How to Treat Colitis Naturally

The only cure for colitis is the surgical removal of the colon. Since many people do not want to be on prescription medications for management of colitis flareups, nor do they want surgery, they prefer to treat the symptoms of colitis naturally.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Explore Ways to Treat Colitis Naturally

1. Consider probiotics (live micro-organisms added to food) to be a way to treat colitis naturally. The most common organisms are streptococci, lactobacilli, some types of yeast and bifidobacteria.
2. Join those who feel omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil is a beneficial way to treat colitis naturally. It is thought that omega-3 fatty acids reduce the inflammation associated with ulcerative colitis.
3. Take advantage of the studies that show oral aloe vera gel to have an anti-inflammatory effect on ulcerative colitis.
4. Choose boswellia, a herb from a tree in India, that is used to interrupt the inflammation process associated with colitis. A resin in the tree's bark is the active ingredient that blocks the body's chemical reaction that causes inflammation.
5. Change your diet to reduce the intake of sweets and increase Vitamin C intake. Foods rich in Vitamin C include citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli, cantaloupe, red peppers and tomatoes.
6. Let folic acid be a part of your regimen to treat colitis naturally. Folic acid is considered by many to significantly reduce the risk of colon cancer associated with ulcerative colitis.
7. Try the Chinese method of acupuncture to naturally treat colitis. Acupuncture treatment is based on the idea that unblocking the energy pathways of the body also releases the body's natural pain relief (opioids). It is considered to cause release of hormones and neurochemicals that calm the sympathetic nervous system.
8. Evaluate the claim that bromelain is a risk-free way to treat colitis naturally. Bromelain is a mixture of enzymes from the pineapple plant that support protein digestion.
9. Count mind and body therapies as valid considerations for natural treatment of colitis. Therapies include biofeedback, hypnotherapy, prayer and meditation, guided imagery and music therapy.
10. Check out slippery elm to treat ulcerative colitis. Slippery elm can be taken as a capsule or made into tea.
11. Put devil's claw on your list to consider for reducing inflammation resulting from ulcerative colitis. Devil's claw is native to South Africa.
12. Look at calendula as a natural herb to treat inflammation. Calendula tea is made by adding 1 tbsp (heaping) of dried flowers to a cup of hot water.

Tips & Warnings

• Use natural remedies only under the approval and direction of your physician. Even though the ingredients are considered to be natural, they can still have dire consequences when combined with some medications.