How to Ease Crohn's Disease With Alternative Remedies
Crohn's disease is a noncontagious inflammatory intestinal disorder. It affects the small and large intestines and the digestive system. Although bacterial infection has been speculated as a factor, there are currently no known or proven causes for this condition. Symptoms of Crohn's disease include fever, abdominal pain or discomfort, rectal pain and bleeding, anal fissures, abscesses in the rectum, diminished appetite, weight loss and diarrhea. Diagnostic methods for determining if you have Crohn's disease are bloods tests, CAT scans and barium X-rays. Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory or immuno-modulator medications to help ease your symptoms. In more serious situations, your doctor may suggest surgery. Additionally you may want to consider using alternative remedies to help. Even though there is no known cure for Crohn's disease, there are natural options that may aid in making your condition more manageable.
Things You'll Need
- Modified diet
- Red clover capsules, tincture or tea
- Cod liver oil
- Aloe vera juice
Instructions
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Change your diet by getting rid of foods that are high in histamine, a compound that contains nitrogen. Many Crohn's sufferers have an intolerance for histamine, so avoiding foods that contain it can be important to relieving some of your symptoms. Eliminate dairy foods, wine, sauerkraut, tomatoes and spinach. You should also stay away from foods that irritate your digestive tract. This includes caffeine, carbonated drinks, white flour, eggs, meat, fried foods, spicy foods, popcorn, chocolate and alcohol.
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Include foods in your diet such as carrots, garlic, kale, broccoli, celery, Brussels sprouts, brown rice, papaya and oatmeal, as they have no acidity and will not irritate your digestive system. When preparing vegetables, you should boil, bake or steam them, with little or no seasoning.
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Take red clover to decrease inflammation and cleanse the blood. Red clover is extracted from the flowers of a perennial first used in Russia and China for its medicinal properties. You can get it in capsules, tincture or tea form. Take the recommended dosage, as provided for the individual product you are using. You should not take red clover if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, on birth control pills, suffer from heart disease, have breast, cervical or ovarian cancer or are at risk for stroke or blood clots.
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Try cod liver oil, since it is rich in Omega-3 fish oil and may help with reducing inflammation. Take one tsp. per day. Be prepared to deal with the taste, however, which is considerably unpleasant. If you can't deal with the taste, then get enteric-coated cod liver oil supplements. You may experience side-effects, such as gas, bloating, nausea or bloating. If these persist, stop taking the cod liver oil. Do not take cod liver oil if you are on anticoagulant medications orare diabetic.
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Consider drinking aloe vera juice. A half-cup two times per day can be beneficial as a stool-softener. Since it does have a laxative effect, it should not be used over a long period of time, but only occasionally, to gently clean the bowels. Do not take aloe vera juice if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Consult with your doctor before drinking aloe vera juice, if you are taking diuretics or are on medications for diabetes. If you are not sure whether aloe vera juice is suitable for you, speak with your doctor first.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider consulting a nutritionist to help you design a "healing" diet.
Never take an alternative remedy before consulting your doctor.
These alternative remedies are for adult use only and not for children.
