Crohn's Disease

Description
A chronic inflammatory disease of the Digestive System, Crohn’s affects the junction between the small and large intestines, causing the intestinal wall to thicken and form Ulcers. Probably a genetic disorder, Crohn’s can be initiated by an allergic reaction or infectious agent. After it sets in, the Crohn’s patient may not be able to eat certain foods that aggravate the disease. Although the damaged portion of the intestine can be removed, Crohn’s often recurs and usually remains a lifelong disease once it begins.

Symptoms include abdominal Pain, chills, fever, frequent Diarrhoea, nausea, weakness, and weight loss. Because Crohn’s affects each person in different ways, treatment methods centre on the individual cases. About 3,000 to 4,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the UK, and the incidence has increased markedly over the last 30 years.

Herbs
Aloe Vera (6)
Echinacea (3)
Goldenseal (4)
Liquorice
Milk Thistle
Peppermint
Slippery Elm

Nutritional Supplements
B Complex
Vitamin B12 (1)
Calcium
Folic Acid (1)
Iron (1)
Magnesium (5)
Selenium
Vitamin C (2)
Zinc (1)

References
1. Imes S, Plinchbeck BR, Dinwoodie A, et al. Iron, folate, vitamin B-12, Zinc, and Copper status in out-patients with Crohn’s disease: effect of diet counseling. J Am Dietet Assoc 1987;87:928-30.
2. Middleton E. The flavonoids. Trends Pharmaceutical Science 1984; 5:335-38.
3. Tubaro A, et al: Anti-inflammatory activity of a polysaccharide fraction of Echinacea angustifolia, Journal of Pharm Pharmacol, 39(7), July 1987, p 567-569.
4. Rabbani GH, et al: Randomized controlled trial of berberine sulfate therapy for Diarrhoea due to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae, The Journal of Infectious diseases, 155(5), May 1987, p 979-984.
5. Sue YJ, et al: Efficacy of Magnesium citrate cathartic in pediatric toxic ingestions, Annals Emerg Med, 24(4), Oct 1994, p 709-712.
6. Sauto H, et al: Effects of aloe extracts, aloctin A, on gastric secretion and on experimental gastric lesions in rats, Yakugaku Zasshi, 109(5), May 1989, p 335-339.