Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic problem of the colon. Regular inflammation causes damage to the colon. This leads to bleeding, loose or bloody stools, pain, cramps, and weight loss. Problems tend to come and go over time.
There is no cure for UC. Medicines and changes in how you eat can help to control it. The goal is to control flare-ups and increase symptom-free time. Serious problems may need surgery.
Natural Therapies
Natural therapies may help to lessen the effects of UC and improve quality of life. It may also help to keep remission. It works bets when combined with standard care.
Likely Effective
- Andrographis paniculate, an herb from Asia, may help to ease symptoms of UC. A1-A2
Possibly Effective
- Acupuncture and moxibustion (use of heat to stimulate acupuncture points)B1-B3
- Curcumin C1-C2
- Fish Oil—Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids.D1-D3
- Myrrh, chamomile, and coffee charcoal blend E1
- Probiotics—may help reduce symptoms and maintain remissions. The probiotic VSL#3 appears to have the best results.F1-F7
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction—does not appear to UC itself, but may improve quality of life.G1-G2
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Herbs and Supplements to Be Used With Caution
Talk to your doctor about all herbs or supplements you are taking. Some may interact with your treatment plan or health conditions.
References
REFA Andrographis
REFA1 Tang T, Targan SR, Li ZS, Xu C, Byers VS, Sandborn W. Randomised clinical trial: herbal extract HMPL-004 in active ulcerative colitis - a double-blind comparison with sustained release mesalazine. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2011;33(2):194-202.
REFA2 Sandborn WJ, Targan SR, Byers VS, et al. Andrographis paniculata extract (HMPL-004) for active ulcerative colitis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013;108(1):90-98.
REFB Acupuncture and Moxibustion
REFB1 Joos S, Wildau N, Kohnen R, et al. Acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of ulcerative colitis: a randomized controlled study. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2006;41(9):1056-1063.
REFB2 Lee DH, Kim JI, Lee MS, Choi TY, Choi SM, Ernst E. Moxibustion for ulcerative colitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Gastroenterol. 2010;10:36.
REFB3 Ji J, Lu Y, Liu H, et al. Acupuncture and moxibustion for inflammatory bowel diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:158352.
REFC Curcumin
REFC1 Hanai H, Iida T, Takeuchi K, et al. Curcumin maintenance therapy for ulcerative colitis: randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006;4(12):1502-1506.
REFC2 Singla V, Pratap Mouli V, Garg SK, et al. Induction with NCB-02 (curcumin) enema for mild-to-moderate distal ulcerative colitis - a randomized, placebo-controlled, pilot study. J Crohns Colitis. 2014;8(3):208-214.
Fish Oil
REFD1 Stenson WF, Cort D, Rodgers J, et al. Dietary supplementation with fish oil in ulcerative colitis. Ann Intern Med. 1992;116(8):609-614.
REFD2 Hawthorne AB, Daneshmend TK, Hawkey CJ, et al. Treatment of ulcerative colitis with fish oil supplementation: a prospective 12 month randomised controlled trial. Gut. 1992;33(7):922-928.
REFD3 De Ley M, de Vos R, Hommes DW, Stokkers P. Fish oil for induction of remission in ulcerative colitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007;(4):CD005986.
REFE Myrrh, Chamomile, and Coffee Charcoal Blend
REFE1 Langhorst J, Varnhagen I, Schneider SB, et al. Randomised clinical trial: a herbal preparation of myrrh, chamomile and coffee charcoal compared with mesalazine in maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis--a double-blind, double-dummy study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2013;38(5):490-500.
REFF Probiotics
REFF1 Mallon P, McKay D, Kirk S, Gardiner K. Probiotics for induction of remission in ulcerative colitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007;(4):CD005573.
REFF2 Mallon P, McKay D, Kirk S, Gardiner K. Probiotics for induction of remission in ulcerative colitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007;(4):CD005573.
REFF3 Naidoo K, Gordon M, Fagbemi AO, Thomas AG, Akobeng AK. Probiotics for maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;(12):CD007443.
REFF4 Sang LX, Chang B, Zhang WL, Wu XM, Li XH, Jiang M. Remission induction and maintenance effect of probiotics on ulcerative colitis: a meta-analysis. World J Gastroenterol. 2010;16(15):1908-1915.
REFF5 Naidoo K, Gordon M, Fagbemi AO, Thomas AG, Akobeng AK. Probiotics for maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;(12):CD007443.
REFF6 Shen J, Zuo ZX, Mao AP. Effect of probiotics on inducing remission and maintaining therapy in ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and pouchitis: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2014;20(1):21-35.
REFF7 Derwa Y, Gracie DJ, Hamlin PJ, Ford AC. Systematic review with meta-analysis: the efficacy of probiotics in inflammatory bowel disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2017;46(4):389-400.
REFG Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction
REFG1 Elsenbruch S, Langhorst J, Popkirowa K, et al. Effects of mind-body therapy on quality of life and neuroendocrine and cellular immune functions in patients with ulcerative colitis. Psychother Psychosom. 2005;74(5):277-287.
REFG2 Jedel S1, Hoffman A, Merriman P, et al. A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction to prevent flare-up in patients with inactive ulcerative colitis. Digestion. 2014;89(2):142-155.