Aloe, slippery elm, licorice rt, ginger, broccoli, plantains

[Zizzle]

I have a holitistic medicine-oriented aunt who told me about a friend of hers who virtually cured her Crohn's disease with a combination of Aloe Vera, Slippery Elm, Licorice Root and Ginger. I've read about Aloe Vera juice being used for a wide number of GI issues, so I wonder why it hasn't gotten much attention in this group. I know slippery elm has a coating action that helps with sore throats, but apparently can coat the whole GI system too. I've read of Lupus patients improving their D with Slippery Elm supplements. Don't know much about licorice root or ginger, other than the anti-indigestion/anti-nausea properties of ginger. Has anyone tried these supplements? Any success?

Also, to the extent Crohn's overlaps with MC, this article just appeared on WebMD.

http://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease ... gid_090210

"Fibers from broccoli and plantain plants may block a key stage in the development of Crohn’s disease, a new study finds...

Researchers in Europe tested soluble fibers from broccoli, plantains, leeks, apples, and the food processing additives polysorbate 60 and 80. They wanted to see if the fibers could reduce the movement of E. coli bacteria across cells lining the bowel, perhaps protecting against Crohn’s disease.

They found that broccoli and plantain fibers prevented E. coli movement by between 45% and 82%; leek and apple fibers showed no impact. The food additive polysorbate 80, however, substantially increased E. coli movement."


More research is needed, but at least they are looking at dietary factors for once. I wonder if it means we should avoid Polysorbate 80? Honestly, are any food additives OK for you?

For example, I never consumed Splenda but am dead-set against it now after researchers discovered it can kill up to 50% of your good intestinal bacteria. Maybe one more factor why GI diseases are on the rise? But no one is listening!!

[tex]

A lot of members have tried those items, over the years, but no one has reported any significant sucess. The problem is probably the same as with prescription meds - they might help to mask the symptoms, but they do not address the primary problem, namely, the inflammation generated as a result of autoimmune reactions caused by food sensitivities.

Ant posted about another article describing that research project, a day or so ago. My question is, "exactly what part does E. coli play in the development of Crohn's disease?" I thought that it was just a secondary or tertiary consideration, at best. If E. coli is a primary cause of granulomatous inflammation, then why aren't antibiotics effective against the disease?

Based on the research results, though, it certainly couldn't hurt to avoid polysorbate 80. The less food additives listed on a label, the more likely I am to try a product. In general, anything with an ingredient list longer than 5 items, should be viewed with suspicion.

I wasn't aware of that discovery about Splenda, (but then, I don't consider any artificial sweeteners to be generally safe to use, so I don't keep track of them). If that's true, (that it can upset the balance of gut bacteria), then as you say, it's no wonder that GI problems are at epidemic levels.

No one is listening because the general public doesn't understand the extent of the implications, and industry, (including the manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and the medical community), see it as a cash cow. More GI issues simply opens the door to a bigger market for additional products to counteract the problem, and/or treat the medical consequences. That's a win-win situation for everyone except the goat, I mean the consumer, (as usual).

Tex

[Gabes-Apg]

Zizzle

both my naturopath and acupuncturist (who i have been seeing for 10 years or more and are close friends) have found supporting me with MC a bit of a challenge - as all the known and proven natural type ingredients for GERD, IBS and Crohns etc have not worked for me, if anything they trigger bad D reactions as bad as ingesting gluten.

I have found that the best way for me to absorb treatments is via sublingual (drops and sprays)
the only liquid i can ingest is zinc (in small quantities in juice) all the other liquids and tablets cause D


all part of the coded messages in the maze of MC!

[barbaranoela]

Luved the way Tex replied---U SIZZLE ZIZZLE--that made me grin from ear to ear--

Welcome to the family----and a if U can---

Also sounding like U going to tackle this ailment come hell or high waters~~

Good luck

Barbara--

[Ginny]

Zizzle, I drank aleo vera for months and have used ginger, peppermint and other wonderful natural supplements and although I'm sure they did no harm it really hasn't done anything for the MC. BUT you got to keep trying and again we are all individuals and what works for you may or may not work for another. Gabes point is well taken, because I have also found that sublingual works better for me when I can get it that form.

