Bowel Diseases

Regardless of the causes, it is certain that diet plays a role in bowel disorders. Surveys show that Crohn's disease is almost nonexistent in cultures where the basic diet includes natural, unrefined grains and plenty of vegetables and fruits. Surveys also show that the cases of the disease are rapidly increasing in technologically advanced countries, where people tend to eat more refined sugar, fewer vegetables and less fiber.

Crohn's disease alters your natural intestinal flora, making it difficult for you to assimilate important nutrients, particularly protein. The results of a recent five-year study done in Stockholm showed that there is an increased risk of developing Crohn's disease or colitis if you eat "fast foods" at least twice a week. Crohn's disease often results in deficiencies in vitamins E and K, copper, niacin and zinc. And people with bowel problems also tend to be deficient in the important nutrients magnesium, calcium, vitamin C and folic acid.

Bowel diseases can be both painful and debilitating. Both colitis and Crohn's disease produce intestinal spasms, mucus, and bouts of diarrhea, constipation or both. One difference is that Crohn's disease tends to cause sharp, intense pain in isolated areas, while colitis painfully inflames the entire large intestine. And attacks of diarrhea brought on by IBS are often so unpredictable that people who have these conditions fear to stray far from home.

One interesting remedy for various types of bowel diseases is a grapefruit seed extract. Although this extract is generally used to get rid of eczema, researchers testing its effects on skin noticed a curious—but beneficial—side effect. Grapefruit seed extract not only cleared up people's skin, it reduced diarrhea, constipation, intestinal gas, bloating and general abdominal discomfort. The dosages are small, usually only a couple of drops in a glass of water, so be sure to follow the instructions on the package. Grapefruit seed extract is also available in capsules.

Herbs such as calendula, marshmallow, licorice, Saint-John's-wort, chamomile, peppermint, hops and wild yam reduce the inflammation that causes the pain associated with these disorders. They also relax the nervous constriction of the digestive muscles and reduce the general tension that can promote bowel problems.

It takes only 20 to 40 minutes for a tea or tincture of hops to relax intestinal spasms. In one study on colitis, the pain suffered by almost all the participants disappeared within 15 days of starting a combination of calendula, dandelion, Saint-John's-wort and lemon balm (with fennel seed to relieve gas). Similar remedies that are popular in Europe include salad burnet, agrimony and bilberry. Gamma linoleic acid (GLA), from evening primrose oil, and omega-3, which is found in the herb purslane, also reduce inflammation and pain. The cabbage powder described to treat ulcers also heals the lining of the intestine.

Since psyllium is usually taken as a laxative, you might not think of using it for these various bowel diseases. It has, however, helped many people. In the late 1980s, several studies on psyllium seed were conducted at the department of gastroenterology at Hospital Italiano in Buenos Aires. In one of these studies, people with IBS, diarrhea or painful constipation due to bowel disorders were given psyllium seeds. By the end of the survey, 80 percent of the participants reported a decrease in pain, and all those who had diarrhea or constipation found that the conditions went away.

If you walk into almost any pharmacy in Europe and ask about treatments for chronic bowel problems, the clerk will recommend peppermint essential oil capsules. These specially coated capsules, which are especially effective in treating IBS, do not open until they reach the bowels. In a study conducted in 1984, these capsules were found to cure people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. Earlier, researchers had reported that "peppermint oil in enteric-coated capsules appears to be an effective and safe preparation for symptomatic treatment of irritable bowel syndrome."

Peppermint oil capsules certainly worked for Betty, who suffered bloating and embarrassing episodes of intestinal gas, often accompanied by cramping, as well as bouts of diarrhea that would hit her without warning. Because her bowels were so unpredictable, Betty, a vibrant woman in her seventies, worried about going anywhere, even to visit her doctor. When the loss of her quilter's club meetings, square dancing classes and visits to her grandchildren became too much, she finally made an appointment with her physician. Betty was told she had irritable bowel syndrome and was given a fistful of different prescriptions. She faithfully started taking the pills, but her problem did not improve and she began feeling groggy and out of sorts.

It was only when her daughter examined the fine print on the bottles that Betty realized she was taking some heavy-duty sedatives, which had been prescribed probably because the doctor had blamed her IBS on psychological problems. After visiting various doctors, including several specialists, and spending thousands of dollars on appointments and prescriptions, Betty decided that it was the treatment, not the disease, that was turning her into a nervous wreck. When Betty pointed this out, she was told that, like many of those who have suffered at some time from IBS, she would "just have to learn to live with it."

Then Betty discovered herbs. Her friend Charlotte came to visit from England and was dismayed to hear Betty's story. While Charlotte had never had IBS herself, two of her close friends and a niece had. Their doctors in England had provided capsules of peppermint essential oil, and they all reported great results. At first, Betty could not find the pills, so she drank plain old peppermint tea. She found it helpful, and when she was able to get the pills, she discovered that they did indeed work wonders—and for a lot less money and with fewer side effects than the drugs.

The inability of researchers to pinpoint the source of many cases of bowel disease has led to a number of theories. One suggests that bowel disease is connected to problems in the immune system and possibly even food allergies. In one study, researchers who looked at a group of people suffering from IBS found that two-thirds of them had food reactions, especially to coffee, alcohol and protein, and that everyone improved when the offending foods were pulled out of their diets.

Some of the best herbs to soothe the bowels, improve immunity and help prevent food allergies at the same time are chamomile, marshmallow and licorice. Chamomile and licorice have even been found to lower the risk of developing colitis. For more information and ways to treat bad reactions to food, see "Food Allergies and Reactions" in chapter 33.

Some bowel disorders, such as ulcerative colitis, can even result in bleeding, which in turn can cause anemia. Herbalists find that yellow dock helps increase iron levels and also tones the intestinal lining and slows bleeding. For more on anemia, see "Anemia" in chapter 58.

Bowel Formula

1 teaspoon wild yam root

½ teaspoon yellow dock root

1 quart water

1 teaspoon peppermint leaf

½ teaspoon each marshmallow root, chamomile flower, echinacea root and fennel seed

Add wild yam and yellow dock to water in a saucepan, bring to a simmer and add other herbs. Steep for about 15 minutes, then strain. Drink at least 2 cups daily. To enhance effectiveness, I like to mix this tea with equal amounts of carrot and celery juice—these vegetables also benefit bowel disorders. This formula can also be made into a tincture by combining the same recommended quantities of tinctures.