Homeopathic Remedies for Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that varies in symptoms and severity from one person to another. Common symptoms are: loose stool, abdominal cramping, inflammation in the joints, anal fistulae, bloody stool, anal fissures, eye inflammation and swelling of the sphincter. There are many different homeopathic treatments for the many different symptoms of Crohn's Disease.

Inflammation

To treat inflammation, belladonna is one of the most common and effective choices. It is for inflammation within joints. Symptoms that it treats include: swollen eyelids; shooting pains along limbs; swollen, red joints; shifting rheumatic pains; involuntary limping; and cold extremities.

Abdominal Cramping

To treat abdominal cramping there are several options. Each of the following options has a different, more specific subset of symptoms to choose from. Each of these should be taken at the onset of symptoms, according to the package dosing instructions. Choose the symptom set that most closely match your type of cramping and other body issues:

Cuprum metallicum is derived from copper. It treats the following symptoms: strong metallic, slimy taste, with flow of saliva; abdomen pain pulling behind lower ribs; stomach gurgling; watery stool; lethargy.

Kreosotum is derived from distilled wood tar. It is used for the following symptoms: red and swollen eyelids, bad breath, inflammation of the gums, painful hard spot in abdomen, bitter taste after a swallow of water, burning hemorrhoids, diarrhea and bloody stools.

Plumbum Metallicum is derived from lead. It is used to treat: intraocular, suppurative inflammation; optic nerve inflammation; brown discoloration of tongue; bad breath; constant vomiting; abdominal pain radiating to all parts of body; retracted abdomen; and pain that causes desire to stretch.

Kali Bromatum is derived from potassium bromide. It is used to treat: vomiting, with Intense thirst after each meal; persistent hiccough; sensation as if bowels were falling out; diarrhea, with lots of blood; green, watery stools; and retraction of the abdomen.

Anal Fistulae

Anal fistulae are abnormal pathways near the rectum. They are tunnel-like and can drain pus from an opening through the skin. They, along with abscesses, can cause swelling, pain and even fever.

A homeopathic option for this condition is causticum. It should be taken according to package dosing instructions (which vary with strength) at onset of the symptoms.

It is recommended for the following symptoms as well: abdomen pain and cramping, painful bloating, chaffed rectum skin, rectum pressure, fistulae (additional hole), constipation, difficult stool, rectum pain and soreness while walking and/or sitting, hemorrhoids and flatulence.

Bloody Stool

Bloody stools are common with Crohn's for a number of reasons, including anal fissures, ulcers in the intestine, and hemorrhoids. A remedy that is good for this, in addition to several other common Crohn's symptoms is sulphur. It should be taken according to package dosing instructions (which vary with strength) when needed to combat the symptoms. Other symptoms that sulphur treats are: eyelid inflammation; itching and burning of anus; diarrhea; cutting pain during stool passage; sharp rectum pain; stiffness of knees and ankles; bloody streaks in stool; inflammation in joints; synovitis.

Warning

Consult your physician or a doctor of naturopathy (ND) before beginning homeopathic treatments. If you are taking prescription medication for Crohn's or any other condition, you should consult your physician before taking a homeopathic remedy to make sure that it won't adversely interact with your other medications.

Also, many homeopathic medicines are derived from poisonous plants or herbs, which, taken in the extremely diluted quantities within each dose, should be fine. However, over-dosages or personal sensitivities to certain ingredients could cause serious side effects.

Sources:

Information about Crohn's Disease, http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/crohns/
Information on Homeopathic Remedies, http://abchomeopathy.com/go.php
Information on ND's, http://www.hpathy.com/dirhomeopath/