Keep researching and trying. Ginny

[mia]

Gabes- do you mean that things like vitamin tablets etc cause you D? I keep wondering about that for myself. ( I may have misunderstood your post though?)
Mia

[Gabes-Apg]

Mia
yep that is correct - any vitamin, amino acid, herb based item, probiotic tablet i have tried so far have caused D
I also got D from to olive leaf extract ( liquid) and golden seal (liquid)

talking to one of my dearest friends, who is a naturopath, about this she said that it may be that the dosage is too strong for my delicate system
hence why i may have got d worse when using absorbtion via stomach
and i do notice a slight reaction if i have a big dose of any my current sub lingual type products


I am able to tolerate
liquid zinc in juice
sublingual V D3
B12 sublingual tablets (although they do give me a bit of Gerd)
have just started using some digestion aid sprays again sub lingual

based on this presumption - i am taking smaller doses more often Ie the digestion sprays i am doing 1 spray 4 times a day (the dosage says 4 sprays 1 - 2 times a day)

the Vit D3 - one drop three times a day (rather than the 3 drops once a day)

[coryhub]

Before Xmas, I went to a herbalist shop and bought: slippery elm, plantain, dandelion tea, and licorice after reading several posts on our message board about herbal remedies. I was to combine them into a tea drink. I was afraid to add too many new things at once so i just added the slippery elm to a loose green tea and drank it for a month. I don't know if it is psychological or what but my intestines feel good. Maybe it's the calming zen moment of tea time at work. I don't mind the slippery elm taste. This week, I added the Plantain to the mix. So far so good but not as tasty. Thanks to everyone who over the years mentioned slippery elm. I think I've received some positive results. All in all, if I keep doing what I'm doing I may have my best year yet since my 2010 diagnosis.

[Leah]

I taKE GINGER AND TUMERIC FOR THEIR ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES. None of the others.

Leah

[DJ]

I have tried most of the mentioned remedies. They didn't help. I love slippery elm. It's a childhood memory but it only helps in that it makes me smile.

[MaggieRedwings]

Have tried most of them - especially the Aloe Vera Juice - with no significant results.

BARBARA - HELLO! HELLO! HELLO! Boy do I miss you so.

Love, Maggie

[coryhub]

Now the herbalist is having me add Marshamallow root to my tea mix. Below is what it says online about this herb.....

Marshmallow is a plant. The leaves and the root are used to make medicine. Don’t confuse marshmallow with the mallow (Malva sylvestris) flower and leaf.
Marshmallow leaf and root are used for pain and swelling (inflammation) of the mucous membranes that line the respiratory tract. They are also used for dry cough, inflammation of the lining of the stomach, diarrhea, stomach ulcers, constipation, urinary tract inflammation, and stones in the urinary tract.
In foods, marshmallow leaf and root are used as a flavoring agent.
How does it work?
Marshmallow forms a protective layer on the skin and lining of the digestive tract. It also contains chemicals that might decrease cough and help heal wounds.

Will let you know how it goes....

[tex]

Maggie,

Unfortunately this is another 3+ year old post (reincarnated from September of 2010).

Love,
Tex

[BusyMom]

Been having a very mild/dull pain about an inch above my belly-button for about a week now. This is a new type of discomfort from my past stomach issues and diagnosis of MC this last April. I'm waiting on doctor to call back but in the mean time, went to store and bought Turmeric. (Turmeric Supreme Extra Strength from Gaia Herbs) Amazing but about a half hour after taking, my pain has completely subsided (at least for now. I just took it earlier this evening). I assume it's some type of inflammation happening, but what are the usual culprits causing it? I eat a lot of protein, and that seems to be a possible cause of the discomfort. Also, are there other foods that hurt/help when inflammation is active? I'm not having any D, which is my usual issue; just the discomfort in my upper gut.

Thanks,

Michele

[tex]

Hi Michele,

It's difficult to guess what the cause of such pains might be. If it comes on a half hour or so after eating a meal that contains a significant amount of fat, and then slowly fades away 5 or 6 hours later, it could be due to a gallbladder problem. If eating meals containing more fat don't seem to make it worse, it could be due to inadequate stomach acidity. But there are many other possible causes, and in many cases where members describe a similar pain, they're unable to track down the cause, unfortunately.

If it were due to excessive histamine activation causing too much stomach acidity, you should have D, but there are always exceptions to virtually every rule.

Tex