Eight Highly Effective Crohn’s Disease Herbal Remedies
There are many herbs that are known to be beneficial in the treatment of crohn’s disease.
Herbs from plants have been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes to treat scores of ailments including treating gastrointestinal disorders such as crohn’s and colitis.
Herbs and are a safer and gentler alternative to side effect-ridden prescription drugs. Yes, Herbs are potent and effective compounds. Most modern day medicines have their roots in Herbs.
Herbs may be taken as supplements, added to recipes, in tea, or eaten whole, depending on the herb.
The following herbs are known to be highly effective for treating Crohn’s disease
1. Psyllium husks
Recent studies have shown positive benefits of Psyllium in Crohn’s Disease, where it acts as a probiotic helping to heal the inner lining of the inflamed intestines.
In a multi-center clinical trial, researchers determined that psyllium supplements might be as effective as mesalamine, a prescription anti-inflammatory drug, for maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis, a serious intestinal disorder.
Many physicians recommend the use of psyllium as a bulking agent for mild to moderate cases of diarrhea from either ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. Read more on the benefits of psyllium husks for Crohn’s disease »
2. Turmeric
Turmeric (Curcuma longa), a spice and food coloring related to the ginger family and a common ingredient of curry is a staple of traditional medicine in both India and China.
Studies have indicated that curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, may be effective in reducing and preventing inflammation in both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Research has proven that curcumin may prove to be a cheap, well-tolerated, and effective therapy for crohn’s disease. This food ingredient has for generations been regarded as a potent anti-inflammatory within many eastern civilizations.
Read more on the benefits of Turmeric – Curcumin for treating Crohn’s disease »
3. Slippery elm bark tea
Slippery Elm is a wonderful herb to use for both inflammation and diarrhea, and to ease 
the overall gastrointestinal symptoms of Crohn’s disease. This herb coats, soothes and heals irritated and inflamed tissues in the stomach, bowels and kidneys. Slippery elm is also one of the best herbs to use for diarrhea. It normalizes the stools, while soothing and healing the intestinal tract lining.
Intestinal blockages are a common side effect of Crohn’s disease because the inflamed intestinal tissue can create scars with shrink the passageway. Since Slippery Elm helps normalize stools, this can be an herb to help with blockages as well.
Slippery Elm is considered an effective herb for soothing the entire digestive tract. This is because the bark has anti-inflammatory properties as one of its ingredients is mucilage, which resists digestion and hydrolysis via enzymes and stomach acids.
Slippery elm is usually made into a tea or added to porridge.
To make Slippery Elm Tea, mix a teaspoon of slippery elm powder to a paste with a little warm water. Add boiling water while stirring vigorously. If you wish, a little honey can be added to sweeten the drink. Now simply sip it.. Drink 2-3 cups daily.
Slippery Elm can continue to be used for ongoing soothing and healing. Since this herb heals as well as soothes, Crohn’s disease sufferers may want to consider adding it to their daily vitamin and herbal intake for several weeks to a month.
Slippery elm Capsules are available for those who don’t like the tea, can’t be bothered with it, or just for convenience. It is best to take the capsules with plenty of fluid; even 2-3 capsules absorb a lot of fluid. Take 1-8 capsules 3 times daily.
4. Cayenne
Many people with crohn’s disease have found that whenever their crohn’s symptoms "flare up", mixing in a tablespoon of cayenne pepper and 2 tablespoons of natural apple cider vinegar in a 8 ounce glass of warm water helps with their symptoms.
The Cayenne, or Guinea pepper, or Bird pepper is a hot, red chili pepper used to flavor dishes and for medicinal purposes.
Internal bleeding is a common complication of Crohn’s disease, and this can be dangerous if left untreated. An herbal way to treat bleeding however, is the use of Cayenne. Simple cayenne pepper such as what you use to flavor meals at the dinner table will stop external and internal bleeding. Cayenne is an herb also known as Capsicum, and it can be purchased in capsule form online, or at almost any drug, herb, or natural health store.
5. Boswellia
Boswellia has anti-inflammatory effects, and can therefore ease the inflammation of the bowel and ease the symptoms of Crohn’s disease.
Based on these observations, boswellia has been suggested as a potential treatment for ulcerative colitis and crohn’s disease.
An 8-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 102 people with Crohn’s disease compared a standardized extract of boswellia against the drug mesalazine. Participants taking boswellia fared at least as well as those taking mesalazine, according to a standard method of scoring Crohn’s disease severity.
In patients with Crohn’s disease, boswellia can help reduce the immune cells that promote inflammation while increasing the number of immune cells that inhibit inflammation (the anti-inflammatory cells). In studies of patients with inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, boswellia reduced gastrointestinal inflammation and tissue damage.
Boswellia has been shown to reduce inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease, and other autoimmune conditions by blocking the lethal pro-inflammatory enzyme 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX). A number of immune system chemicals released during the inflammatory response contribute to the chronic inflammation seen in atherosclerosis, osteoarthritis and certain autoimmune diseases. Blocking these pro-inflammatory chemicals reduces symptoms of inflammation and helps taper the autoimmune mechanism.
Suggested use of Boswellia for Crohn’s disease: Take 100 mg three times daily for up to 8 weeks to notice results.
6. Garlic
Garlic is another very important herb that’s used in the initial steps for controlling symptoms and complications of Crohn’s disease, and it is yet another one that should be used regularly for several weeks. If the inflammation of your intestinal tract lining is caused by bacteria, fungus, or other infections, the garlic will heal those infections and kill the harmful bacteria in your system.
Take a clove of chopped or crushed raw garlic three times daily on an empty stomach to kill bacteria and balance intestinal flora.
7. Aloe Vera
The juice of the inner leaf of the Aloe Vera plant is well-known for its anti-inflammatory effect it has on Crohn’s disease.
There is limited but promising research of the use of oral aloe Vera in Crohn’s disease, compared to placebo.
Aloe contains at least three anti-inflammatory fatty acids that are helpful for the stomach, small intestine and colon. It naturally alkalizes digestive juices to prevent over acidity – a common cause of indigestion. It helps cleanse the digestive tract by exerting a soothing, balancing effect. Read more on the benefits of Aloe Vera for Crohn’s disease »
8. Wormwood Capsules
New research points to the use of Wormwood in managing Crohn’s disease.
A 10 week study conducted in Germany evaluated the potential benefits of wormwood for treatment of people with Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory condition of the intestines. Of the 40 people enrolled in the study, all of them had the disease under control though the use of pharmaceutical medications such as steroids.
Half were given Wormwood Capsules (500 mg three time daily) while the other half were placebos. At the start of week two of the study, researchers began a gradual tapering down of the steroid dosage used by participants. Over subsequent weeks, those given the placebo showed the expected worsening of symptoms that the reduction of drug dosage would be expected to cause. In contrast, those receiving wormwood showed a gradual improvement of symptoms. No serious side effects were attributed to wormwood in this study.
Related Articles:
Five Highly Effective Rheumatoid Arthritis Herbal Remedies
Seven Highly Effective Natural Psoriasis Treatment Topical Creams
also be sure to use the right dosages of it, ok just saying!
Fantastic. I have suffered from UC for over 30 years and this information is wonderful. Having an alternative to the standard medications, with the emphasis on inflammation, offers another option when the body is exhausted from years of chemical treatments. Thank you.