Alternative Treatment Methods for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Content
1.Different Treatment Options for IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
2. Phytopharmaceuticals (herbal medicines)
3. Mind-Body Techniques
1.Different Treatment Options for IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
There are different approaches to treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, conventional standard therapy remains the primary treatment option. Complementary medicine can be used alongside standard therapy. This includes naturopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including acupuncture, stress reduction methods, and practices such as yoga.
2. Phytopharmaceuticals (herbal medicines)
Various phytopharmaceuticals (herbal medicines) are relevant for IBD treatment (1):
Ground psyllium husks act as a bulking agent, increasing stool volume and thereby regulating bowel movement. According to the S3 guideline for ulcerative colitis, psyllium husk can be used as a complementary treatment for maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis (2). However, its use is not recommended in cases of intestinal stenosis (narrowing) (1).
Myrrh is considered to have antimicrobial and antidiarrheal properties (1). Coffee charcoal also has anti-diarrheal and anti-inflammatory effects (1). Chamomile exhibits anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties (1). A combination of these three substances can be used as a complementary therapy for maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis, according to the S3 guideline (2). This recommendation is based on a 2013 study in which the combination preparation showed a similar effect to the drug mesalazine in maintaining remission (3).
Curcuminoids (compounds derived from turmeric) are attributed with numerous properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects (1). According to the S3 guideline for ulcerative colitis, curcumin can be used as a complementary therapy alongside an aminosalicylate for both inducing and maintaining remission (2). This recommendation is based on a 2006 study in which participants received either curcumin or a placebo in combination with sulfasalazine or mesalamine (both medications belonging to the aminosalicylate group) (4). The curcumin group showed better remission maintenance compared to those receiving only the standard medications (4).
Blueberries have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects (1). A study on mice demonstrated that blueberries reduced inflammation and contributed to an improvement in the “disease activity index” (DAI) (5).
Frankincense is considered anti-inflammatory and is therefore often used in practice to support the treatment of IBD. However, current studies on the use of frankincense for IBD do not provide sufficient evidence to support a recommendation. (1)
3. Mind-Body Techniques
Another supportive therapy approach is the so-called mind-body method. This includes stress reduction (2) and yoga (2,6), which primarily aim to improve quality of life.
Acupuncture can be recommended for mild to moderate flare-ups according to the guidelines (2).
References
- Dr. med. Jost Langhorst, Bauchredner 2/2014, Phytotherapie: Pflanzliche Wirkstoffe bei CED, BR-2014-2_046-054.pdf (dccv.de), latest check 16.04.2023
- DGVS, S3-Leitlinie Colitis ulcerosa, 2022/23, LL-CU_Leitlinie_final_20.03.223.pdf (dgvs.de), latest check 16.04.2023
- Langhorst J, Varnhagen I, Schneider SB, Albrecht U, Rueffer A, Stange R, Michalsen A, Dobos GJ. Randomised clinical trial: a herbal preparation of myrrh, chamomile and coffee charcoal compared with mesalazine in maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis–a double-blind, double-dummy study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2013 Sep;38(5):490-500. doi: 10.1111/apt.12397. Epub 2013 Jul 4. PMID: 23826890.
- Hanai H, Iida T, Takeuchi K, Watanabe F, Maruyama Y, Andoh A, Tsujikawa T, Fujiyama Y, Mitsuyama K, Sata M, Yamada M, Iwaoka Y, Kanke K, Hiraishi H, Hirayama K, Arai H, Yoshii S, Uchijima M, Nagata T, Koide Y. Curcumin maintenance therapy for ulcerative colitis: randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006 Dec;4(12):1502-6. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2006.08.008. Epub 2006 Nov 13. PMID: 17101300.
- Osman N, Adawi D, Ahrné S, Jeppsson B, Molin G. Probiotics and blueberry attenuate the severity of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Dig Dis Sci. 2008 Sep;53(9):2464-73. doi: 10.1007/s10620-007-0174-x. Epub 2008 Feb 15. PMID: 18274903.
- Sharma P, Poojary G, Dwivedi SN, Deepak KK. Effect of Yoga-Based Intervention in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Int J Yoga Therap. 2015;25(1):101-12. doi: 10.17761/1531-2054-25.1.101. Erratum in: Int J Yoga Therap. 2016 Jan;26(1):131. PMID: 26667293.
