Homeopathic Remedies for IBD, Inflammatory Bowel Disease

A frequent urge to pass stool in the form of diarrhoea,  often accompanied by blood and mucus, and cramping abdominal pain are signs of a digestive disorder. So, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is the chronic inflammation of the digestive tract that includes two conditions.

The first is Ulcerative Colitis which is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease of the colon and rectum, characterized by chronic inflammation of mucosal lining. The symptoms are:

1. Bloody diarrhoea

2. Mucus in stool

3. Abdominal pain and cramps

4. Urgent need to pass stool.

5.Weakness and weight loss

The second is Crohn’s Disease which is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease which may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. However, it mostly affects the small intestine characterized by patchy and fully thick inflammation. The symptoms of Crohn’s Disease are:

1. Abdominal cramps and pain

2. Chronic diarrhoea

3. Sour mouth

4. Fatigue, weakness

5. Pain in the joints and weight loss

6. Loss of appetite

Why homeopathy in IBD?

Homoeopathic medicines are beneficial in providing symptomatic relief in IBD. Besides working on the symptoms, they also address the root cause of the disease. They help reduce the frequency and intensity of symptoms, control flare-ups, manage stress and improve the quality of life.

Homoeopathy is a natural system of treatment

Prepared from natural substances, homoeopathic medicines have no known side effects when used appropriately. They do not cause dependency. However, these remedies should always be taken under the guidance of a qualified homoeopathic physician.

Top Homeopathic Remedies for IBD — Ulcerative Colitis

Best Homeopathic medicines for Ulcerative Colitis are Mercurius Corrosivus, Colchicum Autumnale, Arsenic Album, Phosphorus and Nux vomica.

1. Mercurius Corrosivus — For Mucus And Blood In Stool In Ulcerative Colitis

Mercurius Corrosivus is the best natural medicine to treat patients suffering from Ulcerative Colitis. It works best in patients when blood and shreds of mucus membranes are passed along with the stool. The patient feels a constant urge to pass stool but only scanty, hot stool of offensive odour is passed. Due to unsatisfactory stool, the urge reappears. Cutting pains in the rectum may be felt while passing stool.

When to use Mercurius Corrosivus?

It is recommended when blood and shred of mucus membrane pass along with stool.

How to use Mercurius Corrosivus

It can be started with 30C, once in a day.

2. Colchicum Autumnale — For Ulcerative Colitis with Jelly-like Mucus in Stool

Colchicum Autumnale is a natural remedy for treating patients who complain of excessive jelly-like mucus in stool. One feels extreme nausea and may even faint due to the odour of food being cooked, especially non vegetarian food.

When to use Colchicum Autumnale?

It works wonders when excessive jelly-like mucus comes in the stool.

How to use Colchicum Autumnale?

Start with 30C once or twice a day. Higher potencies such as 200C, 1 M must be used only under a homoeopathic physician’s supervision.

3. Arsenicum Album — For Ulcerative Colitis With Offensive Odour, Blood In Stool

Arsenicum Album is a natural medicine which is of immense help in treating Ulcerative Colitis. The main symptom guiding its use is dark-coloured blood in stool with an offensive odour.  The complaint becomes severe at night and the patient feels very weak. This medicine can be especially helpful for those when cold drinks, watery fruit or alcohol worsen the person’s condition. There is constant burning pain in the abdomen and rectum. Drinking anything warm generally bring relief.

When to use Arsenicum Album?

It is well indicated when stool is foul and there is burning sensation in abdomen.

How to use Arsenicum Album?

It can be used in 30C potency, twice or thrice a week.

4. Phosphorus – For Ulcerative Colitis With Stool Containing Greenish Mucus, Blood

Phosphorus is a very beneficial remedy for Ulcerative Colitis patients where stool contains greenish mucus and blood and is extremely offensive-smelling. The condition aggravates in the morning. The patients craves for juicy cold drinks, ice cream and anything cold.

When to use Phosphorus?

It works wonderfully when one complains of excessive blood in stool.

How to use Phosphorus?

It can be use in 30C, 200C and 1M.

5. Nux Vomica – For Ulcerative Colitis With Rectal Bleeding And Constipation

It is recommended with severe constipation and rectal bleeding in Ulcerative Colitis. The stomach is extremely sensitive to pressure. The stool is scanty, often mixed with blood and mucus. One feels peculiarly unsatisfied with passage of stool. Other accompanying symptoms include vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and retching.

When to use Nux Vomica?

It works well when one complains of constipation, along with rectal bleeding

How to use Nux Vomica?

Start with in 30C potency, once or twice a day.

Top Homeopathic Remedies for IBD – Crohn’s Disease

Top homeopathic medicines for Crohn’s Disease are Aloe Socotrina, Podophyllum Peltatum, Cinchona Officinalis, Argentum Nitricum and Nitricum Acidum.

