Ulcerative Colitis And Its Herbal Remedies

Abstract

Ulcerative Colitis is an autoimmune disorder. These are the conditions in which the immune system attacks its own body. Immune system normally guards the body against various germs and infections. When the immune system senses the foreign particles then it sends its own army to fight against these foreign things. But autoimmune disorders arise when the immune system mistakenly attacks its own body cells. They mistakenly attack the body parts like joints, skin etc as a foreign particle. It releases a protein which is called autoantibodies, that attacks the healthy cells of the body. There are Approximately 80 types of autoimmune disorders respectively. But in this article we are going to discuss herbal remedies for Ulcerative colitis.

Introduction

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the lining of large intestines and causes irritation, inflammation and ulcers in the innermost lining of the large intestine and rectum. Ulcerative colitis can be a debilitating disease and can also lead to life-threatening complications. This chronic inflammation produces a small sore in the intestine which is called ulcers. These ulcers begin in the rectum usually and spread upward to the large intestine. The main symptom of UC condition is diarrhea with blood and mucus mixed stools.

Ayurvedic Aspect

In ayurvedic point of view we can correlate this disease with Raktajatisar. Our Acharya mentioned the causes as eating over indigestion, Eating in improper time, consumption of heavy, cold, contaminated, rough and stale food items, suffers from recurrent diarrhea, consumption of unfavorable diet, consumption of raw food items and also the consumption of Pitta predominant food items or we can say if a person is suffering from chronic diarrhea and still that patient is consuming pitta predominant food items then it may lead to raktajatisar. This disease may show symptoms like bloody diarrhea, frequent passing of stools, mucus mixed stool, excessive thirst, burning sensation.

Etiology / Causes

There is no exact cause of this disease. Doctors believe that this disease is caused by genetic and environmental factors. Diet and stress also lead to autoimmune disorders.

Clinical Features / Signs and Symptoms

A person who is suffering from ulcerative colitis may show the following symptoms:

• Frequent Motions 
• Abdominal Cramp And Pain
• Rectal Bleeding
• Weight Loss
• Bloody Diarrhea
• Mucus Mixed Stool
• Fever
• Fatigue

Complications

Possible complications of ulcerative colitis are:

• Severe Bleeding
• Perforated Colon
• Severe Dehydration
• Increased Risk Of Colon Cancer

Diagnosis

A doctor will diagnose this disease by proper medical history and endoscopic procedures. Endoscopic procedures with tissue biopsy are the best diagnostic method for ulcerative colitis.

Chikitsa (Treatment)

Acharya Charaka mentioned the treatment protocol for Raktajatisar as

Undigested food means Aama which is left behind in the intestines can be removed by detoxification therapy, followed by deepan and pachan karma (appetizer and digestive therapy). If that Amarasa is circulating in the whole body so it can be removed or treated by fasting or administration of light diet. Also the treatment is based on the patient’s condition or severity of symptoms. Two types of treatments are beneficial in all the conditions:

• Shodhana Chikitsa
• Shaman Chikitsa 

Samshodhana Chikitsa:

This procedure includes different detoxification processes. These processes remove the Aama or undigested food from the intestines. These procedures include:

• Snehan, Svedana
• Vaman (induce vomiting)
• Niruha-Vasti (unctuous enema)
• Anuvasana Vasti (non-unctuous enema)

Samshamana Chikitsa:

This treatment procedure includes the use of oral medications along with shodhan therapy. This type of treatment minimizes the symptoms. The samshaman chikitsa includes various formulations like:

Rasa Preparation

• Chintamani Rasa
• Rasa Parpati
• Nripati Vallabh Rasa
• Ramvana Rasa
• Aanand Bhairav Ras
• Panchamrit Parpati

Vati Preparation

• Paniyabhakta Vati
• Atisarhar Vati
• Jatiphaladi Vati
• Sanjeevani
• Kutaj Ghan

Churna

• Vatsakadi Churna
• Vilva Majja Churna
• Narayan Churna
• Dadimashtak Churna
• Gangadhar Churna

Kwath (decoction)

