About Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is an umbrella term, used to describe digestive tracts chronic inflammatory disorders. Its types include – Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a disorder of Colon (Large intestine). As the name says, it is an ulcerative condition of the colon with inflammation and wounds resulting in malfunctioning of the colon. A number of symptoms such as increased frequency of stools, blood with stools, abdominal cramps, bloating and pain, weight loss, fatigue, etc. can be seen commonly among patients.
What is Ulcerative Colitis as per Ayurveda?
‘’Shasthipittadhara naam ya kala parikirtita!
Pakwaamashyamadhyastha grahani sa prakirtita!!’’ – SUSHRUTA UTTAR STHAN 40/169
As per Master of Ayurveda – Sushruta, sixth pittadhara kala present between amashya and pakwashya is known as grahani which makes a major part of the digestive system.
Ayurveda has named this disease under Grahani. This is often caused by the build from toxins (ama) as a result of excessive heat/ pitta that increase with the consumption of sour, bitter and spicy food. Alcohol, tobacco and caffeinated beverages are also some of the contributed factors. Extremely negative emotions like anger, hate also stress additionally worsen heat within the body and can lead to sores or ulcers of the colon. Ama (undigested food or a noxious element) is very sticky that deposits itself between the villi within the intestines, forming a smooth coating that impairs the normal functions of the intestines to create malabsorption.
According to most of the Acharyas, Grahani is Agni Adhistaan, Grahani and agni are interrelated, having Adhar- Adheya- Sambandha. Mandagni (low digestive fire) is the main cause for ama utpatti (toxins) that is responsible for all the diseases.
Grahani (IBD) Samanya Lakshan (Common symptoms) – Colon gets vitiated with ama or toxins and presents with symptoms like ama-pakwa mala (undigested food) with gandh (foul smell) and shoola (abdominal pain).
Types of Grahani
- Charak — Vata, Pitta, Kapha, Sannipat, Shokaj and Bhayaj
- Sushruta — Vata, Pitta, Kapha, Sannipat, Shokaj and Amaj
- Vagbhat — Vata, Pitta, Kapha, Sannipat, Shokaj and Bhayaj
- Pitta atisar when gets vitiated again, it leads to Rakta-atisar.
Savrana Aantra Shoth (Entire colon inflammation) is related to Raktaatisaar, which is co-related with ulcerative colitis in Ayurveda.
People with Pitta Atisara have a tendency to develop Rakta-atisara when they do not follow pathya aahar and vihar (advised diet and lifestyle). Again consumption of hot, spicy and fried food along with stress, anxiety etc. leads to rakta-atisaar which is a serious condition and needs serious attention.
Person with rakta-atisaar presents with raktasraava with mala (bloody stools) which may create several other complications.
Causes & Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis
Causes of Ulcerative colitis
Well, the exact cause of ulcerative colitis remains unknown according to modern medicine. There are certain factors that cause ulcerative colitis.
These are:
- Immune system malfunction
- Heredity
- Environmental factors
- Stress and anxiety
Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis
Symptoms of ulcerative colitis may vary from mild to moderate.
- Urgency to defecate
- Sometimes inability to defecate despite urgency
- Watery stools with blood
- Abdominal unusual sounds
- Bloating and gas
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Low-grade fever
- Loss of appetite
- Unpleasant body odor
- Weight loss
- Anemia due to blood loss
- Mouth ulcers
- Mood swings
- In children, it may cause – failure to grow!
Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis
Planet Ayurveda offers wonderful combo packs for ulcerative colitis – Ulcerative colitis care pack and Ulcerative colitis care pack for advanced stages.
Let’s discuss about Ulcerative colitis care pack
It contains 4 amazing products as mentioned
1. Kutajaghan Vati
Kutaj is an amazing herb here that is blessed by nature with so many health benefits and best qualities. This comes in the form of tablets that are made from the best quality kutaj herb (Holarrhena antidysenterica). As it has anti-dysenteric properties, helps in blazing ama or toxins and also discontinues swelling of colon, fermentation and sore formation.
