but am thinking of exploring through books specifically on IBDs and natural methods.
You seem to be on the same path that I have been on for a while.
The marshmallow root
should be OK as it is very gentle. And because traditionally and presently it is used by practitioners to treat IBD. Because of its mucilage content is can be used for both diarrhea and constipation. If you have diarrhea it helps to dry things up, and if you have constipation it helps to get things going.
It has other healing properties that help IBD too. From past experiences with anything new, I find it is best to start slowly with a low dose and build up my tolerance levels, rather than going in gung-ho in all guns blazing in the beginning.
Because I have only made a few posts, they won’t let me post proper links. But if you wanted to search further, the following has information in relation to IBD and marshmallow:
herbwisdom.com/herb-marshmallow.html
You just add the www at the beginning
Slippery Elm powder is fantastic too. In the mornings if I have loose bowels and have to travel on public transport, I will have some SEP and it works wonders. I just use a teaspoon of SEP in a little water and then ten minutes later you have a paste that you can add to smoothies or juices. You could even add water and drink it, but the taste is a little off without something else to hide it.
My own background is seeing the gastroenterologist and doctor for many years and both of them telling me that diet and supplements were a waste of time and money, as they would not work. I got so depressed, despondent and suicidal and I was not really getting any better.
The drugs were managing the disease only - I was not actually getting better. In sheer desperation and because I was often too ill to leave the house,
I started exploring through books specifically on IBDs and natural methods.
From there I learnt that “gluey” foods like cheese, wheat / gluten should be avoided by IBD sufferers. I also learnt that green kale juices, liquid chlorophyll, wheatgrass and spirulina were good for IBD sufferers.
I started experimenting and found I felt MUCH better avoiding gluey foods – the cramping, mucous, bleeding and pain went away, and I felt fantastic with more energy and my bowels were calmer.
I also found that the green stuff worked wonders and calmed me down and actually seemed to improve my condition. A bit more reading lead me onto L-Glutamine supplement powder and over time that started to help to.
But I was a bit frazzled with so much information to take in, that I saw a naturopath and told her what I had discovered. She said I was on the right path and had the right ideas, but she then took it even further and introduced me to other beneficial foods and supplements.
She also helped me with my emotions, stress and depression since all three are intertwined and connected to IBD.
My naturopath is also an herbalist but she does not keep a dispensary on premises, so then I started working with an herbalist who has a dispensary and things have improved even more. Both know exactly what I am taking because they prescribed the medicine, so there is no possibility of overdosing.
I feel very well looked after. And then if I discover anything else I feel may help, I contact them and they will either say yes or no, and then explain why – so I am learning more as I go on.
I still retain my gastroenterologist and doctor, but I just never see them now because my needs are met elsewhere.
I should also mention that the first naturopath I saw did not have much experience with UC but she still managed to improve my situation. My second and present naturopath and the herbalist both have extensive knowledge of and experience with IBD. They have both successful treated a number of IBD sufferers. So you may have to ask round rather than going to the first person you come across.
I would be interested to hear what other ideas you have discovered on the natural front, as I am always keen to learn more and something may help me too.
Cheers
Melanie