Tag: Ayurvedic treatment of ulcerative colitis

Permanent Cure of Ulcerative Colitis with Diet and Home Remedies

Medical science has advanced a lot in all spheres of diseases, but in case of ulcerative colitis, modern medicine has made little progress. The present management of ulcerative colitis by modern medicine remains unsatisfactory. The modern physicians are far more able to control the disease than to cure it. Antibiotics are the chief medicines available for the control of diarrhoea. The introduction of cortico-steroids was thought to revolutionise the management of this disease, but the side effects of these drugs are as serious as the disease itself, while their control of the primary condition remains poor but this disease has been widely described in the classical Ayurvedic literature.

Ulcerative colitis diet & Home Remedies

Though ayurvedic medicines as well as home remedies are capable of regularising the digestive fire to normalcy, various yogic exercises by virtue of their specificity work as catalytic agents for stabilising the digestive fire at a higher level. According to Ayurveda, the disease can only be considered to be cured when the agni (digestive fire) is balanced without the use of any external medicine and it is quite possible.

Ulcerative Colitis is a syndrome in which the agni, digestive fire is supposed to be fault. When digestive fire becomes depressed, ama dosha (undigested waste material) accumulates and is passed in the stools with bleeding in stools is an additional feature. So, the aim of ulcerative colitis treatment in Ayurveda is to enhance the potency of digestive fire, thereby reducing the formation of ama dosha.

What are the causes of Ulcerative Colitis?

  • Eating fast food
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Irregularity in diet
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Eating late nights
  • Excessive heat or exposure to the sun
  • Skipping meals
  • The psychological aspect of colitis is also significant. It must be noted that stress and strain are the major contributory factors in causing and aggravating the disease. So, in Ayurveda, psychosomatic nature of the disease is also kept in mind while undertaking its treatment.

What are the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis?

  • Irregular bowel movements
  • Bluish or yellow undigested stool
  • Unexplained fatigue
  • Blood in stools
  • Diarrhoea
  • Weight loss
  • Rectal pain

Home Remedies for Ulcerative Colitis
Top 7 Home Remedies for Ulcerative Colitis

Pomegranate Juice

  • There are only a very few fruits as nutrition loaded as pomegranate. The pomegranate is used for its health benefits for thousands of years. It improves digestion power of stomach. Pomegranate juice balances the digestive fire, provides virility, and relieves vomiting, inflammation and checks bleeding in stools. Take 1 glass of juice pomegranate juice regularly in the morning. It also improves physical energy which is generally lost in the patients of ulcerative colitis and cures anaemia as well. It also induces quick healing of wounds. It has calming effect on the stomach.

Fenugreek Seeds-water

  • Because of high mucilage content, fenugreek seeds are helpful in treating diarrhoea associated with ulcerative colitis. Soak a few fenugreek seeds for a few hours and consume the water. Fenugreek tea can also be prepared and consume it warm.

Bananas

  • Bananas are the good source of potassium, a mineral that is helpful in balancing electrolytes. Bananas also contain a great amount of pectin that helps in treating diarrhoea. Eat 2 bananas daily or add chopped banana slices to a cup of yogurt. Eat them regularly as they also help in giving nutrient boost.

Coconut Water

  • Coconut water is a wonderful remedy in treating ulcerative colitis as it reduces the aggravated Pitta in the body. It also helps in reducing the burning sensation as well. Consuming this on regular basis for every 2-3 hours to replenish the body with lost nutrients.

Barley Water:

  • Starchy liquid like barley water is very effective in treating ulcerative colitis. Barley water can be prepared at home by boiling a cup of barley seeds in a ½ litre water. Cool down this solution and drink it. Consume this water frequently to keep the body hydrated. Prepare fresh barley water and don’t consume packaged barley water as they contain artificial sugar and preservatives.

Carrot Soup:

  • Carrot soup has properties that are helpful in treating ulcerative colitis. it has lot of nutrients that help in keeping the system hydrated and also provides a lot of nutrients. Cook a cup of carrots in a ½ litre water. Add little salt and pepper. Drink this soup regularly even after recovering from ulcerative colitis because by regularly consuming carrot soup gives a bunch of nutrients because all the nutrients get depleted in ulcerative colitis and body becomes weak. Carrots are the good sources of anti-oxidants as well as nutrients.

In addition, various yogic exercises such as: Bhujangasana, Mayurasana, Sarvangasana, Pranayama are also recommended.

Diet:

  • Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated, particularly during the bouts of diarrhoea.
  • Eat several small meals each day rather than the large ones.
  • Eat a low fibre diet like cauliflower, broccoli, whole grains, corn, nuts, seeds, and popcorn may worse the problem.
  • Reduce the consumption of greasy and oily foods.
  • Avoid milk products because many people suffering from ulcerative colitis are lactose intolerant.
  • Include spices such as cumin seeds, coriander seeds, fennel seeds etc. in your diet.
  • Consume the vegetable like radish, round gourd, ash gourd, pumpkin, bitter gourd, bottle gourd and ridge gourd.
  • Consume the fruits like pear, apple, banana, Indian Goose Berry   and pomegranate (without seeds).
  • Include spinach, mustard leaves, fenugreek leaves in your diet but in moderation
  • Take Cow ghee, daily 1 tsp. in your meal.

