Crohn’s disease is an inflammation of parts of the digestive tract; a person may have problems from the mouth to the anus. It affects the large intestine most frequently and those who have Crohn’s are between the ages of 15 and 40. Crohn’s affects more women (ages 15 to 50 years old) than men. Crohn’s involves lymphatic congestion of the colon area and the colon becomes fibrous and unyielding over time, when severe it can create pockets that perforate the colon, and carry toxic materials into the abdominal cavity (leaky gut).
Symptoms of Crohn’s include abdominal pain, appetite loss, gas, bloating, non-bloody diarrhea, open anal sores or other anal problems. A recto scope inspection shows a granulated look in the small intestine. There can also be weight loss from loss of appetite. The symptoms of Crohn’s disease come and go and may persist for years without serious symptoms. There may also be associated canker sores in the mouth. In medical diagnosis there are pits and ulceration of the small and large intestine.
The first cause of Crohn’s is most likely from a diet devoid of fiber (lacking fresh fruits and vegetables) which also tends to be rich in saturated fats. Increase dietary fiber and eat a more natural diet, devoid of processed foods. Tobacco, alcohol, coffee, soda pop and fast foods should be avoided at all costs. When these factors improve, you can have significant progress. The second cause of Crohn’s may be stress to which certain people are more susceptible. Combine these two (poor diet and stress) and there may be a bigger problem. These two causes of Crohn’s are possibilities, yet none are proven, however. Using herbs, cell salts and homeopathic remedies along with diet change can be very effective; for best results use all three of these in combination.
Medical treatments target symptoms of Crohn’s with steroids, antibiotics or other band-aid medications which come with side effects and long-term dependency; they may also cut out sections of the colon. The problem is that the symptoms continue to progress without dietary and stress changes.
The natural perspective usually deals with putting out fires from the severe symptoms while helping correct the underlying problems such as improving digestion, reducing stress, etc. One of the biggest challenges is to slowly wean off prescription medication with your doctor while implementing natural therapies. A hurdle to better healthy is getting off acid reducing drugs. NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) pain relievers also tear up the intestinal tract. This will likely take several months.
Let pain be your guide. Don’t let periods of remission lull you back to your vices.
As a nutritional supplement, use anti-oxidant Grape seed extract to build connective tissue integrity.
Herbs for Crohn’s
Herbs are plants valued for their specific strengthening/ tonifying properties.
Chamomile is mildly bitter and stimulates digestion, calms the nerves; soothes gas and bloating; anti-spasmodic.
Cat’s claw has anti-inflammatory properties, gastrointestinal healer as well as for leaky gut syndrome, tissue regenerative.
Cramp bark is antispasmodic, feeds the nerves; helps with bowel tone.
Lobelia works as an expectorant to remove mucus; good to relax nervous tension.
Marshmallow coats and soothes the mucus membranes; good for inflammation of the gastro-intestinal tract and urinary tract as well as skin ulcers and wounds.
Melissa (Lemon balm) has been used as a nerve tonic and anti-spasmodic; relieves gas and bloating that can put pressure on the heart. Externally it is used to relieve cold sores.
Plantain is healing to the mucosal lining of the gut, and leaky gut syndrome.
Slippery elm is a mucus membrane soother and protective. It is also anti-inflammatory and tissue healing.
Wild Yam root helps the function of the liver which increases bile production (natural bowel lubricant and detoxifier); relieves gas, bowel irritation, intestinal colic, and diverticulitis.
Yellow Dock root is very mildly laxative for the large intestines. It stimulates the liver to produce more bile to soothe and lubricate the intestines, and slightly stimulates peristalsis of the colon; source of iron.
Cell Salts to Help with Crohn’s
To make a cell salt solution, put up to 10 tablets of each cell salt in a 16- to 24-ounce bottle; fill with water and swirl to dissolve tablets. Sip throughout the day.
#4 Ferr phos 6X – for inflammation
#10 Nat phos 6X – digestive balance, correct pH
#12 Silicea 6X – infections, pus, and connective tissue integrity
Crohn’s Homeopathic Remedies
Homeopathic remedies are non-toxic natural medicines safe for everyone including infants and pregnant or nursing women. You may use 6X, 30X, 6C or 30C potencies.
Aloe – pains before and with stool; abdomen feels bloated, heavy and hot; there is rumbling, gurgling, and feels hurried to have a bowel movement; worse left side, along colon; worse after eating; pain from navel to rectum.
Arsenicum album – one of the top remedies for Crohn’s especially for those with chronic diarrhea, burning pains that are worse with heat; perfectionism with restlessness or chronic fatigue.
Carcinosinum – perfectionism; gas; burning pains like fire in the ascending colon; better from pressure and doubling over.
Chamomilla – digestive problems worse from anger; colic, gas, distention; diarrhea looks like green chopped spinach.
Cinchona – oversensitive mind; keeps them awake at night; severe gas and bloating; severe diarrhea that leaves them weak and tired; worse from fish, tea, sour wine, new beer, impure water, fruit, milk; belching of bitter fluid.
Colocynthis – lower abdominal pain and bloating that causes one to double over; burning anal region; painful swollen hemorrhoids; violent cutting or tearing pains; worse from anger.
Mercurius corrosive – restlessness at night; irritable during the day; digestive problems May to November; stomach cramps; stools hot, bloody, slimy and offensive; can have bleeding in rectum.
Nitricum acidum – Crohn’s with a feeling of splinters in the anus; caused from anti-biotic therapy; slimy and offensive diarrhea; negative attitude; symptoms worse from salt.
Phosphorus – burning rectum and severe diarrhea; sensitive people afraid of the dark; nose bleeds or other bleeding; exhausting diarrhea; weakness after stool; craving for icy cold drinks; worse from too much salt; cant tolerate warm food or drinks; craves sweets; smelly stools and gas.
Plumbum met – neurological problems with muscles paralyzed or atrophied; person may feel depressed or has lots of fears; hard lumpy black stools with urging and spasm of anus; gas and belching.
Sepia – feeling mentally and physically worn out; sensation of ball in anus or prolapse; heat and burning in anus; faint, sinking sensation in stomach; hormonal problems; low sex drive.
Silicea – shy timid pale person; feels cold; painful fistulas in rectum with pus; cold and constipated or chronic diarrhea from milk.
Veratrum album – feels an impending doom or sullen indifference, or religious obsession or ideas; large stools with straining and cold sweat on the forehead; nausea or vomiting worse from drinking or slightest motion; feels cold.
Source: Dave’s Healing Notes
