Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a subtype of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, characterized by inflammation in the colon and rectum. While conventional therapies like biologics and immunosuppressants remain the cornerstone of treatment, many patients are turning to complementary strategies to support healing and manage symptoms more naturally. Unlike conventional drug therapy, natural treatments do not require a physician’s recommendation or prescription; however, we recommend discussing these options with your doctor before implementation to make sure they are right for you.
Natural Supplements for Ulcerative Colitis
There are many advantages to taking natural supplements with a condition such as UC or Crohn’s. Since IBD mainly affects the gastrointestinal tract, many patients experience malabsorption, or impaired take-up of nutrients into the body. Since many building blocks for healthy metabolism are received through diet, it is important to get enough vitamins and minerals to sustain energy levels, promote healing, and support overall health.
Magnesium
Magnesium plays an essential role in the body in activating proteins to regulate metabolism. In digestion, magnesium is especially important, as proteins in the GI tract break down food—therefore making sure that your body has this mineral in sufficient supply determines the success of digestive process, and may reduce the occurrence of abnormal bowel movements.
Iron
Iron, or in its bioavailable form, ferric (Fe3+), maintains proper erythropoiesis (red blood cell regeneration) in the body. Supplementing iron in the body may stave off fatigue, headaches, digestive issues, and promote healing and recovery. Generally, patients struggling to absorb nutrients, such as UC patients, are at risk to develop anemia due to struggling to take up iron in the digestive track. Poor absorption in the intestines, caused by chronic inflammation, imbalanced gut microbiota, or blood loss due to ulcers or rectal bleeding, is usually the culprit. Iron can be a useful supplement to decrease symptom onset caused by these issues.
Vitamins C, D3, B12, and K
Vitamins are essential nutrients that the body requires in small amounts but cannot produce in sufficient quantities. Normally obtained through diet, these vitamins may be poorly absorbed in ulcerative colitis due to impaired digestive function and chronic inflammation. Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits, supports immune modulation, while Vitamin D3 (commonly found in fish and poultry) helps suppress inappropriate autoimmune activity. Vitamin B12 is crucial for cellular repair and healing, and Vitamin K contributes to bone health and connective tissue integrity. Deficiencies in any of these can lead to fatigue, cramping, bloating, and digestive dysregulation, all symptoms featuring prominently in a UC flare-up.
The CurQD® Protocol
Evinature offers a protocol combining two herbs, curcumin and Qing Dai, to combat the deleterious effects of UC while strengthening gut wall integrity over time to improve absorption.
Clinical trials conducted with active ulcerative colitis patients taking CurQD® together with their medications saw a notable reduction in biomarkers of inflammation and symptom frequency in patients, with 50% of trial participants experiencing clinical remission.
Herbs and Botanical Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis
Thousands of years of human history have shown us the power of plants. Nature treats us to a variety of herbs that can treat symptoms and provide relief to patients. The benefit of natural treatment is that it can be used on its own, or best in conjunction with traditional medical treatments. That said, it is important to disclose any herbs or additional botanical treatments you are taking to your physician to make sure that your body is responding well and there are no cross-reactions between compounds in either treatment.
Curcumin for Ulcerative Colitis
Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric root used in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years to treat gut disorders due to its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Curcumin inhibits inflammatory pathways directly associated with IBD inflammation and has a marked regulatory effect on the gut microbiome, meaning it can shift the microbiome’s composition towards a healthier balance of gut bacteria. This improves the intestinal immune system, countering inflammation and digestive symptoms.
Studies on mild-to-moderate UC patients on curcumin show a rapidly accelerated response rate – even on patients failing pharmaceutical patients. Additionally, curcumin was reported to improve remission maintenance.
Qing Dai for Ulcerative Colitis
Qing Dai (Indigo Naturalis) is a plant better known for its blue-purple dyes. Chinese doctors have utilized its anti-inflammatory properties for thousands of years to treat a range of illnesses. Its active components, indigo and indirubin, activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway, which secretes anti-inflammatory signals and maintains homeostasis in the intestinal immune system.
UC patients taking QD showed clear mucosal healing directly related to this pathway, making QD a unique and extremely promising natural therapy for IBD. Unlike curcumin alone, a combination of curcumin with QD was found in a placebo-controlled trial to be effective in inducing remission and reducing all symptoms in patients with moderate-severe flare-ups, even those who had failed biologics or other advanced treatments.
