Homeopathy Treatments of Crohn's Disease

Crohn's Disease is a chronic inflammation in the digestive tract. It usually occurs in the small intestines and is difficult to treat using only medications. Homeopathy will not cure Crohn's Disease but it can relieve the pain and discomfort of some of the symptoms.

What is Homeopathy?

• Homeopathy is an alternative medicine that treats patients by applying a small amount of what--in larger doses--is causing the symptoms of a patient's disease. The mixtures are prepared by a homeopath who examines the various symptoms the patient is having and puts together the mixture.

How a Homeopath Decides on the Mixture

• Though a homeopath will consider a patient's symptoms before prescribing a homeopathic mixture, he also will consider other variables. Such variables include what caused the illness and why the patient is showing some symptoms and not others. The homeopath will also look at the sources of stress in a patient and consider whether the disease might be psychosomatic. The goal is to cure the patient not the disease.

Mercurius

• If a patient is experiencing hot and cold flashes, perspiring a lot and thirsty, a homeopath may give the patient mercurius. It is for the above symptoms and if a patient has foul-smelling diarrhea. Mercurius is also for patients who feel exhausted after bowel movements and don't feel as if they have finished.

Podophyllum

• When diarrhea is gushing and gets worse after eating or drinking, podophyllum may be the remedy. Patients might also feel exhausted after bowel movements and have painful cramps in their calves and feet.

Veratrum Album

• Veratrum album is used for patients with watery diarrhea that worsens after eating fruit, stomach cramps, bloating, vomiting, exhaustion and chills. Patients will crave cold drinks.

Other Homeopathic Remedies

• Argentum nitricum can help patients with flatulence and diarrhea. Ignatia is for patients who have bowel problems when they are under stress. Raphanus niger is given to patients with bloating problems.

Cautions About Homeopathy

• Because homeopathy's effectiveness is still in dispute, you should not forgo a traditional therapy for homeopathic treatment. Rather you should look to use homeopathy as a supplement to whatever treatment program your doctor recommends. You should also discuss both treatments with both your doctor and your homeopath.