Colitis - not a familiar term for everyone, but it covers a health issue that everyone is concerned about Gut Health, the mother of all other diseases.
Colitis, or Ulcerative Colitis, is a health concern faced by millions of people all around the world. The condition occurs when the colon, also referred to as the large intestine, becomes inflamed. This inflammation brings about discomfort, a sense of urgency, and several irregularities with the digestive system, which limits an individual’s daily activities.
Colitis is categorized into several types based on its cause and nature:
Infectious Colitis: Caused by infections due to bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
Severe abdominal pain and tenderness are common, which is the major trouble for colitis patients.
Frequent loose bowel movements, sometimes accompanied by blood or pus.
Fatigue and general body weakness impact daily activities.
Urgency and inability to defecate despite the urge can be distressing.
In severe cases, weight loss and anaemia may develop as nutritional absorption is compromised when the food is not excreted properly.
Jiva Ayurveda offers holistic Ayurvedic treatment of Colitis using evidence-based Ayurvedic approach. Our treatment plans are made to target the underlying causes of Colitis, and instead of just treating the symptoms, they focus on holistic healing, balance and stability.
Ayurveda focuses on healing your intestines from the inside, eliminating poisonous substances and restoring the balance of your entire body. Rather than only stopping the symptoms, Ayurvedic medicines address the issue at the root to repair damage, reduce inflammation, and support healthy digestion. Ayurvedic treatment of colitis relies upon a number of powerful natural herbs. These herbs include:
These Ayurvedic herbs are often used in combinations as powders, syrups or tablets, as per your body’s condition and dosha imbalance. Consult your Ayurvedic doctor before starting with any new Ayurvedic remedy to make sure the herbs and dosages are customised for your condition.
Ayurveda provides an all-natural treatment for colitis focusing on diet and lifestyle changes along with prescribing specific proven herbal medicines for promoting internal doshic imbalance & gut health.
A balanced diet should be encouraged to include lots of fresh and warm vegetables, ripe fruit, and light protein to ease the colon. Spices and fried foods should be restricted as these increase Pitta dosha..
Procedures like Basti, a type of medicated enema, are performed with the aim of cleaning the colon and eliminating the toxins from the intestines.
Practices such as yoga and meditation are beneficial to the patient since they bring down stress levels, which are important for better gut health.
It is recommended to do physical activity daily and drink plenty of fluids, which will help in the recovery and prevention of colonic diseases.
Nadi Pariksha
Starting the treatment with Nadi Pariksha, Jiva’s certified Ayurvedic doctors undertake this ancient method of pulse diagnosis to find the imbalances and the health of organs, which is key in the Ayurvedic treatment for Colitis.
Prakriti Analysis
Understanding your unique physical and psychological pattern allows us to tailor an Ulcerative Colitis treatment plan that not only addresses symptoms but aligns with your inherent constitution for lasting health.
Samprapti Ghatak (Pathogenesis)
In our investigations, we examine the if and how Colitis is progressing by the dietary, lifestyle, and psychosocial aspects, identifying individual factors for customised intervention and pinpointing specific triggers for targeted treatment.
Chikitsa Sutra - Personalised Treatment Plan
After that, we create a detailed Colitis treatment plan, which consists of diet modifications, lifestyle adjustments, herbal medications, and specific therapies that aim to restore dosha balance and enhance digestive health.
Continuous Monitoring & Amendments
Continuous tracking of treatment effectiveness allows us to make necessary adjustments, ensuring that you achieve the best results from your personalised Colitis treatment plan with Jiva's ongoing support.
In simple terms, Colitis might be understood as a disease characterised by an inflammation of the large intestines leading to issues like pain in the belly, diarrhoea, and, at times, blood discharge. As per Ayurveda, colitis happens when there is an imbalance of doshas, particularly Pitta dosha, that impacts the gastrointestinal tract.
When the pitta or vata dosha in the body aggravates, it results in inflammation and irritation of the colon. Some of the factors that are behind this aggravation are: unwholesome diet, mental tension, neglect in meal patterns, eating incompatible foods (Viruddha Ahara), and intake of very fiery, sour and fried foods.
Colitis is treated in Ayurveda using dietary modifications, herbal medicines, detox therapies of panchakarma and changing lifestyles. The aim is towards controlling the inflammation of the digestive tract and pacifying the tissues and normalising doshas, mainly the pitta dosha.
Dairy, spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, fried, processed or fatty foods, and some food items which require much more time to be broken down like nuts and seeds as well as corn should be avoided.
People suffering from colitis should be put on a light diet, which includes warm, soft, and well-cooked foods like rice, moong dal, steamed vegetables, and khichdi. Such foods should not contain spicy, oily, and processed preservatives, as well as – Dairy products, Caffeine, and Alcohol. Taking Ghee and Buttermilk, along with herbs including turmeric and ginger, can also help heal and cool down the stomach.
Yes, in colitis Ayurvedic treatment, the herbs such as Bilva, Kutaja, amla, liquorice (Yashtimadhu) and Haritaki, serve to mitigate inflammation and enhance digestion and gut flora, respectively. These herbs have anti-inflammatory and healing properties that calm the intestines' lining.
Yes, Panchakarma, which is a series of Ayurveda detoxification therapies, is useful in the management of colitis since it aids in detoxification and normalisation of the doshas. Certain treatments like Virechana (purgation therapy) and basti (enema) are particularly aimed at cleansing the pitta dosha from the body, hence relieving complaints of colitis such as inflammation and irritation.
In Ayurveda, preventing colitis involves balancing the doshas, particularly Pitta, which is often associated with inflammation and irritation in the digestive tract.
Stress can aggravate colitis by increasing Vata and Pitta doshas, leading to more severe symptoms. Ayurveda recommends stress management techniques such as meditation, pranayama (breathing exercises), yoga, and regular sleep patterns to calm the mind and reduce stress, which in turn helps manage colitis symptoms.
The duration of Ayurvedic treatment for ulcerative colitis varies based on the severity of the condition, the individual’s body constitution, and adherence to the prescribed regimen. Some patients may see improvements in a few weeks, while others may require a longer-term approach for sustained relief.
Ayurvedic treatments can generally be used alongside conventional medicine; however, it is important to consult with both your Ayurvedic practitioner and your conventional healthcare provider to ensure compatibility and avoid any potential interactions.
Absolutely. Ayurveda places a strong emphasis on lifestyle modifications, such as following a regular routine (Dinacharya), eating meals at consistent times, reducing stress, getting adequate sleep, and incorporating gentle exercise. These changes help maintain digestive balance and improve overall health, which is crucial in managing colitis.
Ulcerative colitis is confined to the colon and affects only the innermost lining, presenting continuous inflammation. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive tract from mouth to anus, involves all layers of the bowel wall, and shows patchy inflammation. Treatments vary as ulcerative colitis may be curable with surgery, while Crohn's often requires ongoing management.
