Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease which typically affects only the large intestine, and usually involves only the inner layers (mucosa and sub-mucosa) in a continuous manner. This is unlike Crohn’s disease which may affect any part of the gastro-intestinal tract, has a non-continuous spread (skip lesions), and involves the entire depth of the intestinal wall. UC has many causative factors including genetics, immune system reactions, drug usage (mostly pain killers and oral contraceptives), environmental factors, stress, smoking, and consumption of milk products. Common symptoms include pain in the lower abdomen, frequent motions, mucus discharge, and rectal bleed. Patients with severe involvement may have fever, purulent rectal discharge, weight loss, and extra-colonic manifestations.

The modern (Allopathic) management of this condition is based upon the severity at presentation. Mild disease confined to the rectum is treated with topical Mesalazine suppository; left sided colonic disease is treated with Mesalazine suppository as well as oral administration of the same drug. Patients who do not respond well to this treatment are also treated with oral steroids, including budesonide. Patients who achieve remission are maintained on a once-a-day oral drug schedule. Patients with severe disease may need to be hospitalized and treated with intravenous steroids and immune suppressant drugs, in addition to the treatment mentioned above. Surgery may be indicated for a select few patients.

Most patients may require treatment on a long-term basis or even life-long. People affected with this condition usually have an increased mortality, either due to the condition, or as a result of side effects of ongoing treatment. There is a risk of long term complications as well as an increased risk of cancer. Elderly patients are more vulnerable to an increase in mortality.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment can be judiciously used to treat inflammation and ulceration in the intestines. Herbal medicines treat multi-factorial causes like dysfunctional immunity, stress, environmental toxins, and food allergies, and help in speedy recovery of the lesions. Ayurvedic treatment scores positively over modern treatment on all fronts by treating the condition comprehensively and being completely safe in the long run, even though being used in high doses and for prolonged periods. Regular treatment for about four to six months is usually sufficient to bring about a significant healing of the inflammation and ulceration in the intestines. Herbal medicines also help in the digestion and proper assimilation of food; this helps in gradually normalizing immune reactions related to UC.

Those individuals who do not respond satisfactorily to oral treatment, can be given additional, specialized treatment procedures like medicated enemas. One or several courses of this treatment modality may be required to bring about a complete remission of UC. A complete course of symptomatic treatment as well as immunomodulation treatment helps in preventing further recurrences. Overall, a patient with severe UC may require treatment for about twelve to eighteen months, in order to be completely cured of this condition.