How Herbal Remedies Work in Ulcerative Colitis?

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Now a days, gastro-intestinal diseases are very common. The reason behind increased index ratio of ulcerative colitis is our improper diet and lifestyle. According to ayurveda every individual has his own prakruti or body constitution like Vataj, pittaj and kaphaj. etc prakruti’s. It is clearly mentioned in our classics that person have to follow the regimens according to his prakruti. For example, if a pittaj prakruti person consumes hot, spicy, sour and salty food stuffs in excess, then that will affect his body, and definitely,person will end up with the disease. Before going to the treatment aspect, we must have proper knowledge of disease condition, and the herbs which can manage the condition.

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is a disease of gastro-intestinal tract in which the internal lining of the entire colon is eroded and leads to ulceration, which occurs due to improper lifestyle and dietary habits and individual who shows the symptoms like – frequently passing loose stools, blood and pain in abdomen etc. According to Ayurveda it is a Pitta pradhan tridoshas vyadhi. This disease occurs due to following reasons, they are –

  • Aahara Karana (Dietary habits) – Excessive intake of spicy, salty, sour, pungent and hot foodstuffs like – chilli, tomato, brinjal, pineapple and all the junk foods.
  • Vihara karana (Lifestyle behavior) – If individual follows the lifestyle like – sleeping at daytime awakening at night, lack of exercise and sedentary lifestyle.
  • Mansik karana (Mental status) – Stress and strains are the per-disposing factors for all the diseases.
  • Vanshaj karana (Hereditary) – Ulcerative colitis is also one among the diseases which will rundown in generation to generations.
  • Aushadhi (Medications) – There are some medications, if used for long time, they erode the internal mucosa of intestine.
  • Few risk factors like –

a) Addiction of

  • Alcohol
  • Smoking
  • Tobacco

Those individuals who are already at risk if consumed these things in excess then there is an erosion of the internal lining of the gastro-intestinal tract. Those individuals who are already at risk who are:

b) Overweight
c) Have low immunity

How a Person Can Understand Whether They Are Suffering from Ulcerative Colitis or Not?           

Patients of ulcerative colitis represent the following symptoms –

  • Frequently passing loose stools
  • Blood and mucous mixed stools
  • Abdominal pains
  • Burning sensation in stomach
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Increased gurgling sounds

How We Can Manage the Condition with Herbal Remedies at Home Itself?

Mostly everybody is having a pharmacy at their homes, none other than their kitchen and kitchen garden. Only the thing is we don’t know the correct use of these herbs, shrubs and creepers etc. As it is a pitta dosha and agni vitiated disease, we are going to balance agni and eliminating out vitiated pitta from the body. Hence, we need to choose the drugs which has pitta nisarka (eliminating) and agni vardhak (increasing) property. So that drugs are –

1. Kutaj (Holarrhena Antidysentrica)

As kutaja acts as an anti- dairrheal ,hence it helps to reduce the frequency of stools. As per ayurveda, because of its grahi property it will avoid loss of extra electrolytes and nutrients from the body. Kutaj can be taken in the form of tablets and syrups. The dosages vary from 2 -4 times per day, it depends upon the severity of the disease.

2. Bilva (Aegle Marmelos)

Fruit of bilva is very effective in treating diarrhea. As it also has grahi and stambhak properties, it retains the essential nutrients in our body. It reduces the frequency of loose stools by managing Vata dosha in our body as peristalsis is the function of vata dosha.

3. Saunf (Fennel Seeds)

It has anti-inflammatory properties and also a very good appetizer.

4. Vasa (Adhatoda Vasaka)

Vasa is also cold in potency; hence it manages blood mixed diarrhoea. It has coagulating property.

5. Guduchi (Tinospora Cordifolia)

Guduchi is a ushna virya drug, but due to its madhura vipaka, it is going to subside the pitta dosha. Because of its anti-bacterial properties, it is going to purify and maintains the gut flora and it also helps to increase the platelet count.

6. Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna)

Arjuna has homeostatic property and cold in potency, hence arrests bleeding. One can use decoction prepared by boiling arjuna bark twice a day, after food.   

7. Punarnava (Boerhavia diffiusa)

The name of this herb itself mentioned the action of this drug. Punar means again and nava means new, that means it rejuvenates the tissues especially the red blood corpuscles again. As in this condition blood loss is observed, it is used to balance the reduced blood level in the body. It also helps to eliminate the vitiated pitta from the body.

8. Dhania (Coriander)

Coriander is an herb which is cold in potency, hence effective to manage acidity.

9. Dadima / Anaar (Pomegranate)

It is a good digestive fruit which helps to maintain pH level of colon. So, one has to add in daily diet.

10. Choti Elachi (Cardamom)

It has digestive and appetizing properties.

11. Jaiphal

Because of its anti- diarrheal property, it is helpful in this condition.

12. Amla (Indian Gooseberry)

 Amla is an anti-oxidant and also supports digestion. Thus, it helps to rejuvenate and reform the inner mucous lining of the entire colon. It also acts as a catalyst, with the combination of other medicines, it enhances the action of that herbs.

13.  Pudina

It acts as an analgesic, hence manages abdominal pain.

14.  Beetroot

It is also cooling in nature, which helps to manage the burning sensation of the colon, and also increases the hemoglobin level in our body.

What Precautions Should Be Taken While Following These Home Remedies?

One should have proper knowledge of regimens while following these remedies

  • Increase your water intake.
  • Those who complains of constipation, should take fiber rich diet.
  • Do not skip meals, maintain a proper time interval in between every meals.
  • Do not take heavy meals, instead of that take light and small meals.
  • Avoid dry, spicy and hot foodstuffs.
  • Avoid blood thinners if you have blood mixed stools.
  • Consume buttermilk instead of Yogurt.
  • Avoid Alcohol, smoking etc. as it further worsens the condition.
  • Add yoga in your daily routine.