1. Aloe Socotrina – For Crohn’s Disease with Loose Stool

Aloe Socotrina is among the top natural medicines for Crohn’s Disease. Those who have to be administered this medicine complain of loose stool that at once gets worse after a meal or after drinking anything. The patient feels a sudden urge to pass the stool. Aloe Socotrina also brings relief from the cutting pains in lower abdomen that gets worse before one passes stool and throughout the time of such activity and gets better soon after. Faintness usually follows stool. This medicine also helps control diarrhea that gets worse due to the intake of beer.

When to use Aloe Socotrina?

It is administered for Crohn’s disease accompanied by loose stool that gets worse after a meal or drinking.

How to use Aloe Socotrina?

It works well when ingested in lower power such as 30C, two to three times daily depending upon on the symptoms.

2. Podophyllum Peltatum – For Crohn’s Disease with Diarrhea

Podophyllum Peltatum is an extremely beneficial medicine for Crohn’s Disease with diarrhea, especially, when the stool is greenish, watery and very offensive. The diarrhea aggravates in the morning, however, in the evening, the stool is normal. The patient may also complain of prolapse of rectum before or during the passing of the stool. The patient feels thirsty and wants to gulp large amount of cold water.

When to use Podophyllum?

It is best administered for Crohn’s Disease with copious, greenish and watery stool.

How to use Podophyllum?

It can be initiated with lower potency—30C one or two times a day.

3. Cinchona Officinalis – For Crohn’s Disease with Diarrhea That Aggravates at Night

Cinchona Officinalis is a natural remedy that treats Crohn’s Disease especially when the diarrhea gets worse at night. The patient complains of excessive flatulence in the abdomen along with diarrhea. This remedy also works best for the patients who complain of worsening diarrhea if they drink milk or eat fruits.

When to use Cinchona Officinalis?

It is administered if diarrhoea is painless and aggravates at night.

How to use Cinchona Officinalis?

It can be initiated with lower potency—30C, one to two times daily.

4. Argentum Nitricum – For Crohn’s Disease with Greenish Watery Stool and Flatulence

Argentum Nitricum is the best natural medicine for Crohn’s Disease with greenish and watery stool accompanied by discharge of loud and noisy flatus. The diarrhoea mostly aggravates due to over-eating sweets or owing to sudden excitement or intense emotions. An unusual craving for sweets may be observed among those who needs to be administered this medicine.

When to use Argentum Nitricum?

It works best for Crohn’s Disease with greenish-chopped spinach like stool with noisy flatulence.

How to use Argentum Nitricum

It can be initiated with 30C potency, one to two times a day.

5. Nitricum Acidum – For Crohn’s disease With Vomiting and Nausea

It is administered for symptoms of Crohn’s Disease with nausea and indigestion. Sour and bitter vomit is noticed, along with eructations. There is tearing, sharp, cutting pain in the abdomen. The pain is very sharp after one passes stool and may last for hours. Stool is very offensive and slimy. Other indicators are colicky pain relieved by tight clothing, and profuse and bright bleeding from the bowel.

When to use Nitricum Acidum?

It works best for Crohn’s disease when there is noticeable tenesmus in the abdomen along with vomiting.

How to use Nitricum Acidum?

It can be used in lower potency (30C) one or two times a day. Higher potencies such as 200C or 1M may also be administered but only under the guidance of a practicing homoeopath.

Other Homeopathic Medicines for associated symptoms of IBD

1. If there is bleeding from the rectum

To control bleeding from the rectum in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, natural medicines such as Nitricum Acidum, Mercurius Solubilis, Nux Vomica and Hamamelis Virginica are the best medicines. Mercurius Solubilis is prescribed for patients who bleed from the rectum and there is loose stool and feeling of extreme chill. Also, one feels unusually thirsty. Nitricum Acidum is the medicine which is really helpful for patients complaining of bleeding of excessive bright red blood from the rectum with severe cutting or tearing pain in rectum. Hamamelis Virginica is the ideal medicine when the blood from rectum is dark in colour and the patient experiences to much weakness. Nux Vomica is a medicine that is very beneficial when the bleeding from the rectum is activated by the intake of spicy food, coffee or alcohol.

2. For IBD with Diarrhea

Gambogia is a good remedial measure that benefits when there is diarrhea due to IBD. The stool is profuse, watery and is ejected with suddenness and force. Diarrhea mainly aggravates in hot weather among the patients who need this medicine. Sulphur, on the other hand, is the best remedy when the diarrhea gets worse in the morning. Such patients have to rush out of bed early and relieve at once. Patients usually feel hot in the soles of their feet, as also on the palms and head. Podophyllum Peltatum is another great remedy that treats diarrhea if one has Inflammatory Bowel Disease. If the symptoms are the following: Greenish, profuse and watery stool, and jelly-like mucus is an accompanying factor then one should use this medicine.

3. For IBD for Controlling Mucus

Aloe Socotrina and Colchicum Autumnale are the top medicines for the presence of excessive jelly-like mucus in the stool with pain in the rectum of those suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients.

