One of the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn's disease causes many patients to suffer severe abdominal pain, diarrhea and, in the most advanced cases, malnutrition. Treatment options vary, but no cure exists. Therefore, patients must follow a preventative approach to keep symptoms at bay and, in many cases, to achieve extended periods of remission.
Common Alternative Therapies
Crohn's disease is a chronic condition affecting the intestine. Isolated areas of the intestine may be affected, while being surrounded by healthy tissue. Because the intestine of Crohn's patients does not effectively absorb necessary nutrients, sufferers may also be at risk of being malnourished. Replenishing those lost nutrients with nutritional herbal supplements may not always ease symptoms, but it can improve overall health. In addition, oral probiotics reintroduce healthy bacteria into the intestine, providing a better balance of bacteria that can be compromised in Crohn's patients.
Probiotics and Herbs
Preliminary studies have shown that the use of probiotics may benefit Crohn's patients. Probiotics are plant-based compounds and give a boost to the bacteria found naturally within the intestine. Artichokes are a good source of probiotics.
Intestinal inflammation has been treated with herbs for generations, although their use is not regulated by the FDA. Before taking any nutritional or herbal supplements, check with your physician, as even natural remedies can interact with prescription medication.
Some of the herbs commonly used to treat inflammatory bowel disease include slippery elm for its ability to heal irritated tissues. The recommended dosage is 60 to 320 mg each day.
Marshmallow works to tame mucous membranes and is typically consumed as a tea. To make marshmallow tea, steep 5 g of either the dried root or leaf in a cup of boiling water (diabetics should avoid marshmallow).
Turmeric or curcumin works as an anti-inflammatory and may help ease symptoms in Crohn's patients. The recommended dosage is 1 or 2 g each day.
Cat's claw and boswellia both work as anti-inflammatories. The dosage for cat's claw is 250 mg each day, and for boswellia, 1,200 mg is recommended, three times each day (boswellia, however, can interact with certain medications, so consult your physician before taking).
Acupuncture
Crohn's sufferers may also find relief from symptoms through acupuncture. A trained acupuncturist can assess the patient to determine the best treatment approach. Moxibustion is sometimes used in conjunction with acupuncture. This procedure involves mugwort (an herb) being burned over acupuncture points, reaching more deeply than needles do.
Tags: Crohn patients, Crohn disease, Crohn patients Probiotics, dosage each, each boswellia, ease symptoms, herbal supplements