There is a wide range of plants that have a direct impact on colitis and other conditions of the colon. With astringents such as Bayberry (Myrica cerifera), wound healing demulcents like Comfrey root (Symphytum officinale) or Plantain (Plantago major) and the colic relieving properties of the anti-spasmodic Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa) much can be done to facilitate the healing of these distressing problems.
Colitis, an inflammation of the colon, appears to be caused by a number of different factors. Mucous colitis, also called irritable or spastic colon, is a functional disturbance in which the colon secretes abnormally large amounts of mucus, which appears in the stools. The most common symptom is abdominal cramping accompanied by either constipation or diarrhea, sometimes alternately. From what has already been said, the therapeutic possibilities of herbs in this conditions are exciting. Ulcerative colitis is another matter. A serious inflammatory disease that seems to be autoimmune in nature, poses real challenges to any therapist, wether herbalist or allopath. A competent medical herbalists has much to offer in the treatment of auto-immune condition, as discussed elsewhere.
Chinese research
Traditional Chinese Medicine has many herbal formulations that offer much in therapeutic benefit for both mucous and ulcerative colitis. With the clinical and laboratory research coming from China and Japan, a wealth of experience is becoming available to the west. A feature of much of the Chinese papers is an invaluable focus upon comparative studies, comparing and contrasting traditional Chinese and Western medicines in the treatment of a condition. This approach is all too rare in Western research on European and American herbal medicine. Chinese Herbalism often uses complex formulations, making analysis of individual components difficult, however the findings for these formulas shows them to be most effective. An area where they have much to offer is in the treatment of colitis and especially the auto-immune ulcerative kind.
Eastern European research
Eastern Europe is leading the way when it comes to research into clinical use of the western herbalists materia medica. The therapeutic results of research on a Bulgarian preparation based on Mullein called Verbascan shows much promise in the treatment of duodenal ulcer, gallstones, and abdominal spasm. As is usually the case with clinical research using herbs, much play was made of the safety of the remedy, with no adverse effects being found at all. In another study twenty four patients with chronic non-specific colitis were treated with a combination of Taraxacum officinalis folia, Hypericum perforatum, Melissa officinalis, Calendula officinalis and Foeniculum vulgare. As a result of the treatment the pains along the large intestine disappeared in 95.83% of the patients by the 15th day of their treatment. Defecation became daily in the patients with a constipation syndrome, but a combination of Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula), Sweet Orange Peel (Citrus aurantium) and Caraway (Carum carvi) was added to the herb combination. Defecation was normalized in patients with a diarrhea syndrome.
Traditional bitter digestive remedies have been given attention as a component in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Whilst this condition has a close connection with personality and stress, herbalists have achieved good results using bitters to help the intestine function well again. Ferula assa-foetida is one such herb. An official remedy until quite recently, it is well known amongst herbalists. German clinical observations bear out much that is claimed for it.
