Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMeditation and YogaHerbsAloe VeraCurcuminWalnutsOmega-3 Fatty AcidsRegular ExerciseAvoid Food TriggersEat Small Meals
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Meditation and Yoga
Herbs
Aloe Vera
Curcumin
Walnuts
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Regular Exercise
Avoid Food Triggers
Eat Small Meals
Although there is no cure for ulcerative colitis, there are a number of treatments and natural remedies to help calm symptoms. Conventional treatment options may include medications, surgery, and changes to diet and nutrition.Some studies suggest that natural remedies like dietary supplements, yoga, exercise, and dietary modifications may also be beneficial alongside standard treatment.
In this article, learn about natural remedies for ulcerative colitis symptoms, including exercise and mindfulness, foods, herbs, and eating patterns.
Brooke Pelczynski / Verywell
IBD patients are at a higher risk for depression and anxiety, especially when their disease is active.Mind-body practices like yoga, mindfulness, andmeditationcan help reduce stress, improve a person’s state of mind, and improve overall health and well-being.
Complementaryand alternative medicines (CAM) will not cure ulcerative colitis, and they should not replace conventional therapies.
Some herbal remedies may be beneficial for those with ulcerative colitis. Herbal medicine is a traditional Chinese practice that utilizes plants or plant extracts to treat medical conditions.
Studies show that traditional Chinese medicine herbal formulations, such as Rhubarb Peony Decoction and Huaihua Powder, help balance gut microbiota.Other herbs that help, according to research, include powder extracts from the indigo plant, the Lycium plant, and other traditional Chinese herbs.
Herbs and Essential Oils for Ulcerative Colitis
Thealoe veraplant is commonly used in skin care but may also benefit people with UC. It has anti-inflammatory properties and may provide a therapeutic effect for those with UC. Researchers found that hospitalized patients with UC who consumed 200 milliliters of aloe vera gel and continued their regular treatment saw more significant improvements in the disease than those who did not take aloe vera. In fact, 30% of the patients who took aloe vera experienced clinical remission, compared to 7% of those who did not.
Warnings About Aloe Vera Consumption
Those with ulcerative colitis should be cautious about consuming aloe vera juice, commonly available in stores. Aloe vera has a laxative effect and may be problematic for those already experiencing diarrhea.
Curcumin is an active ingredient in turmeric. It is believed to contain anti-inflammatory properties, which may benefit those with ulcerative colitis.
One research review examined the results of seven studies involving 380 patients with ulcerative colitis. It found that when curcumin therapy was combined with mesalamine (brand names include Asacol, Pentasa, Mesasal, and Salofalk), a medication prescribed for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, patients were three times more likely to experience a clinical response. The same study found that those on curcumin therapy also experienced minimal side effects.
Walnuts have numerous health benefits, including guarding against colon cancer and inflammation.Therefore, consuming walnuts may be beneficial for those with ulcerative colitis.
In a 2019 study on mice, researchers found that consuming walnuts protected mice with ulcerative colitis.
The mice were given walnuts to eat for two weeks. The researchers found that the mice experienced less injury to their colons during a period of experimentally induced ulcerative colitis and that the colonic mucosa was repaired more effectively following the walnut consumption.
While this study was on mice, more research is underway to understand how walnuts might impact humans with ulcerative colitis.
Omega-3 fatty acids, like those found in fish oil, may benefit those with ulcerative colitis. Fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and may help reduce colon inflammation in people with ulcerative colitis.
Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in:
Research in this area is ongoing and the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids on ulcerative colitis is still to be determined.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and IBD
Exercise is essential to staying well for those living with ulcerative colitis. Regular exercise can help you:
During a flare-up, exercise may be difficult or not always possible. During this time, it is fine to limit exercise.
Yoga and Ulcerative Colitis
Certain foods should be avoided during a flare-up, and some may trigger symptoms like abdominal pain and bloating.
These foods include:
Eating smaller meals may help with the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Try eating four to six small meals rather than three big meals daily.
In addition to meal size, pay attention to the type of fiber consumed during meals. Water-soluble fiber is non-irritating and promotes the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the gut.This includes foods like potatoes, carrots, beets, and bananas. Cooked, mashed vegetables are an excellent source of water-soluble fiber.
What Should You Eat and Avoid with Ulcerative Colitis?
