Ulcerative Colitis: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation and ulcers in the inner lining of the colon and rectum, leading to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bleeding.

The exact causes of ulcerative colitis are unknown, but it's believed to result from a combination of genetic, environmental, and immune system factors. If left untreated, ulcerative colitis can lead to serious health complications, such as bowel obstruction, colon cancer, and malnutrition. To alleviate symptoms, herbal remedies like aloe vera, slippery elm, and turmeric can be used in the form of teas, tinctures, or capsules.

However, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, as they may interact with medications or exacerbate underlying conditions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of ulcerative colitis, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of ulcerative colitis?

The main causes of ulcerative colitis are multifactorial, involving a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and immune system factors.

Research suggests that genetic predisposition is a significant risk factor, with certain genetic variants, such as NOD2/CARD15, increasing susceptibility to the disease. Environmental factors, including smoking, stress, and an imbalance of gut bacteria, can also trigger or exacerbate ulcerative colitis. Dysregulation of the immune system, particularly an imbalance in the Th1/Th2 response, allows for an abnormal inflammatory response to the gut microbiome, leading to tissue damage and symptoms.

Additionally, certain infections, such as those caused by Giardia lamblia, may also contribute to the development of ulcerative colitis in susceptible individuals.

• Genetics: Genetics play a role in the development of ulcerative colitis, as individuals with a family history of the condition are more likely to develop it due to inherited predisposition of the immune system to react to the gut microbiome.
• Environmental Factors: Environmental factors such as smoking, stress, and exposure to certain bacteria or viruses contribute to the development of ulcerative colitis by triggering an abnormal immune response in genetically predisposed individuals.
• Imbalanced Gut Microbiome: An imbalance in the gut microbiome, also known as dysbiosis, is thought to contribute to the development of ulcerative colitis by allowing harmful bacteria to overgrow and trigger an abnormal immune response.
• Infections: Certain infections, such as those caused by Escherichia coli, Shigella, and Salmonella, may trigger the development of ulcerative colitis in genetically predisposed individuals by activating the immune system and causing inflammation in the gut.
• Autoimmune Response: An autoimmune response, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the healthy cells and tissues in the gut, is thought to contribute to the development of ulcerative colitis by causing chronic inflammation and tissue damage in the colon.
• Hormonal Imbalance: Hormonal imbalances, such as those caused by thyroid disease or pregnancy, may contribute to the development of ulcerative colitis by altering the normal functioning of the immune system and causing inflammation in the gut.
• Nutritional Factors: Nutritional factors, such as a diet high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats, may contribute to the development of ulcerative colitis by disrupting the balance of the gut microbiome and triggering an abnormal immune response.
• Stress: Chronic stress may contribute to the development of ulcerative colitis by altering the normal functioning of the immune system and causing inflammation in the gut.
• Medications: Certain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and certain antibiotics, may contribute to the development of ulcerative colitis by altering the balance of the gut microbiome and triggering an abnormal immune response.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for ulcerative colitis?

The main medicinal herbs used for ulcerative colitis are Curcuma longa, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Zingiber officinale, Aloe barbadensis, Ulmus rubra, Taraxacum officinale, Althaea officinalis, Terminalia chebula, Aloe vera, Boswellia serrata.

Curcuma longa's curcumin has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, inhibiting NF-κB activation and reducing inflammation in the gut. Glycyrrhiza glabra's licorice root has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, inhibiting NF-κB and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines. Zingiber officinale's ginger and Aloe barbadensis's aloe vera have anti-inflammatory properties, reducing pain and inflammation, while Ulmus rubra's slippery elm and Althaea officinalis's marshmallow root have soothing and protective effects on the gut mucosa.

Terminalia chebula's haritaki and Boswellia serrata's frankincense have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, reducing inflammation and promoting healing in the gut.

