Ulcerative Colitis

Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
Zhou Duan Xian used modified Shen Ling Bai Zhu San to treat nonspecific chronic colitis. This formula contains: Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Bai Zhu (Atractylode), Huang Qi (Astragalus Root), Fu Ling (Poria), Shan Yao (Dioscorea), Yi Ren (Coix), Chen Pi (Citrus), Zhi Gan Cao (process Licorice), Bai Bian Dou (Dolichos), and Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit). In moderate hypofunction of the spleen, Huang Qi's quantity was increased, and Pao Jiang (processed Ginger), Wu Zhu (Evodia), Lian Rou (Lotus Seed), etc. were added. For yang deficiency of the spleen and the kidney, the following herbs were added, Fu Zi (Aconite), Bu Gu Zhi (Psoralea), Rou Dou Kou (semen Myristicae), etc. For hyperactivity of the liver with deficiency of the spleen, the following herbs were added Bai Shao (White Peony Root), Fang Feng (Siler), Mu Xiang (Saussurea), etc. For deficiency in the spleen with damp heat, the following herbs were added: Chao Bai Shao (cooked White Peony Root), Fang Feng (Siler), Mu Xiang (Saussurea), etc. For retention in the intestines of fluid pathogens, Yi Ren was replaced by Chao Yi Ren (cooked Coix), and Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twigs) and Ze Xie (Alisma) etc. were added. One dose of the decoction was taken every day. 15 days constituted one course of treatment. The results showed that among 38 cases, 28 were resolved, 8 had improved, and 2 were unchanged. The total effectiveness rate of the study was 94.7%.(2)

Bu Pi Yi Chang Wan
Ulcerative colitis was treated with Bu Pi Yi Chang Wan (invigorating the spleen to benefit the intestine) combined with a drip into the rectum. The formula was taken 6g three times a day and was continued for 30 days as one course of treatment and treated for 3 courses. This was combined with an endo-rectal drip of modified Kui Jie Chang Tang (decoction for ulcerative colitis) once daily. This formula consisted of: Di Yu (Sanguisorba), Huang Bo (Phellodendron), Bai Jiang Cao (Thlaspi), Bai Hua She She Cao (Oldenlandia), Shi Cang Pu (Grassleaved Sweetflag Rhizome), Xi Lei San (a topical herbal powder for ulceration), and Bai Ji Fen (White Tribulus powder). 50 cases were treated. In another group of 50 cases, Western medicine was used for comparison. The drugs used were prednisone 15g for 3 months, combined with endo-rectal dripping of 0.5% metronidazole once per day (150ml in which 2.5g sulfasalazineare added). 2 weeks comprised 1 course of treatment. 4 courses were used in total. In the treatment and comparison groups, the results were, respectively: full recovery in 27, 25 cases; marked effectiveness in 20, 5 cases; and improvement in 5, 8 cases. The clinical effective rate of the study was 90%, and the therapeutic rate was 54%. The Chinese herbal group was markedly superior to the Western drug group in its clinical effectiveness (P<0.01).(3)

Gu Ben Qing Zao Tang
In another study, ulcerative colitis was treated with Gu Ben Qing Zao Tang (a decoction of enforcing foundation to clearing dryness). Patients were divided randomly into 68 treatment cases and a control group of 40 cases. The formula used contained Huang Qi (Astragalus Root), Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Bai Zhu (Atractylode), Fu Ling (Poria), Pao Jiang (processed Ginger), Bai Tou Weng (Pulsatilla Root), Chao Huang Bo (Phellodendron), Xian Lin Pi (Epimedium), Bai Hua She She Cao (Oldenlandia), and Gan Cao (Licorice). Modifications were made according to the patients' symptoms. The control group used sulfasalazine at 1g/day in 4 individual doses for 4 weeks, and then 1g two times a day. In severe cases, prednisone (40mg/day) was added. The results for both the treatment and the control groups were: clinical recovery occurred in 25:10 cases; a significant effect was seen in: 32:17 cases; improvement was seen in: 5:4 cases; and no effect was seen in: 6:9 cases. The total effectiveness rates of the study were 91.2%, and 77.5% respectively (P<0.05).(4)

Weng Yu Tang
Chronic nonspecific ulcerative colitis was treated with Weng Yu Tang. The formula consisted of Bai Tou Weng (Pulsatilla Root), Di Yu (Sanguisorba), Chi Shi Zhi (Holloysitum Rubrum), Bai Shao (White Peony Root), Ge Gen (Pueraria), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Wei Rou Dou (Myristicae), Mu Xiang (Saussurea), and Gan Cao (Licorice). Modifications were made according to the patients' symptoms. It was taken once a day before a meal. 15 consecutive days constituted one course of treatment. After 2-4 courses, of the 52 cases that had been treated, 20 were resolved, 27 had improved, and 5 had shown no effect. The total effectiveness rate of the study was 93%.(5)

Hai's Ulcerative Colitis Formula
Chronic nonspecific ulcerative colitis was treated with a fluid, which invigorates the intestine and was combined with an intestine-clearing decoction. 58 cases were used in the treatment group. Yi Chang Yin (decoction for invigorating the intestine) is composed of Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Yun Ling (Siler), Wu Mei (Mume), Huang Qi (Astragalus Root), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Rou Dou Kou (Common Nutmeg Seed), and Qing Mu Xiang (Thickleaf Vladimiria Root). The formula was modified according to the patients' symptoms. One dose of the decoction was taken daily. A Qing Chang Tang (decoction for clearing intestines) decoction used the following herbs: Bai Tou Weng (Pulsatilla Root), Ku Shen (Sophora Root), Huai Hua (Sophora), Bai Ji (White Tribulus), Di Yu (Sanguisorba), Bai Jiang Cao (Thlaspi), and San Qi Fen (Notoginseng). The daily dosage was 100 ml for a retention enema 1-2 hours before bedtime. 24 cases in the control group were treated with 0.5g three times a day combined with a retention enema before bedtime by 100 ml saline containing hydrocortisone 50mg and 2% procaine 2ml. Four weeks was considered as 1 course of treatment in both groups. In the treatment and the control groups respectively, the results showed that after 3 courses of treatment, 25, 0 cases were resolved, 21, 4 cases were marked effective; 8, 8 cases had improved; and 4, 7 cases were ineffective. The total effectiveness rate of this study was 93.1% and 70.9% (P<0.01).(6)

Acupuncture was combined with box-moxibustion for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. The points selected were: Ming Men (Du4), Guan Yuan (Ren 4), Qi Hai (Ren 6), Tian Shu (S 25), Zu San Li (S 36), and Shang Ju Xu (S 37). Patients lied in supine position with an empty bladder. Routine antiseptics were used locally. The needle (No28, 1.5-2 cun) was inserted rapidly with the reinforcement method. The needle sensation in Guan Yuan (Ren 4) radiated to the lower abdomen. The needle was retained for 20 minutes after the needle sensation was achieved. After pulling out the needle, it was inserted into Ming Men (Du 4) 0.8 cun deep. Reinforcement manipulation was used on this point and the needle was pulled out after the needle sensation was achieved. Lastly, warm box-moxibustion was applied on the points Guan Yuan (Ren 4), Qi Hai (Ren 6), Tian Shu (S 25), and Ming Men (Du 4) for 20 minutes. This treatment session was conducted once for 10 days with a 5-day interval between each session. Among the 32 cases that were treated, 26 cases were resolved, 5 cases had improved, and 1 case demonstrated no effects.(8)