Ulcerative Colitis Treatment in Ayurveda-Diet & Home Remedies

Ulcerative Colitis: General idea

Ulcerative Colitis is a commonly-occurring inflammatory bowel disease which can result in the formation of ulcers, thereby causing the swelling of the colon (the large intestine). The condition is debilitating, and it can basically incapacitate the affected individuals, making it difficult for them to perform day-to-day routine activities.

In Ulcerative Colitis, the inner layer of the colon gets inflamed due to harmful bacteria. As a result, the intestinal area of the sufferers becomes quite narrow, and they experience a lot of discomfort and difficulty in passing stool.
Ulcerative colitis natural remedies

Ulcerative Colitis can trigger the occurrence of several chronic issues like severe diarrhoea, joints pains, vomiting, inflammation of the colon, soreness of the digestive tract, and digestive problems. The condition can also result in the scarring of bile ducts and pancreas; and, in some cases, it can even lead to potentially life-threatening complications.

The onset of Ulcerative Colitis is mostly quite gradual, and the condition can worsen over a period of time. The symptoms of the condition can undergo a change over time, and can range from mild to severe. The most common indications of the disease include abdominal pain, gastrointestinal problems, fever, blood or pus in stool, urgency to use the bathroom, anaemia, poor appetite, weight loss, and rapid heart rate.

Diet & Home Remedies for Ulcerative colitis

Dietary recommendations for patients of Ulcerative Colitis

  • The patients of Ulcerative Colitis are advised to consume some specific foods to remain nourished and healthy; and, at the same time, avoid certain foods which can make their condition worse. Specifically, some of the dietary recommendations for Ulcerative Colitis patients have been listed below:

Eliminate foods which can worsen inflammation

  • Ulcerative Colitis patients should not eat foods which can increase inflammatory symptoms and cause further discomfort to them. The foods which should be eliminated from their diet include white bread and other refined carbohydrates, packaged foods, processed foods, trans fats, and sugar. In addition, spicy and junk foods should also be avoided.

Increase the intake of Phytochemicals

  • The symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis can be significantly reduced by consuming a diet which has abundance of ‘phytochemicals’ (chemicals which are found in plants). A phytochemicals-rich diet ideally includes apples, bael, Indian gooseberry (amla), green tea, olive oil etc.

Eat a low-fiber diet

  • For relieving the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis, the sufferers of the condition should eat a low-fiber diet and avoid the consumption of buttery and greasy foods, fruits with seeds, citrus fruits, ginger and garlic. Moreover, since most of the Ulcerative Colitis patients suffer from ‘lactose intolerance’, the consumption of milk and other dairy products should also be avoided.

Overall, the diet which Ulcerative Colitis patients need to follow should include vegetables like pumpkin, bottle gourd, ridge gourd, ash gourd, and round guard. Furthermore, a balanced diet for these patients should also contain proteins, complex carbohydrates, essential minerals, fats, vitamins and other nutrients in adequate quantity. The sufferers of this condition should eat several small meals a day, and also drink plenty of water in order to remain hydrated, especially during a bout of diarrhoea. Since the condition can lead to deficiency of calcium or Vitamin D (and bone loss), the sufferers should take a natural calcium and Vitamin D supplement.

Home Remedies for Patients of Ulcerative Colitis

  • Ulcerative Colitis symptoms can also be effectively relieved with the help of some simple and time-tested home remedies. A few common home remedies which can be very beneficial for Ulcerative Colitis patients are:

Herbal tea

  • Herbal tea is an excellent home remedy for managing abdominal pain, acidity, bloating and some of the other symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis. For best results, the sufferers of this condition should consume a cup of herbal tea once or twice a day. The tea should be prepared using cumin, fennel, cumin, and thyme.

Apples

  • The intake of apples is also a useful home remedy for Ulcerative Colitis. The disease can drain out a lot of blood from the body of the patients and can, thus, result in loss of iron. For replenishing the lost iron, the consumption of apples can be very beneficial because apples are a rich source of iron. Eating apples after meals can prevent Ulcerative Colitis symptoms like bloating. Boiled apples can also be used for desired results in managing the disease.

Bananas

  • Eat two bananas daily or add chopped bananas slices to a cup of yogurt. This will help in boosting nutrition and treats diarrhoea.

Pomegranate juice

  • Another beneficial home remedy for Ulcerative Colitis is the consumption of pomegranate juice. This juice can provide relief from pain, bleeding and other symptoms. The patients suffering from Ulcerative Colitis are advised to drink at least 50ml of pomegranate juice two times a day.

Goond katira

  • It is another wonderful home remedy for the same. Soak a piece of it in a glass of water for few hours and mix well to drink later.

Rose petals juice

  • Another amazing home remedy for ulcerative colitis is here. 2 tbsp daily, twice can also help in an effective way to deal with bleeding and burning feeling.

Beneficial herbs

Certain useful herbs also have proven properties to relieve most of the painful and inflammatory symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis. The herbs which are particularly beneficial for the patients suffering from this disease include: Kutaja (Halorrhena antidysentrica), Musta (Cyprus rotundus), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), Bilva (Aegle marmelos), Daruharidra (Berberis aristata), and Patha (Cissampelos pareira).

Conclusion

  • The dietary recommendations and home remedies discussed above briefly mean that the patients of Ulcerative Colitis should eat foods which can reduce the symptoms of flare-ups, and avoid the consumption of unhygienic food items.