Colitis is a condition of swelling and inflammation in the large intestine. There are various reasons why large intestine, or the colon, swells and becomes inflamed, for example, bacterial or viral infection, food poisoning, inflammatory disorders (ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease), lack of blood flow (ischemic colitis), and radiation.
You can treat colitis in various ways, the treatment, by and large, depends on the primary cause and symptoms. Actually, many cases of colitis are treated by using a liquid based diet. This is to ensure that your bowel gets proper rest for recovery. In the meantime, you are also administered a pain killer. By the way, there are also many home remedies and herbal remedies that are equally effective against colitis. Having said that if your condition is severe, you will require more advanced forms of treatment such as intravenous fluids and other medicines.
Symptoms of colitis
- Abdominal pain, which is might come and go, or might be constant
- Bloating of stomach, or frequent bowel movements
- Blood in the stool
- Constant feeling of thirst
- Shaking chills, or fever
- Diarrhea
Some of these symptoms, for instance blood in the stool, should not be ignored, as this might not just be a case of colitis but indicating colon cancer. Thus, when you see blood in the stool you should immediately consult your GP.
Natural and Home Based Treatments for Colitis
Linseed/Flax seed
Flax seed or Linseed is one of the popular home remedies for any kind of bowel disorders including colitis. You can either drink flax seed water or flax seed water. Soak one table spoon of flax seed in water over night and drink the water in the morning, before you eat your breakfast. You can also make power of flax seed and take one teaspoon flax seed powder with warm water in the morning in an empty stomach.
Relieve colitis with rice water
Rice water is also a popular remedy for colitis. Boil one cup of rice in three cups of water for 20 minutes. Strain and drink rice water every day in the morning until your symptoms pass away, which is generally in 1-2 weeks.
Cabbage Juice/Tea to Relieve Colitis
Cabbage juice and cabbage tea are not just home remedies for colitis. Actually, there have been studies clinical studies and it was discovered that cabbage juice and cabbage tea both are very effective against colitis. One such study was conducted in Stanford University School of Medicine
Make cabbage juice and drink one cup of cabbage juice 3-4 times a day. You can either make fresh juice every time you have to drink or make a large amount of cabbage juice and store in the fridge.
Cabbage tea is made by boiling cabbage in water for 15 minutes. Seasoning is not recommended, however, if you feel uncomfortable drinking cabbage tea you can add a pinch or salt and pepper.
Bananas
Banana as a treatment for ulcerative colitis is very popular with native healers in many countries and cultures. Since banana is slightly laxative and easy to digest, this alleviates the symptoms of colitis and accelerate the healing process. As a treatment for colitis, you have to eat 1-2 bananas every day. You can also combine banana with yogurt. Since yogurt is rich in probiotics, yogurt is very good for your stomach and intestine health.
Chamomile tea
Chamomile tea has anti-inflammatory properties, therefore, it is good for relieving pain when your colon is swelled.
Coconut water
A glass of coconut water every day can help your intestine to heal from colitis. Coconut water neutralizes acidic conditions in your stomach and intestine.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera juice or gel can also help you in colitis. If you have aloe vera plant in your home, you can take two teaspoon aloe gel every day until your conditions improve. Alternatively, you can also buy aloe vera juice and drink two tea spoon of aloe vera juice every day.
Apples and papaya
Eating apple or papaya every day also helps in relieving conditions of colitis. You can also drink apple juice or papaya smoothie instead of fruit. These fruits not only help in digestion but also contain compounds that are highly beneficial in curing colitis.
Home compresses to relieve colitis
In order to relieve pain and swelling in the intestine, you can also try hot or cold compress made from various oils and herbs.
Apple cider vinegar compresses
Wet a towel in apple cider vinegar, spread the towel in your abdomen and cover with plastic wrap. Leave the compress for 2 hours.
Castor oil compresses
Wet a towel in castor oil, spread the towel on your abdomen and then cover with plastic wrap. Place hot bad on your abdomen and leave it for an hour.
Epsom salts compresses to relieve colitis
A solution of Epsom salt and water by adding two tablespoon Epsom salts in two cups of water. Wet a towel in the solution and apply it to your abdomen. Place a hot bad on the abdomen and leave for 2 hours.
Conclusion
The treatment methods explained above are for mild symptoms or to ease pain and swelling. However, if you have severe symptoms, you need to visit your health care provider.