Summary
Some evidence suggests that natural remedies like yoga, omega-3 fatty acids, and some herbs may be beneficial for people with ulcerative colitis.
Complementary and alternative medicine will not cure ulcerative colitis and should not replace conventional therapies.If you require more guidance on treatment options, speak with a healthcare provider.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Ulcerative colitis treatment options.Neuendorf R, Harding A, Stello N, Hanes D, Wahbeh H.Depression and anxiety in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review.J Psychosom Res. 2016;87:70-80. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2016.06.001Choi K, Chun J, Han K, et al.Risk of anxiety and depression in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A nationwide, population-based study.J Clin Med. 2019;8(5):654. doi:10.3390/jcm8050654Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Mind-body therapies.González-Moret R, Cebolla A, Cortés X. et al.The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on different biomarkers among patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a randomised controlled trial.Sci Rep.2020;10(6071). doi:10.1038/s41598-020-63168-4Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.What is complementary medicine?Gupta M, Mishra V, Gulati M, et al.Natural compounds as safe therapeutic options for ulcerative colitis.Inflammopharmacology. 2022;30(2):397-434. doi:10.1016/j.chmed.2023.03.003Picardo S, Altuwaijri M, Devlin SM, Seow CH.Complementary and alternative medications in the management of inflammatory bowel disease.Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2020;13:175628482092755. doi:10.1177/1756284820927550Michigan Medicine.Complementary and Alternative Therapies for IBD.Chandan S, Mohan BP, Chandan OC, et al.Curcumin use in ulcerative colitis: is it ready for prime time? A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.Ann Gastroenterol. 2020;33(1):53-58.Fan N, Fusco JL, Rosenberg DW.Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of walnut constituents: focus on personalized cancer prevention and the microbiome.Antioxidants (Basel). 2023;12(5):982. doi:10.3390/antiox12050982Nakanishi M, Matz A, Klemashevich C, Rosenberg DW.Dietary walnut supplementation alters mucosal metabolite profiles during DSS-induced colonic ulceration.Nutrients. 2019; 11(5):1118. doi:10.3390/nu11051118Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Vitamins, minerals, and supplements.Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Exercise.Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.What should I eat?Radziszewska M, Smarkusz-Zarzecka J, Ostrowska L, Pogodziński D.Nutrition and supplementation in ulcerative colitis.Nutrients. 2022;14(12):2469. doi:10.3390/nu14122469
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Ulcerative colitis treatment options.Neuendorf R, Harding A, Stello N, Hanes D, Wahbeh H.Depression and anxiety in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review.J Psychosom Res. 2016;87:70-80. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2016.06.001Choi K, Chun J, Han K, et al.Risk of anxiety and depression in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A nationwide, population-based study.J Clin Med. 2019;8(5):654. doi:10.3390/jcm8050654Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Mind-body therapies.González-Moret R, Cebolla A, Cortés X. et al.The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on different biomarkers among patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a randomised controlled trial.Sci Rep.2020;10(6071). doi:10.1038/s41598-020-63168-4Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.What is complementary medicine?Gupta M, Mishra V, Gulati M, et al.Natural compounds as safe therapeutic options for ulcerative colitis.Inflammopharmacology. 2022;30(2):397-434. doi:10.1016/j.chmed.2023.03.003Picardo S, Altuwaijri M, Devlin SM, Seow CH.Complementary and alternative medications in the management of inflammatory bowel disease.Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2020;13:175628482092755. doi:10.1177/1756284820927550Michigan Medicine.Complementary and Alternative Therapies for IBD.Chandan S, Mohan BP, Chandan OC, et al.Curcumin use in ulcerative colitis: is it ready for prime time? A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.Ann Gastroenterol. 2020;33(1):53-58.Fan N, Fusco JL, Rosenberg DW.Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of walnut constituents: focus on personalized cancer prevention and the microbiome.Antioxidants (Basel). 2023;12(5):982. doi:10.3390/antiox12050982Nakanishi M, Matz A, Klemashevich C, Rosenberg DW.Dietary walnut supplementation alters mucosal metabolite profiles during DSS-induced colonic ulceration.Nutrients. 2019; 11(5):1118. doi:10.3390/nu11051118Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Vitamins, minerals, and supplements.Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Exercise.Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.What should I eat?Radziszewska M, Smarkusz-Zarzecka J, Ostrowska L, Pogodziński D.Nutrition and supplementation in ulcerative colitis.Nutrients. 2022;14(12):2469. doi:10.3390/nu14122469
