Tag: herbal treatment for ulcerative colitis

March 17, 2021

Best Herbal Alternatives to Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis Treatment

Abstract

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic relapsing inflammatory bowel disease. It is an inflammation of the large intestine specifically in the colon. It causes ulcers and inflammation in the intestines. This disease mostly affects the innermost lining of the intestines. But it can also affect the whole length of the colon. This inflammation produces tiny sores which is called ulcers and spreads upward direction also. This further causes your bowel to move rapidly and empty frequently. Ulcer causes bleeding and discharge of mucus through anal region. It is an autoimmune disorder and affects people of all ages. The most common drug used in the treatment of UC is mesalamine, but this drug has many side effects also. So in this article we are going to discuss mesalamine and its alternative in Ayurveda.

Introduction

Mesalamine is an Anti-inflammatory drug. It is the active component of sulfasalazine. This drug probably inhibits prostaglandins and leukotriene synthesis. Mesalamine is the official name given to 5-ASA (aminosalicylic acid). 5-ASA is the active moiety in ulcerative colitis, but this drug is not effective orally. So it has been coated with pH sensitive acrylic polymer. This coated formulation delivers 5-ASA to the small intestine and colon.

ulcerative colitis causes

Pharmacokinetic

Mesalamine is not absorbed orally until it is coated with acrylic polymer. It is metabolized in the liver and excreted from urine. Its half-life is 0.5-10 hour. The action of this medicine is hampered in the patient who is suffering from renal diseases.

Dosage

2.4 gm dose has been found in the improvement of the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Mesacol (Mesalamine) is available in following formulations and doses:

  1. Mesacol 400 mg
  2. Mesacol 800 mg
  3. Mesacol 1.2 grams
  4. Mesacol enema 4 g/60 ml.

Adverse effects

  • Nausea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Flatulence
  • Dizziness
  • Acne
  • Nephrotoxicity

Contraindications

It is contraindicated in

  • Hepatic and renal impairment
  • It should not be taken with glucocorticoids and sulfonylureas as it causes gastric toxicity and also increases the hypoglycemic action of sulfonylureas.
  • Also there are interactions with furosemide, spironolactone, methotrexate and rifampicin.

Uses

  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Crohn’s disease

The physician advised the patient that he/she had to live on the medicine for lifelong. Only dose adjustment is there either in lower dosage or higher dosage as per the patient symptoms. Long term use of this medicine causes hepatic and renal impairment.

Alternatives in Ayurveda

Ayurveda is the oldest holistic science. It treats various acute and even chronic diseases. This science treats the disease from its root cause. It provides two best formulations which are good alternatives to mesalamine. These two formulations include Kutaj ghan Vati and Vatsakadi Churna. These two herbal formulations have proven better for ulcerative colitis disease. This Ayurvedic medicine is much more effective than mesalamine and doesn’t cause any side effects as mesalamine does.

herbal supplements for ulcerative colitis

herbal supplements for ulcerative colitis1. Kutaj ghan vati

  1. This is a classical Ayurvedic formulation. It is made from the standardized extracts of Kutaj (Holarrhena antidysenterica). This herb is used in treating acute or chronic diarrhea. As the name suggests dysenterica it is mainly used in diarrhea, dysentery. This is the best herbal supplement for ulcerative colitis. Severe forms of diarrhea, dysentery, bleeding can be cured with the regular use of kutaj ghan vati. This provides proper functioning to the intestines. It provides complete relief from the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease.

Chemical composition

Seeds of kutaj contain five main alkaloids

  • Conessine
  • Isoconessimine
  • Conessimin
  • Conarrhimin
  • Conimin

These alkaloids have antidysenteric and anthelmintic properties

Ayurvedic properties of Kutaj (Raspanchak)1

1. Ras (taste) – tikta (Bitter), kshaya (Astringent)

These two tastes help in pacifying pitta dosha and helps in stoppage of bleeding from stools.

2. Guna (properties) – Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)

These properties help in balancing the vata dosha and stop the spread of this disease. This herb is easy to digest

3. Virya (potency) – Sheet (Cold)

This cool potency is helpful in ulcers and bleeding condition

4. Vipaka (post digestion effect) – katu (Pungent)

This pungent property helps in digestion and provides anti-inflammatory action

5. Karma (uses)

Piles, diarrhea, dysentery, mucus, skin disorders

2. Vatsakadi Churna

This is an Ayurvedic classical formulation. It provides strength to the digestive system naturally. It contains Kutaj (Holarrhena antidysenterica) and Bilva (Aegle marmelos). These two herbs are very beneficial in digestive disorders. This formulation is best to check diarrhea, gas formation and irregular bowel movements.

This formulation is used in treating mucus formation

1. Ras (taste) – tikta (Bitter), kshaya (Astringent)

Helps in stoppage of bleeding from stools and mucus.

2. Guna (properties) – Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)

It is easily to digest and treat ulcers

3. Virya (potency) – ushna (hot)

It is helpful in improving digestion

4. Vipaka (post digestion effect) – katu (Pungent)

It improves digestion and stimulates digestive fire

5. Karma (uses)

Piles, diarrhea, dysentery, mucus

Conclusion

As mentioned above in the article mesalamine is having many side effects that leave very serious impacts on the body especially on our immune system. Our immune system is responsible for protecting our body from various kinds of infection and disorders and any impairment in our immune system can lead a person towards drastic conditions. So it’s better to use Ayurveda treatment because it does not cause any side effects and also treats the disease from its root. So above mentioned two best herbal formulations are effective in inflammatory bowel disease.

