boswellia (aka frankincense) for ulcerative colitis.
What to do:
Note: Taking boswellia while pregnant can induce a miscarriage.
How it works:
Boswellic acid, found in the boswellia resin, has a non-toxic, non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory effect.
Olive oil is a readily available home remedy for mild to moderate ulcerative colitis that might even help to prevent it.
What to do:
How it works:
The monounsaturated fats of olive oil have immunomodulatory (immunity boosting) and anti-inflammatory properties.
To get rid of abdominal pain, rectal bleeding and diarrhea, all symptoms of ulcerative colitis, wheat grass juice comes highly recommended.
What to do:
How it works:
Wheat grass has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help to relieve ulcerative colitis symptoms.
Slippery elm also helps to bulk up your stools and eliminate diarrhea.
What to do:
How it works:
Slippery elm bulks up stools and also reduces inflammation.
Psyllium seeds are another remedy to help reduce diarrhea is often prominent with ulcerative colitis.
What to do:
How it works:
As a rich soluble fiber, psyllium seeds help to bulk the stools and relief the symptoms of diarrhea.
Calendula, or pot marigold, is another highly regarded remedy for ulcerative colitis because it not only sooths, but also facilitates the healing of damaged colon tissue.
What to do:
How it works:
Besides its anti-inflammatory properties, calendula also aids digestion and promotes tissue restoration through the same four active compounds found in licorice root, but is much safer to consume.
Fenugreek, sometimes called methi, can help to reduce the symptoms of ulcerative colitis as well.
What to do:
How it works:
Besides creating a protective coating on the inner lining of the colon, fenugreek reduces inflammation and contains a number of essential nutrients for healing, like vitamins A and C, iron, calcium, and protein.
Ethnopharmacological studies have determined that ginger root has profound effects on reducing and managing the symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
What to do:
How it works:
Ginger root has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that promote healing of the colon. It also aids in relieving nausea and helps in the digestion process.
Most of us think of chamomile as a soothing drink to relax us and make us sleep. Chamomile can also help relax the effects of ulcerative colitis.
What to do:
How it works:
Chamomile’s soothing effect helps to relax the colon, easy the pain and reduce the inflammation.
Iron and folate both help in the process of healing ulcerative colitis.
What to do:
How it works:
The combination of the two helps you to maintain healthy red blood cells and promote the healing of the inner walls of the colon.
Turmeric is one of the world’s most effective, non-pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory compounds available.
What to do:
How it works:
Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, is so effective that many patients suffering from ulcerative colitis were able to forego taking prescription medications because of their improved condition.
If ulcerative colitis has you doubled over in pain and is stopping you from going about your regular, daily routine, you should consider implementing one or more of the 17 home remedies that we’ve listed here. There’s just no point in allowing the pain and discomfort to continue when help is so close at hand.
Images taken from depositphotos.com.