• Dhanyakadi Kwath
• Dhanyapanchak Kwath
• Nagradi Kwath
• Tiktadi Kwath

Asava / Arishta

• Kutjarishta
• Jeerakadhyarishta
• Madhukasava
• Takrarishta
• Duralbhasava

Ghrit / Tail

• Chandnadhya Ghrit
• Dashmuladya Ghrit
• Mahashtapal Ghrit

Pathya Aahara (favourable food)

• Puranashali Chawal (old rice)
• Laajmanda (soupy diet)
• Banana
• Takra
• Goat Milk
• Til Tail (sesame oil)
• Bilva (Aegle marmelos)
• Kutaj Chaal (Holerenna antidysentrica)


• Changeri (Oxalis corniculata)
• Jeera (Cuminum cyminum)

Apathy Aahara (Unfavourable food)

• Wheat
• Joon (barley)
• Pea
• Potato
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Pumpkin
• Spinach
• Milk
• Cow’s Urine
• Yavkshar
• Heavy Diets
• Sour Taste Products
• Excessive Salty And Spicy Food Items

Pathya Vihar (favourable lifestyle)

• Sleep in morning hours
• Therapeutic vomiting
• Fasting
• Panchakarama procedures except virechan karma (Purgation)

Apathy Vihar (unfavourable lifestyle)

• Virechana (purgation)
• Drinking Excessive Water
• Excessive Sexual Activity
• Smoking
• Alcohol
• Excessive Physical Activity

Herbal Remedies For Ulcerative Colitis

Planet Ayurveda is a herbal manufacturing company that manufactures various herbal products under the guidance of expert physicians and made from the standardized extracts of potential herbs. The products are 100% natural and free from chemicals and additives. The products provided by Planet Ayurveda for Ulcerative colitis are:

1. Arjuna Capsules
2. Vatsakadi Churna
3. Pitta Balance 
4. Kutajghan Vati

Products Description

1. Arjuna Capsules

This herbal product of Planet Ayurveda provides good relief in bleeding as well as heart disorders. These capsules are made by using the extracts of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna). Arjuna is traditionally used in heart disorders. This herb provides relief from bleeding in ulcerative colitis. This herb maintains the overall blood circulation in the body and helps in clearing away the blockage in the arteries. It improves pumping activity of the heart, improves cardiac muscle strength and also improves cholesterol level.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day after meals with plain water

2. Vatsakadi Churna

This is a Planet Ayurveda herbal product in powder form. This herbal product strengthens the digestive system naturally. This product is made from the extracts of herbs like Kutaj (Holarrhena antidysenterica) and Bilva (Aegle marmelos). The herb Bilva is specifically used in providing relief from mucus. This herbal supplement is beneficial in providing relief from IBS, gastritis, Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, etc. 

Dosage: 1 tsp twice a day after meals with plain water

3. Pitta Balance

This is a poly herbal formulation. This herbal product is very effective against pitta related problems. It is prepared from the natural calcium compounds like Jaharmohra pishti, Kaharwa pishti, Kamdudha ras and akik pishti (Agate compound), Mukta pishti (natural calcium compound from pearl) and Giloy satva (Tinospora cordifolia). This compound is a natural balancer of fire element (elevated pitta dosha). It relieves the unusual feeling in the body. It is also helpful in blood pressure.

Dosage: 1 capsules twice a day after meals with plain water

4. Kutajghan Vati

This is a classical Ayurvedic formulation. This is the best anti-dysentery herbal medicine. It is prepared from the extracts of Kutaj (Holarrhena antidysenterica). It is helpful in treating severe diarrhea with ease and no side effects. This is the best herbal supplement for ulcerative colitis. This herb maintains the intestinal movements and also forms bulk stool which is helpful in diarrhea. The regular use of kutaj herb reduces the chances of recurrent diarrheal episodes.

Dosage: 2 tablets twice a day after meals with plain water

Conclusion

There is no cure in allopathic medicine, they just include treatment like corticosteroids and immune-suppressive medications and for diarrhea they normally use loperamide. At last they are left with surgical procedures like proctocolectomy and ileorectal anastomosis. So at last we concluded that for Ulcerative colitis we must follow Ayurvedic treatment without any side effects and these are easy to use and safe to use.