My husband has Crohn's and I have Ulcerative colitis (just dx'd) - he has had tremendous succcess with acupuncture and Chinese herbs - Dr. is American born Chinese M.D. and has studied both here and China. I, too, was just saved from surgery by the same man and another of his "team."

We are so lucky he lives here in Chicago. Diet is also critical. When bowel is irritated - eat only Chongee rice - very soothing and offers nutritition - it is known as the "Chinese IV" - 1 cup rice to 12 cups water - leave in slow cooker for 4-6 hours.

When bowel can accept something a little stronger (not having blood or diarrhea anymore) try barley cereal - also cooked in slow cooker til very very "tame" - VERY low residue!

Can also try millet this way - remember it must be cooked for HOURS so as not to irritate – yet still offer some fibre. Drink nothing cold. NO SUGAR!!! Sip on hot water all day.

Hope this helps. Beth
P.S.. As your bowel heals (gradually, of course) you can move up to a plate of very, very steamed vegetables and perhaps, even a baked apple (very mushy) with NO skin!

This plan should get you over the hump and onto a more even keel. Its been working very well for me for the past 3 weeks. I do supplement it with a little udon rice noodle soup from my local vegetarian Japanese resturant - its very good and is one of those nurturing type foods that makes you feel good inside, too. I go for treatments 2 x per week and have my herbs 3 x a day - in fact I'm due for some right now. Hope this helps.

from A Novel Treatment for Fibromyalgia Improves Clinical Outcomes in a Community Based Study "Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain." Vol 6(2) 1998.

This is a diet that is said to heal the body of many diseases. The diet basically shows what humans should be eating according to nature. This is a vegetarian approach towards creating an accurate ph of the body which will allow the body to heal itself of almost anything. Please note that I recommend that Crohn's patients be careful of eating even raw carrots and celery which are very hard on the colon