DOSAGE – 2 tablets, thrice daily after meals with plain water
2. Vataskadi Churna
An effective herbal formulation by Planet Ayurveda that is made from pure herbs like Saunf (Foeniculum vulgare), Dhania (Coriandrum sativum), Bael (Aegle marmelos), Choti elaichi (Elletaria cardamomum) etc. This is an excellent formulation for ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and other such related disorders.
DOSAGE – One teaspoonful twice daily, after a meal with plain water
3. Arjuna capsules
Arjuna capsules are formulated from an herb called Terminalia arjuna’s bark which is a huge tree grows in many parts of south Asia. The pure extract is used for better results. Arjuna contains active constituents namely tri-terpine glycosides like arjunetosides 1, 2, 3 and 4. Arjunine and arjunetein. It has alkaloids, which help in healing the wounds. It protects the arterial endothelium and cures the large intestine in a wonderful way. It provides relief from ulcer, diarrhea and bleeding. Also, it reduces inflammation and pain. Arjuna capsules are packed in veggie capsules. Arjuna makes an effective herbal remedy for ulcerative colitis.
DOSE – 2 capsules twice daily after meal with plain water
4. Pitta Balance
Another wonderful combination of natural calcium compounds that imparts a cooling impact on the body and helps in managing the bleeding. It lowers high blood pressure and the level of stress and anxiety. It cures acidity, provides relief from ulcers, improves vision and increases the bone density.
DOSE – 1 capsule twice daily after meal with plain water
Products of Ulcerative colitis for advance stages are
- Vatsakadi Churna- 1 teaspoonful twice
- Pitta Balance – 1 cap twice
- Arjuna Capsules – 1 cap twice
- Motion Stop – 2 tabs twice
- Coolstrin-A – 1 cap twice
- Coolstrin-B Capsules – 1 cap twice
- Vasaka Capsules – 1 cap twice
Like this, there are some other wonderful formulations too which are really effective in treating ulcerative colitis such as
- Diarho plan Syrup
- Cloto plan Syrup
- Prawal panchmarit tablet
- Acidoplan Syrup
Dosage -2, teaspoon to a tablespoonful, twice or thrice can be taken after meals with water.
Diet & lifestyle
- One must opt for alkaline diet and avoid acidic foods.
- Opt for fruits such as – apple, banana, pomegranate juice, pear etc.
- All gourd vegetables are good like bottle gourd, ridge gourd, pumpkin, bitter melon. Potatoes, carrots and turnip can also serve good sources of nutrients. Avoid all citrus fruits.
- Take green grams and orange lentils. Avoid chick peas, kidney beans etc.
- Say No – to all dairy products except fresh homemade curd and cow ghee.
- No packed, junk and fried foods.
- Avoid onion, tomatoes, garlic and ginger.
- • Drink coconut water to combat body heat and heart burn.
Home Remedies for Ulcerative colitis
1-Banana and curd – Mash one banana in a bowl of fresh curd and have every day to reduce the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Banana and curd alone can also be taken. Banana helps in healing. One can have 4-5 bananas daily. Curd should be used fresh only which is not sour.
2-Pomegranate juice – Have minimum 50 to 60 ml juice of pomegranate to deal with ulcerative colitis and combat loss of blood. This also provides strength to the body.
3-Plain/green grass – Consume 50ml juice of plain grass daily. This helps in the healing process, also boosts up Hb level.
4-Marigold flower – The petals of the Marigold flower are crushed and the juice is extracted. This juice can be consumed daily, around 20 – 30 ml.
5-Rose petals – Chew some fresh rose petals to reduce heartburn, acidity, and burning feeling. This helps in the healing process as well. One can have them in either juice form or as an herbal tea.
Note
Though Ulcerative colitis has no cure in modern science it is curable in Ayurveda. One must be regular with herbal remedies, diet, and lifestyle as per doctor’s advice.
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