What are the best natural remedies for ulcerative colitis

Condition analysis:
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes long-lasting inflammation and ulcer symptoms, or sores in the digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis affects the innermost lining of the large intestine and rectum.

This inflammatory disease can be debilitating, and sometimes it can even lead to life-threatening complications. Ulcerative colitis may lead to a narrowed area of the intestines, making it harder to pass stool. It may also lead to swelling in the colon, intense diarrhea, joint pain, and scarring of the bile ducts and pancreas.

Ulcerative colitis most often begins gradually and can become worse over time. The symptoms of this inflammatory disease can be mild to severe, and most people have periods of remission, times when the symptoms disappear, which can last for weeks or years. While there is no known cure for ulcerative colitis, there are natural treatments that can greatly reduce signs and symptoms of the disease and result in long-term remission.

Instructions:
Best Natural Remedies for Colitis
1. Aloe Vera
The aloe plant helps clean mucus from colon walls and acts as a laxative to help improve bowel function and quell the diarrhea symptoms in colitis. This was proven in a study of 35 men and women randomized to a treatment that combined aloe vera with psyllium - otherwise known as fiber, the well-known laxative. Those on the aloe vera combination had more frequent bowel movements with softer stool. It showed that aloe vera was an effective laxative. One study found that aloe gel taken for four weeks was more effective than placebo in reducing symptoms and slowed the disease.

2. Probiotics
Though technically not a herb, it belongs in this list. Studies have found a mix of probiotics to help clear symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases such as colitis. Its close sibling, prebiotics, holds the promise of being safe, inexpensive, and easy to take. Using intestinal bacteria to fight colitis is an emerging and interesting field.

3. Fish Oil
Also not necessarily a herb, it’s been studied as a natural treatment for ulcerative colitis. In one notable study, patients experienced a decrease in inflammation and became less dependent on drugs. Researchers concluded that fish oil was an effective colitis therapy. Several small trials, although not all, have found that fish oil may be helpful in reducing symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Larger studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.