References

  1. Bhavprakash nighantu, Guduchyadi varga/118
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February 24, 2017

How to Cure Ulcerative Colitis Naturally-Diet, Herbs & Home Remedies

In today’s scenario most of the persons are suffering from health issues like acute and chronic. There are many of diseases which are due to the improper unhealthy lifestyle and eating habits. Ulcerative colitis is also one of them related to the painful condition of gastrointestinal tract. It is considered as an autoimmune disease condition in which body’s own immune system attacks the body and causes health issues that may cause inflammation and other diseased conditions. This can be managed with the help of balanced diet, proper lifestyle, natural herbs and few home remedies that help to manage the disease symptoms to greater extent.

What is ulcerative colitis and what can be the causes?

  • It is an inflammatory diseased condition which causes long lasting inflammation and ulcers in digestive tract. It affects the innermost lining of large intestine and rectum. It can be characterized by abdominal pain, cramping, rectal pain and bleeding, weight loss, diarrhea often with blood loss etc. The main
  • The main cause of this disorder may be improper lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits like spicy food, unbalanced diet, excessive intake of alcohol and other causes may include insomnia, stress and hereditary.

natural treatment for ulcerative colitis 

Causes of ulcerative colitis as per Ayurveda

  • As per Ayurveda it is known as pittaj grahani. Healthy body has three energies – vata, pitta and kapha. Imbalance of any three energies results in health issues. As per Ayurveda aggravation of pitta dosha is the main cause of ulcerative colitis, in some cases vata dosha is involved. Aggravation of pitta is due to consumption of pitta aggravating foods which results in the damage to rakta dhatu (blood tissues) and mamsa dhatu (muscle tissues). Due to this there is the formation of ama (toxins) in the intestine. The vata dosha also gets aggravated in the lower colon region which causes the mucous accumulation and inflammation.

How to Cure Ulcerative Colitis Naturally

  • Along with medical treatments, diet, natural herbs and home remedies – such as diet and exercise – can help to aid with ulcerative colitis symptoms, too. Let us explain how you and your condition can benefit from these natural remedies.

Diet in Ulcerative Colitis

  • Diet plays an important role in management of any disease. Bad eating habits are the main cause of ulcerative colitis. Intake of unbalanced diet like spicy and greasy food that results in ulcerative colitis. Unhealthy diet and lifestyle like lack of proper sleep, anxiety, depression, and smoking are also major causes of ulcerative colitis. The patients who suffers from ulcerative colitis are advised to take proper care of diet along with medicines.
  • There are some general guidelines that may help keep your symptoms at bay. People should take care of following dietary guidelines which are given below:

What should eat?

  • Dairy products– up to 2 cups of low fat milk, cottage cheese, pudding, or yogurt per day.
  • Grains: breads, pasta, crackers, and dry cereals that have less than 1/2 a gram of fiber per serving.
  • Meats and other proteins: soft and tender cooked meats, such as poultry, eggs, pork, and fish; smooth peanut and nut butter
  • Fruits: Fruit juices with no pulp; canned fruits and applesauce, not including pineapple; raw, ripe bananas, melon, cantaloupe, watermelon, plums, peaches, and apricots
  • Vegetables: Raw lettuce, cucumbers, zucchini, and onion; cooked spinach, pumpkin, seedless yellow squash, carrots, eggplant, potatoes, and green and wax beans

What should not eat?

  • Avoid the following foods:
  • Deli meats
  • Dry fruits, berries, figs, prunes, and prune juice
  • Raw vegetables not mentioned in the list above
  • Spicy sauces, dressings, pickles, and relishes with chunks
  • Nuts, seeds, and popcorn
  • Foods and beverages that contain caffeine, cocoa, and alcohol

herbs for ulcerative colitis

Herbs Used in Ulcerative Colitis

There are various herbs used in the management of ulcerative colitis in natural way without any negative impact on health. Some of the herbs are explained below:

  • Saunf (Foeniculum vulgare)–It is the one of most common spice used in Indian kitchen. It is very effective herb to provide relief in the symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain/cramps, rectal bleeding and burning sensation in chest which are associated with ulcerative colitis. It is used in the preparation of vatskadi churna.
  • Dhania (Coriander sativum) – It is also commonly known as the coriander and also used as spice in Indian kitchen. Moreover it has the great medicinal importance in Ayurveda which is packed with the digestive, astringent, appetizer and anti-dyspeptic properties. It is very effective to manage the symptoms of ulcerative colitis without causing any negative impacts on health. It is one of the ingredient used in Vatskadi churna.
  • Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) – Nadisarija is the Sanskrit name of Arjunaand it is very potent herb in Ayurveda due to its great medicinal properties.  Use of this herb is very effective to manage the complications of ulcerative colitis in a natural way and provides relief in rectal bleeding, ulcers, bloody stools and abdominal pain. Arjuna capsules are prepared using this herb.
  • Kutaja (Holarrhena antidysenterica) – This herb is useful for the treatment of chronic diarrhea in ulcerative colitis and helps to remove ama (toxins) and also helps to provide the relief in the abdominal cramps rectal bleeding and inflammation of colon. It is used in the preparation of kutajghan vati.

HOME REMEDIES FOR ULCERATIVE COLITIS

There are few home remedies for the management of ulcerative colitis include:

  • Consume a glass of juice of plain/ Green grass on a daily basis.
  • Chew some fresh rose petals to reduce heart burn, acidity and burning feeling and it also helps in healing process.
  • Consume one mashed banana with fresh curd every day to reduce the symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
  • Consume daily 50 to 60 ml juice of pomegranate to deal with ulcerative colitis and combat loss of blood.
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