Pulsatilla Pratensis is also of great help if the mucus in stool is greenish for patients with IBD. The patients who need this medicine are never thirsty and fatty food always aggravates the condition.

4. For Managing Cramps

Colocynthis works well for those who have cramping pain in the abdomen. The pain is relieved by applying pressure or bending double.

Dioscorea Villosa is the best possible remedy for patients in whom the abdominal cramps aggravate from bending double and gets better by bending backwards or by walking. Magnesium Phoshphoricum gives excellent results if the cramps in abdomen get better by applying pressure or warm applications.

5. For Treating Tenesmus

Nux Vomica is the best possible remedy for treating tenesmus in IBD. The main indicator for the use of this medicine is a constant urge to pass stool. The stool is very scanty and the patient is not satisfied and tries to pass stool at shorter intervals. There is pain in the abdomen relieved for a little while after passing of the stool. But soon after it resurfaces. Mercurius Solubilis is another remedy beneficial for tenesmus in IBD where the stool is slimy, bloody and is accompanied by excessive chilliness.

Capsicum Annum, meanwhile, is a natural medicine that brings wonderful results while dealing with the tenesmus of Inflammatory Bowel Disease if stinging and burning pain is felt in the rectum. Also, one is not able to satisfactorily excrete. After passing the stool, thirst for water is ever present.

6. For IBD with Weight Loss

Ferrum Phosphoricum, Natrum Muriaticum, Cinchona Officinalis and Lycopodium Clavatum are very suitable remedies treating weakness or anaemia in patients suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Ferrum Phosphoricum helps raise haemoglobin levels of the patients who has become anaemic due to excessive blood loss with stool. The patient looks pale and weak.

Natrum Muriaticum is another medicine to relieve one off the weakness in a patient of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. The patient who needs this medicine shows an unusual craving for salty food and cannot bear excessive sunlight. Cinchona Officinalis, on the other hand, is the natural medicine for treating the weakness in Inflammatory Bowel Disease due to excessive loss of fluid as a result of diarrhea.  Excessive  flatulence is observed among patients who have to be administered Cinchona Officinalis.

Lycopodium Clavatum helps reduce weakness that accompanies Inflammatory Bowel Disease and the symptoms guiding its use are a desire for warm drinks and sweets. The patient looks pale and emaciated with a yellowish face and bluish circles around the eyes.

7. For IBD with Joint Pains

The joint pains among patients who suffer from Inflammatory Bowel Disease can be treated with natural medicines like Bryonia Alba, Rhus Toxicodendron and Kali Bichromicum. If joints are excessively inflamed and the pain aggravates after any movement, Bryonia Alba provides a lot of relief. Such joint pains get better when one gets rest.

Rhus Toxicodendron provides a lot of relief to IBD patients suffering from joint pains, especially, if they experience excessive pain and stiffness in joints that get worse on resting and better by moving.

Kali Bichromicum is a wonderful remedy if the joint pains are of a wandering nature that move from one joint to another at every short interval.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between IBS and IBD?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterised by abdominal pain with change in bowel movement. However, there is no inflammatory changes in the intestine.

While Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a group of chronic inflammatory condition of gastrointestinal tract, characterised by persistent swelling that can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, weight loss and fatigue.

2. How is IBD diagnosed?

IBD can be diagnosed by proper physical examination and investigations. Investigation like USG (Ultrasonography whole abdomen), Endoscopy, CT scan, Colonoscopy with biopsy, Stool examination and CBC are required to examine the extent of the disease.

3. Does IBD increase any risk of cancer?

Yes, chronic IBD can increase the risk of cancer, especially, colorectal cancer. Regular screening is a must for detection.

4. What are the long term complications of IBD?

Long term complications of IBD are—Anaemia, malnutrition, vitamin deficiency, perforation on intestinal layer and increase the risk of colorectal cancer.

5. Does stress cause IBD?

No, stress does not cause IBD. However, it may be one of the activating factors that can flare up its symptoms.

6. Is IBD is hereditary?

Yes, it can be hereditary, but not always. People with a family history of IBD have a greater risk of developing the symptoms.

7. Does homoeopathy work in cases of IBD?

Yes, Homoeopathic remedies not only work wonderfully on the symptoms of IBD, ut also brings about permanent cure (it removes the root cause).

8. Is it safe to use homoeopathic medicines for long term?

Yes, if administered by a qualified homeopath it has no side-effects.

9. Can homoeopathy be administered with conventional medicines in IBD?

Yes, homoeopathic medicines can be administered with conventional medicines. A minimum gap of 10-15 minutes should be maintained if one intends to take both the medicines.

10. Can lifestyle changes reduces the symptoms of IBD?

Yes, lifestyle changes reduce the symptom of IBD. Good habits such as eating a balanced diet, de-stressing oneself, drinking enough water and daily light exercises helps reduce any flare ups. Avoiding alcohol and smoking and any other trigger that may set off the symptoms of IBD are a must.