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Ulcerative colitis treatment options.Neuendorf R, Harding A, Stello N, Hanes D, Wahbeh H.Depression and anxiety in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review.J Psychosom Res. 2016;87:70-80. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2016.06.001Choi K, Chun J, Han K, et al.Risk of anxiety and depression in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A nationwide, population-based study.J Clin Med. 2019;8(5):654. doi:10.3390/jcm8050654Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Mind-body therapies.González-Moret R, Cebolla A, Cortés X. et al.The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on different biomarkers among patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a randomised controlled trial.Sci Rep.2020;10(6071). doi:10.1038/s41598-020-63168-4Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.What is complementary medicine?Gupta M, Mishra V, Gulati M, et al.Natural compounds as safe therapeutic options for ulcerative colitis.Inflammopharmacology. 2022;30(2):397-434. doi:10.1016/j.chmed.2023.03.003Picardo S, Altuwaijri M, Devlin SM, Seow CH.Complementary and alternative medications in the management of inflammatory bowel disease.Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2020;13:175628482092755. doi:10.1177/1756284820927550Michigan Medicine.Complementary and Alternative Therapies for IBD.Chandan S, Mohan BP, Chandan OC, et al.Curcumin use in ulcerative colitis: is it ready for prime time? A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.Ann Gastroenterol. 2020;33(1):53-58.Fan N, Fusco JL, Rosenberg DW.Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of walnut constituents: focus on personalized cancer prevention and the microbiome.Antioxidants (Basel). 2023;12(5):982. doi:10.3390/antiox12050982Nakanishi M, Matz A, Klemashevich C, Rosenberg DW.Dietary walnut supplementation alters mucosal metabolite profiles during DSS-induced colonic ulceration.Nutrients. 2019; 11(5):1118. doi:10.3390/nu11051118Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Vitamins, minerals, and supplements.Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Exercise.Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.What should I eat?Radziszewska M, Smarkusz-Zarzecka J, Ostrowska L, Pogodziński D.Nutrition and supplementation in ulcerative colitis.Nutrients. 2022;14(12):2469. doi:10.3390/nu14122469
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Ulcerative colitis treatment options.
Neuendorf R, Harding A, Stello N, Hanes D, Wahbeh H.Depression and anxiety in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review.J Psychosom Res. 2016;87:70-80. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2016.06.001
Choi K, Chun J, Han K, et al.Risk of anxiety and depression in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A nationwide, population-based study.J Clin Med. 2019;8(5):654. doi:10.3390/jcm8050654
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Mind-body therapies.
González-Moret R, Cebolla A, Cortés X. et al.The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on different biomarkers among patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a randomised controlled trial.Sci Rep.2020;10(6071). doi:10.1038/s41598-020-63168-4
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.What is complementary medicine?
Gupta M, Mishra V, Gulati M, et al.Natural compounds as safe therapeutic options for ulcerative colitis.Inflammopharmacology. 2022;30(2):397-434. doi:10.1016/j.chmed.2023.03.003
Picardo S, Altuwaijri M, Devlin SM, Seow CH.Complementary and alternative medications in the management of inflammatory bowel disease.Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2020;13:175628482092755. doi:10.1177/1756284820927550
Michigan Medicine.Complementary and Alternative Therapies for IBD.
Chandan S, Mohan BP, Chandan OC, et al.Curcumin use in ulcerative colitis: is it ready for prime time? A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.Ann Gastroenterol. 2020;33(1):53-58.
Fan N, Fusco JL, Rosenberg DW.Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of walnut constituents: focus on personalized cancer prevention and the microbiome.Antioxidants (Basel). 2023;12(5):982. doi:10.3390/antiox12050982
Nakanishi M, Matz A, Klemashevich C, Rosenberg DW.Dietary walnut supplementation alters mucosal metabolite profiles during DSS-induced colonic ulceration.Nutrients. 2019; 11(5):1118. doi:10.3390/nu11051118
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Vitamins, minerals, and supplements.
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Exercise.
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.What should I eat?
Radziszewska M, Smarkusz-Zarzecka J, Ostrowska L, Pogodziński D.Nutrition and supplementation in ulcerative colitis.Nutrients. 2022;14(12):2469. doi:10.3390/nu14122469
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