Chamomile for Ulcerative Colitis
Chamomile is rich in phenolic compounds that act as antioxidants, with apigenin being its most prominent anti-inflammatory agent. Also found in celery, parsley, artichokes, and oregano, apigenin helps inhibit the release of TNF-alpha, a key driver of gut inflammation. A 2024 clinical review showed that chamomile with apigenin not only promotes intestinal healing but may also help prevent the development of precancerous cells in the colon. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, chamomile can aid in reducing the severity of inflammation in UC, and help prevent flare-ups.
Mastic Gum for Ulcerative Colitis
Mastic gum has a long history in traditional Greek medicine for treating digestive issues. It modulates the immune response to gut bacteria and offers antioxidant protection. Mastic gum also supports gut-brain communication, lowers LDL cholesterol, and promotes more efficient digestion, making it a supportive supplement for those with chronic gastrointestinal disorders.
Ginger for Ulcerative Colitis
Ginger is being actively researched for its therapeutic effects in autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, including Crohn’s disease. Preliminary findings suggest it reduces inflammation through mechanisms similar to NSAIDs, but without the associated gastrointestinal side effects. It also influences the gut microbiota–immune interface, helping to moderate hypersensitive immune responses in the digestive tract.
Green Tea for Ulcerative Colitis
Green tea is high in polyphenols with powerful anti-inflammatory properties supporting gut health and the growth of beneficial bacteria. It may also help inhibit the growth of pathogenic microbes from triggering flare-ups. However, due to its caffeine content, green tea should be consumed in moderation, as excessive intake may irritate the gut and worsen symptoms.
Lifestyle for UC
UC directly impacts the digestive system. Therefore, dietary habits play a critical role in symptom management.
Staying hydrated, maintaining a balanced diet, and avoiding known trigger foods can help extend remission periods. A food journal may be a helpful tool for identifying individual triggers and providing insights for healthcare consultations.
Exercise is another important component in UC management. Moderate physical activity supports circulation, mood regulation, and digestion. However, patients should be mindful of their energy levels, as excessive exercise could provoke symptoms. Finding a sustainable routine tailored to personal tolerance is key.
Even with optimal diet and exercise habits, UC flare-ups may still occur due to the condition’s unpredictable nature. Nonetheless, healthy lifestyle practices can lessen symptom severity and improve overall quality of life.
Probiotics Vs Prebiotics
Probiotics are live, “beneficial” bacteria that sustain a balanced gut microbiome, while prebiotics contain materials to feed these microbes and help them grow. Together, they contribute to improved digestive health and may lower the risk of infection-driven flare-ups in IBD patients. A diverse, stable microbiome strengthens the gut lining, assists with digestion, and helps regulate inflammation.
It is especially important to discuss the use of probiotics or prebiotics with your doctor before use, as overgrowth of bacteria can lead to infection and worsening of symptoms. Making sure that the probiotics are high quality, dosed properly, and controlled for potential pathogenic factors is essential to retain gut health.
Stress Management for UC
The peripheral nervous system plays an essential role in both digestion and immune response. When in a relaxed, or “rest-and-digest” state, digestion is enhanced. Managing stress is therefore essential for controlling UC symptoms and maintaining gut homeostasis.
Meditation can trigger this calming state by slowing breathing and upregulating the brain-gut axis to promote proper digestion. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) also helps patients reframe negative thoughts, and studies demonstrate how effective this treatment can be for decreasing stress. Journaling can reduce cortisol levels by offloading mental stress, thereby decreasing inflammatory triggers in the gut.
Conventional Medical Approaches
Conventional medicine uses diagnostic tools to identify and track disease progression and response to treatment. First-line therapies typically include anti-inflammatory medications, immunosuppressants, and biologics, which are designed to reduce immune system overactivity and promote mucosal healing.
In cases of severe disease or complications, surgical intervention may be necessary to remove affected portions of the gastrointestinal tract. While surgery is generally a last resort, it can dramatically improve symptoms and restore quality of life for patients who do not respond to medication.
Evinature’s Tips and Recommendations
With every treatment, conventional or natural in origin, it is important to receive a medical professional’s expertise and experience to know when and how to implement it. What works for one person may not work for another, and every case of IBD is individual; therefore speak to your doctor before taking a natural supplement or adding another component to your treatment.
For example, despite its potency, Qing Dai has been known to cause bloating, heartburn, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headaches, and nausea. Moreover, its dosing must be carefully tailored so as not to overwhelm the body while maintaining its efficacy.
Due to these side effects and treatment considerations, it’s important to take a clinically proven dose for your specific level of inflammation and to consult with your doctor so they can monitor your condition throughout treatment.
If you’re interested in taking curcumin or Qing Dai for UC, it’s best to take our free online assessment, which will evaluate your disease activity and offer the safest, most effective protocol and suitable dosing for your individual needs.
Summer Pitocchelli-Schwartzman
