Herbal Nutrition Chronicle

Ulcerative colitis is a form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and a form of colitis treated as an autoimmune disease; which can be a localized inflammation of the lower part of the large intestine or colon.

Ulcerative colitis is continuous inflammation with bleeding sores on the lining of the colon all the way to the anus causing bouts of abdominal cramps or pain, bloating, bloody diarrhea, fever, gas and sometimes hard stools.

The causes of most cases of colitis are unknown, but possible contributing factors include food allergies, poor eating habits, heredity, infection, stress and antibiotic use. Although dietary inadequacies play a role, it has been established that anxiety and emotional stress can precipitate an attack and that the degree of stress influences the severity of colitis by causing the brain to generate a substance that attacks intestinal cells and activates defensive inflammation and pain.

Individuals with IBD often have dietary deficiencies of iron, vitamin B12, vitamin B9 (folic acid), magnesium, potassium, vitamin D, zinc and sometimes low levels of vitamin K, copper, vitamin B3 (niacin) and vitamin E.

Colitis forces nutrients through the intestinal tract before they can be properly absorbed. Supplements may help prevent nutritional deficiencies and encourage healing. A high potency multivitamin-mineral supplement is recommended as part of any treatment program.

Colitis instigated by antibiotic treatment, infections or nutritional deficiencies usually respond to home remedies.

Natural Remedies

1. Acidophilus helps digestion and helps maintain a healthy bacterial balance in the digestive tract. Take 1 teaspoon powder or liquid in water twice daily.

2. Alfalfa supplies vitamin K and chlorophyll needed for healing and is useful for gas pains. It improves digestion and cleanses the blood. Take 1 tablet or 1 tablespoon liquid three times daily.

3. Aloe vera juice for ulcerative colitis will aid in healing the colon. Drinking 1 teaspoon of pure aloe juice after meals can have a lasting effect. WARNING: At higher dosages, aloe vera juice can have a laxative effect.

4. Chamomile soothes and tones the digestive tract and helps ease alternating constipation and diarrhea. Drink 2 to 3 cups of tea daily. Do not use on an ongoing basis and avoid completely if you are allergic to ragweed.

5. Licorice root has soothing and healing properties that help counter intestinal inflammation. Chew two wafers (usually 380 milligrams) of deglycyrrhizinated (DGL) licorice after each meal during a flare up of symptoms. Plain licorice can raise blood pressure and its long term use should be avoided. The DGL form does not pose this risk.

6. Nicotine; a drug you hardly hear of positive things about, has shown to be beneficial for individuals with ulcerative colitis. A study showed when nicotine patches were placed on those for weeks at a time, the colitis conditions improved noticeably. Follow your physicians directions. I do not recommend to start smoking.

7. Omega-3 fatty acids help to reduce inflammation. Follow package directions.

8. Pectin soothes inflamed membranes and speeds healing by nourishing cells in the lining of the colon. It is available as a supplement, follow package directions.

9. Peppermint tea and peppermint oil have long been used to calm intestinal spasms. Peppermint oil capsules should be enteric coated to prevent the oil from being released in the stomach to be most effective. With the coating, the peppermint oil travels to the intestines where it relaxes the intestinal muscles and promotes the elimination of excess gas. Follow package directions.

10. Slippery elm bark may help ease some symptoms during flare ups. It may also sooth the digestive tract during remission. Take this remedy in decoction form by combining 2 to 3 teaspoons of powered bark with 1 cup of water. Boil and simmer for about 15 minutes. Add some cinnamon or sugar to help the taste and drink 2 to 3 cups daily.

11. Vitamin B complex restores possible nutritional deficits and helps to repair intestinal walls. Take one dose daily.

12. Vitamin C and vitamin E are antioxidants that prevent damage to the intestinal wall and promote tissue healing. Take 1,500 milligrams of vitamin C and 200 to 400 IU of vitamin E daily.

13. Zinc can be used to help repair intestinal walls. Take 30 milligrams of zinc picolinate daily. Avoid zinc sulfate, which may not be absorbed and utilized properly. Zinc hinders the absorption of copper; to compensate, add 2 milligram of copper to the daily program.

Other herbs that may offer health benefits for individuals with ulcerative colitis include dandelion, feverfew, papaya, red clover and yarrow extract or tea.

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Nutritional And Natural Remedies For Bruises

Posted On 2012-05-16 , 9:59 AM

Bruises; black and blue marks, usually appear from bumps or an injury that involves the rupture of small blood vessels causing discoloration of underlying tissues without a break in the overlying skin. The bruise gradually changes color from blue to green to brownish yellow as the body conducts its healing.

There are factors that may cause or make individuals susceptible to bruising more easily than they should. These factors include anemia, heavy smoking, hemophilia (blood clotting disorder), leukemia, malnutrition, menstruation, overweight and obesity, vitamin C deficiency and use of anti-clotting medicine.

Exercise sometimes causes micro-tears in the blood vessels below the skin. When the tears occur, blood seeps out into the tissues and then a bruise appears.

If you think that you are bruising easily and can not figure out the cause, you should talk to your doctor about it. Sometimes bruises are a sign of an illness. Some disorders of the blood can cause unexplained bruises.

The following nutrients, natural substances and remedies may be beneficial.

Nutritional Supplements

Vitamin C with bioflavonoids help to prevent bruising by supplying oxygen to the injured cells and strengthening capillary walls. Take 3,000 - 10,000 milligrams daily in divided doses.

Vitamin D plus calcium and magnesium help protect the skin and is needed for blood cell formation. Take 400 - 800 IU vitamin D daily, take 2,000 milligrams calcium daily and 1,000 milligrams magnesium daily.

Vitamin E improves circulation in body tissues. Start with 400 IU daily and slowly increase to 800 IU daily. Do not exceed 400 IU daily if taking anticoagulant medicine.

Vitamin K is necessary for blood clotting and healing. Take as directed on label.

Natural Remedies

Alfalfa supplies beneficial minerals and vitamin K, which is needed for healing. Take in tablet form and follow directions on label.

Arnica and calendula both help to speed the healing of bruises and act as anti-inflammatories, although arnica is the more popular alternative. The chemicals in the herbs will increase circulation, washing away blood and damaged skin cells that collect under the surface of the skin. Massage a dab of arnica or calendula cream or ointment onto the bruised area three times daily. Do not use arnica on open wounds or broken skin; it interferes with healing.

Onions. It seems that the same chemicals that cause your eyes to water can be absorbed through the skin. A slice of yellow onion placed on a fresh bruise for 15 minutes can help stimulate the lymphatic flow, flushing away excess blood. Apply immediately after the bump or impact to increase the efficacy of this treatment.

Bromelain, an enzyme that has anti-inflammatory properties will help reduce swelling and the redness of a fresh bruise. Sit, relax and have a tall, cool glass of pineapple juice.

Comfrey is an age-old remedy for a variety of skin ailments. It contains allantoin, which encourages skin repair. It is useful for treating bruises and sprains. Apply ice to the bruise, brew some comfrey tea and soak sterile gauze in it. After icing for about 20 minutes, apply you comfrey compress.

Crush and chop a handful of chilled parsley sprigs and apply them straight to the bruise. Parsley goes straight to work taking the color out of the bruise, often within 24 hours.

The herbs dandelion and yellow dock are good sources of iron. Other beneficial herbs include aloe vera gel, burdock root, ginkgo biloba, horsetail, peppermint essential oil, rose hips, shepherd's purse and stinging nettle.

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May 2012

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