Crohn's Disease

Crohn's Disease is medically defined as: "A chronic inflammatory bowel disease of unknown origin, usually affecting the ileum, the colon, or both structures.  Diseased segments may be separated by normal segments." (Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 3rd ed., p. 321)  Crohn's Disease is typically diagnosed when by clinical signs, X-ray studies using a contrast medium, and endoscopy.  The disease can be confused with ulcerative colitis, which happens to be an inflammatory bowel disease that affects the colon and rectum.  Because Crohn's Disease is known as 'ileocolitis', it is characterized by inflammation of the ileum section of the colon.

• Herbs can stimulate peristalsis and help tone, strengthen, nourish and repair the intestinal tract.  Herbs that help remedy or prevent Crohn's Disease include all cathartic and laxative herbs such as Senna Leaf/Pods, Cascara Sagrada, Aloe Vera Resin, Glucomannan, Buckthorn, Trifala, Bibitaki, Bilwa, and Ipecac Root.
• Catalyst family herbs such as cayenne, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon are also helpful in cases of Crohn's because they facilitate a fever; not breaking it, but working with it.  These different ingredients can also help naturally break chills and counter nausea, especially ginger.
• Antispasmodic herbs are also beneficial for Crohn's Disease.  These herbs include cramp bark, wild yam, and black haw.  They address and resolve painful spasms that are common in the abdomen, a common symptom of Crohn's Disease.
• Nutritive herbs are also important in remedying Crohn's Disease.  A nutritive herb provides nutrition to the body.  Nutritive herbs are usually rich in minerals, vitamins, B-vitamins, and amino acids (protein).  Some of these herbs include moringa seed, Irish moss, spirulina, alfalfa, chlorella, blue green algae, suma, dulse, sheep sorrell, kelp, barley grass, and wheatgrass.
• Carminative herbs are also recommended for Crohn's Disease.  These herbs soothe the digestive system and help to promote healthy gut flora.  These herbs include cardamom, chamomile, anise seed, fennel seed, and caraway seed.
• Crystal elixir of carnelian is very helpful in cases of Crohn's Disease.  No other crystal impacts the colon to the degree that carnelian does.  A crystal elixir is made by placing a crystal in distilled water for 24 hours (overnight, for the moon's influence on the elixir).  After 24 hours, the elixir can be drunk (1-4 ounces per day).
• Because diarrhea is associated with Crohn's Disease, sodium loss is inevitable as diarrhea causes a sodium depletion.  The sodium can be replaced by drinking celery juice (4 ounces per day) and/or drinking a glass of warm water with sea salt (one-third teaspoon of sea salt).
• People suffering from Crohn's Disease should switch to a plant-based vegan diet balanced with raw foods.  All meat, meat products, dairy products, processed foods, junk foods, refined sugars, and genetically modified foods should be cut out of the diet.  It is also recommended to entirely avoid refined starches and grains.
• Enemas and colonics should not be performed during severe bouts of Crohn's Disease, but nevertheless should be performed after recovering from Crohn's Disease.  Weekly enemas and monthly (every 3 months) colonics are a great preventive measure of Crohn's Disease.