Ulcerative colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, a chronic gastrointestinal disorder. Ulcerative colitis affects the lining of the colon and rectum, and may cause rectal bleeding, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fatigue. Conventional treatment may include anti-inflammatory drugs like sulfasalazine, mesalamine, corticosteroids or immune system suppressors, but these may have unpleasant side effects. Herbal remedies may be an alternate treatment to reduce inflammation and relieve abdominal pain. It is important to consult a health care professional before starting herbal therapy.
Barbatimao
Barbatimao, or Abarema cochliacarpos, is a small tree with large, circular bean pods native to Brazil. Folk healers wash external ulcers with a decoction, or boiled extract, of the bark, and they make a beverage with the decoction and white wine to treat gastric ulcers. They also use barbatimao tea as an analgesic to alleviate the pain of inflammation, cancer and gastrointestinal disorders. The bark contains saponins, catechins, tannins and anthraquinones, and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. A study published in the March 2010 issue of the Journal of Ethnopharmacology tested a barbatimao bark extract on animals with induced ulcerative colitis. The study found a reduction of lesions and inflammation in the treated animals as compared to the control group. This study supports the traditional use of barbatimao bark to treat gastrointestinal diseases like ulcerative colitis, but further studies on humans are needed to confirm these results.
Golden Valerian
Golden valerian, or Patrinia scabiosaefolia, is an aromatic perennial with golden-yellow flower clusters found throughout the world. In traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, it is associated with the colon, stomach and liver, and its function is to clear heat and eliminate blood stagnation. Herbalists use golden valerian to treat inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases, viral infections and hepatitis. The plant contains oleanonic acid, oleanolic acid and ursolic acid, all of which have anti-inflammatory actions. A study reported in the June 2010 issue of the Journal of Ethnopharmacology tested a root extract on animals with induced ulcerative colitis. After seven days, the extract significantly reduced intestinal inflammation in the treated animals. The researchers suggest that the extract worked by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are signaling molecules that promote inflammation. The study found that the effects of the plant extract were superior to those of mesalamine, a conventional drug used to treat ulcerative colitis. This study validates the traditional use of golden valerian to treat inflammatory bowel diseases, but clinical studies on humans are needed to confirm these results.
Slippery Elm
Slippery elm, or Ulmus rubra, is a tall deciduous tree native to the central and southern United States. The inner bark contains mucilage, a slimy substance that forms a protective coating over mucus membranes. Native Americans used the bark to treat sore throat, wounds and burns, and contemporary herbalists use it to treat many inflammatory and ulcerative conditions, including ulcerative colitis. A study published in the February 2002 issue of Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics tested five herbs and the anti-inflammatory drug mesalamine on mucosal biopsies of patients with ulcerative colitis. The study found that slippery elm significantly reduced inflammation and its antioxidant properties reduced free radicals, which can promote systemic inflammation. The research also found that slippery elm acted similarly to mesalamine. This study supports the traditional use of slippery elm for treating ulcerative conditions. Further research is needed to confirm these results.
References
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Anti-inflammatory intestinal activity of Abarema cochliacarpos (Gomes) Barneby & Grimes in TNBS colitis model; da Silva MS, Sánchez-Fidalgo S, Talero E, Cárdeno A, da Silva MA, Villegas W, Souza Brito AR, de La Lastra CA; March 2010
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Anti-inflammatory effects of methanol extract of Patrinia scabiosaefolia in mice with ulcerative colitis; Cho EJ, Shin JS, Noh YS, Cho YW, Hong SJ, Park JH, Lee JY, Lee JY, Lee KT; June 2010
- "Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics"; Antioxidant effects of herbal therapies used by patients with inflammatory bowel disease: an in vitro study; Langmead L, Dawson C, Hawkins C, Banna N, Loo S, Rampton DS; February 2002
