Western Medicine and Natural Medicine view IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) from different angles. Whereas Western Medicine concentrates largely on relieving the symptoms of IBD, Natural Medicine primarily focuses on addressing and correcting the imbalances of other systems which are also involved in the disease process. While Western Medicine uses fairly standardized drug and surgical treatment protocols for IBD, treatments in Natural Medicine are highly individualized, with different Acupuncture points, herbal prescriptions and diary therapies being used for each patient.

IBD patients undergoing Natural Medicine treatments frequently remain on the medication prescribed by their Western Medicine doctors, until such time as their condition has improved substantially. Patients should consult with their Western Medicine doctors regarding how to wean themselves off medication once their situation has stabilized as it is important to discontinue these medications in an appropriate manner.

The treatment is usually a combination of herbal medicine, special diet, and sometimes Acupuncture, all of which work synergistically to achieve optimum results. The treatment is highly individualized, with each patient having a unique treatment regimen to suit his or her special needs.

Patients who suffer from Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis experience toxicity which results from a malfunctioning digestive system. Herbs are the best agent to help the body detoxify by cleaning the digestive tract and blood stream. These herbs, while very powerful, have no side effects, provided that the formula is very carefully balanced. In addition to the herbs used for detoxification, specific herbs are introduced to strengthen the digestive system and promote the ealing f ulceration and lesions. Herbs are also used to build up the body by strengthening and nourishing organs, tissues, and blood. Hundreds of different organic Chinese herbs may be used in various combinations in the treatment of this disease.

Acupuncture is used in IBD to restore balance to the body's energy levels. It increases the resistance of the body by enhancing its natural capabilities. Acupuncture is used to improve the digestive function by increasing circulation and reducing pain. It also relaxes the nervous system and relieves stress. Acupuncture is not used in isolation in treating IBD, but is used in conjunction with herbal and dietary therapies.

In Natural Medicine, diet and nutrition play a very important role in the treatment and prevention of disease in general and IBD in particular. Dietary therapy is used in conjunction with herbs and Acupuncture to restore the patient to good health.

Diet can also play a causative role when it comes to IBD. Until quite recently, there were very few cases of UC (Ulcerative Colitis) and CD (Crohn's Disease) in China. Since the marked increase in popularity of Western fast foods, the incidence of hess diseases has increased dramatically in that country. This demonstrates how the excessive consumption of the wrong kinds of food can, over time, cause digestive and metabolic problems and can also impact negatively on the immune system. Another aspect of diet with regard IBD is the issue of food allergies which can be a factor in the disease process.

Patients with IBD experience toxicity which results from a malfunctioning digestive system. Diarrhea is one indication of the body's attempt to detoxify itself. Often patients with IBD also experience disorders of body systems other than the digestive system. Detoxification heralds the start of healing and diet plays a key role in the detoxification process. Toxic foods and bowel irritants must be eliminated from the diet while foods that nourish the digestive system and other related systems must be introduced.

For health maintenance, disease prevention and treatment, it is very important to eat a balanced diet consisting of the correct foods. The Natural Medicine's approach to dietary therapy is far more complex than that of the Western nutritionist who may recommend a diet that is balanced in terms of its chemical properties e.g. carbohydrates, protein and fat. Natural Medicine, while also taking this into account, focuses on many other aspects of food e.g. its energy temperature (to warm up or cool down the body, not the cooking temperature), its taste (sweet, bitter, pungent, sour, salty), its smell and its appearance. And most importantly, its special effect on the internal organs (through meridians). Dietary the ray is individualized, depending on the patient's constitution and body condition. Most of IBD patients will be treated with cool foods as means of counterbalance the excess heat from the inflammation.

In Natural Medicine, the emphasis is towards a diet of vegetables and grains, rather than animal protein which should constitute no more than 20% of the diet. Some of the foods for IBD patients to avoid are chicken and turkey, dairy products, refined sugars, hot spices, alcohol, artificial colorings, and flavors.  

Yes, food allergies can certainly play a role in both the cause and exacerbation of IBD. From a Natural Medicine perspective, certain inflammation is the sign of an allergic response. In IBD, inflammation can be symptomatic of the body's allergic reaction to certain foods and its inability to metabolize these allergic substances. Regardless of whether major symptoms are present or not, certain foods such as sugar and hot spices will elicit an allergic reaction in the form of inflammation, thereby exacerbating the overall inflammatory process. Ongoing allergic response from the body will weaken the immune system. This makes the body increasingly vulnerable to further food allergies and perpetuates the allergic inflammatory cycle.

Reactions to foods vary from patient to patient, according to their body type and condition. Just because no symptoms are present does not mean that these foods are not causing the body harm. The body can get used to most toxic foods that are consumes on a regular basis and there is usually a cumulative effect which would manifest later symptomatically. Because there can be a delayed reaction, many people do not make the connection between the irritant and the allergic or inflammatory response, mistakenly thinking that they are having a reaction to something else that they have been exposed to more recently.

There are many causes of IBD, and emotional stress is one of them. Stress creates impact on both the digestive system and the immune system. This can contribute to the onset and relapse of the disease. Once a patient's symptomatic, stress can certainly exacerbate the symptoms and unfortunately the disease itself is the source of enormous stress. Gently exercise, meditation and counseling can be useful tools in alleviating or managing the stress.