Digestive Wellness: Strengthen the Immune System and Prevent Disease Through Healthy Digestion, Fourth Edition (122 page)

Consider TSO whipworm therapy.
Use of benign whipworm eggs can modulate your immune system to calm down and prevent flare-ups. There is a growing body of research on this in IBD. (See
Chapter 6
for more information.)

Take gamma oryzanol.
Gamma oryzanol, a compound found in rice bran oil, is a useful therapeutic tool for gastritis, ulcers, and irritable bowel syndrome. Try taking 100 mg three times daily for a period of three to six weeks. (See
Chapter 20
for more on gamma oryzanol.)

Take boswellia.
Boswellia has been used in Ayurvedic medicine as an anti-inflammatory for ulcerative colitis. Only one study has been done so far, but in comparison with sulfasalazine it was equivalent. Take 350 mg three times daily.

Try butyrate enemas.
Butyrate is the preferred fuel of the colonic cells. It is produced when fiber in the colon is fermented by intestinal flora, predominantly bifidobacteria. A few studies have shown that butyrate enemas, taken twice daily, helped heal active distal ulcerative colitis.

Explore herbal remedies.
Demulcent herbs—marshmallow, slippery elm, acacia, chickweed, comfrey, mullein, and plantain—are beneficial and soothing to the intestinal membranes and help stimulate mucus production. All are gentle enough to be used at will; try them in capsule or tea form. Other herbs used by people with bowel disease include wild indigo, purple cornflower, echinacea, American cranesbill, goldenseal, cabbage powder, wild yam, bayberry, agrimony, neem, aloe vera, chamomile, feverfew, ginger, ginkgo biloba, Saint-John’s-wort, milk thistle, valerian, peppermint, hawthorn, and Lapacho.

Drink aloe vera juice.
Aloe vera juice has been used as a traditional remedy for digestive disorders of all types. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was done using oral aloe vera gel in people with active colitis. Forty-four people were given 3 ounces daily of either aloe vera gel or a placebo for four weeks. People who received the aloe vera had a significant reduction of all disease symptoms in comparison with people who received the placebo.

Try bovine cartilage
. Bovine cartilage is shown to have anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. Its benefit has been documented in many illnesses, including ulcerative colitis, hemorrhoids and fissures, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis.

About half of Americans over the age of 50 have hemorrhoids. They are not life-threatening or dangerous, but they can be painful and might bleed. They occur when blood vessels in and around the anus get swollen and stretch under pressure, similar to varicose veins in the legs. They are found either inside the anus (internal hemorrhoids) or under the skin around the anus (external hemorrhoids). Internal hemorrhoids may become so swollen that they push through the anus. When they become irritated, inflamed, and painful, they are called protruding hemorrhoids.

Straining during bowel movements is a common cause of hemorrhoids. The most common symptom is bright red blood with a bowel movement. Hemorrhoids are also common but temporary during pregnancy. Hormonal changes cause the blood vessels to expand. During childbirth, extreme pressure is put on the anus.
Hemorrhoids also occur in people with chronic constipation or diarrhea. Sitting for long periods, heavy lifting, and genetics are other influential factors. In most cases, hemorrhoids go away in a few days. If you have bleeding that lasts longer, have your doctor examine you to rule out a more serious problem.

A high-fiber diet with plenty of fluids—water, fruit juices, and herbal teas—helps prevent hemorrhoids because fiber and fluids soften stool so they pass through easily. No straining with bowel movements means less pressure on the blood vessels near your anus. So, increase your intake of fruits, whole grains, legumes, and vegetables, especially those containing the most fiber: asparagus, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, corn, peas, kale, and parsnips. Eating a high-fiber breakfast cereal significantly increases your fiber intake.

Hemorrhoids generally don’t itch. If your anus itches mainly at night, you might have pinworms. The best time to check for them is at night while you itch. Place a piece of tape around your finger, sticky side out. Put the tape on your anus, pull it off, and check for worms, which look like moving white threads. If you are checking one of your children, you can use the tape method or just look. Another cause of rectal itching is called pruritus ani, which can be caused by food sensitivities, contact with irritating substances (laundry detergent or toilet paper), fungi, bacterial infection, parasites, antibiotics, poor hygiene, or tight clothing. If you have hemorrhoids, you might find relief from the following suggestions.

Explore all of the recommendations for constipation (earlier in this chapter).

Change your bathroom habits.
In many countries, people squat to relieve themselves. A squatting position on the toilet takes pressure off the rectum and can help during a flare-up of hemorrhoids. (You may feel a little silly, but who’s watching!) Also, wipe gently with soft toilet paper. It may help to wash your anal area with warm water after each bowel movement, or if you have a bidet, now is the time to use it.

Use salves.
Salves can soothe inflamed tissues. Spread vitamin E oil, comfrey, calendula ointment, or goldenseal salve gently on the anus with your fingers.
Witch hazel is also soothing to hemorrhoidal tissue. Put some on a cotton ball and press gently. Repeat treatments several times daily.