• Curcuma longa: Curcuma longa, or turmeric, helps with ulcerative colitis due to its anti-inflammatory properties, particularly curcumin, which inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory enzymes and cytokines, thereby reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the colon.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra, or licorice root, helps with ulcerative colitis by modulating the immune system and reducing inflammation through its anti-inflammatory compounds, such as glycyrrhizin and flavonoids, which inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes.
• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale, or ginger, helps with ulcerative colitis due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the colon, while also modulating the immune system and improving gut motility.
• Aloe barbadensis: Aloe barbadensis, or aloe vera, helps with ulcerative colitis by reducing inflammation and promoting healing through its anti-inflammatory compounds, such as aloin and aloe-emodin, which inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes, while also improving gut barrier function.
• Ulmus rubra: Ulmus rubra, or slippery elm, helps with ulcerative colitis by protecting and soothing the mucous membranes of the colon through its demulcent and anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce inflammation and promote healing.
• Taraxacum officinale: Taraxacum officinale, or dandelion, helps with ulcerative colitis by reducing inflammation and promoting the elimination of toxins through its anti-inflammatory compounds, such as taraxasterol and taraxol, which inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes.
• Althaea officinalis: Althaea officinalis, or marshmallow root, helps with ulcerative colitis by protecting and soothing the mucous membranes of the colon through its demulcent and anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce inflammation and promote healing.
• Terminalia chebula: Terminalia chebula, or haritaki, helps with ulcerative colitis by reducing inflammation and promoting the elimination of toxins through its anti-inflammatory compounds, such as chebulic acid and chebulinic acid, which inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes.
• Aloe vera: Aloe vera helps with ulcerative colitis by reducing inflammation and promoting healing through its anti-inflammatory compounds, such as aloin and aloe-emodin, which inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes, while also improving gut barrier function.
• Boswellia serrata: Boswellia serrata, or frankincense, helps with ulcerative colitis due to its anti-inflammatory properties, particularly boswellic acids, which inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory enzymes and cytokines, thereby reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the colon.

What are the main herbal preparations used for ulcerative colitis?

The main herbal preparations used for ulcerative colitis are Tincture, Decoction, Capsule, Suppository, Salve, Cream, Gel, Poultice, Ointment, Extract.

Tincture of aloe vera, chamomile, and licorice root is used to reduce inflammation and soothe the colon. Decoctions of slippery elm and marshmallow root are used to protect the mucous membranes and promote healing. Capsules of turmeric, ginger, and boswellia are used to reduce inflammation and pain, while suppositories of aloe vera and chamomile are used to directly soothe the rectal area.

Salves, creams, gels, poultices, and ointments of aloe vera, chamomile, and calendula are used topically to reduce inflammation and promote wound healing, and herbal extracts such as curcumin and boswellic acids are used to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.

• Tincture: A tincture of Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) helps with ulcerative colitis by providing a protective barrier to the intestinal lining, reducing inflammation and irritation.
• Decoction: A decoction of Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) helps with ulcerative colitis by reducing inflammation and promoting the healing of the intestinal lining, while also providing anti-oxidant properties.
• Capsule: A capsule containing Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis) helps with ulcerative colitis by reducing inflammation and promoting the healing of the intestinal lining, providing a soothing effect on the gut.
• Suppository: A suppository of Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) helps with ulcerative colitis by reducing inflammation and promoting the healing of the intestinal lining, providing anti-oxidant and soothing properties.
• Salve: A salve of Calendula (Calendula officinalis) helps with ulcerative colitis by reducing inflammation and promoting the healing of the intestinal lining, providing anti-oxidant and soothing properties.
• Cream: A cream of Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis) helps with ulcerative colitis by reducing inflammation and promoting the healing of the intestinal lining, providing a soothing effect on the gut.
• Gel: A gel of Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) helps with ulcerative colitis by reducing inflammation and promoting the healing of the intestinal lining, providing anti-oxidant and soothing properties.
• Poultice: A poultice of Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) helps with ulcerative colitis by providing a protective barrier to the intestinal lining, reducing inflammation and irritation.
• Ointment: An ointment of Calendula (Calendula officinalis) helps with ulcerative colitis by reducing inflammation and promoting the healing of the intestinal lining, providing anti-oxidant and soothing properties.
• Extract: An extract of Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) helps with ulcerative colitis by reducing inflammation and promoting the healing of the intestinal lining, while also providing anti-oxidant properties.