GI Care (UC)™

TCM herbal formula for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease — anti-inflammatory; antispasmodic; antibiotic (antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal); gastroprotective; antidiarrheal; antidotal; dispels damp-heat in the Intestines; relieves diarrhea; disperses stagnation and detoxifies; tonifies yin

⚠️ Contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing. Contraindicated in cases of diarrhea due to Spleen qi deficiency or Kidney yang deficiency. Not appropriate for certain complications such as toxic colitis, toxic megacolon, massive hemorrhage, free perforation, or fulminating toxic colitis — surgical intervention may be necessary. Certain over-the-counter or prescription antidiarrheal drugs may worsen the condition and create a toxic megacolon — do not take unless supervised by a qualified health care provider.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Ulcerative colitis

* Crohn's disease

* Other inflammatory bowel disease: diverticulitis, fistula, colitis

* Chronic diarrhea with mucus, pus and blood, feeling of incomplete evacuation, and abdominal cramps

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, is characterized by chronic inflammation affecting various parts of the gastrointestinal tract. These are chronic, non-specific, inflammatory, ulcerative diseases with no known etiology. Possible risk factors include immunological factors, infectious agents (bacteria, virus, amoeba), dietary factors (chemicals and drugs), and psychosomatic factors. They usually occur between ages 14–24 or 50–70. Clinical presentation begins with gradual onset of diarrhea with mucus and blood, with symptomatic and asymptomatic intervals. Patients may also experience tenesmus and left lower quadrant pain and cramps. In TCM, these conditions are diagnosed as disharmony between the Spleen/Stomach and the Liver — Liver qi stagnation overacts on the Spleen and Stomach, impairing transformation and transportation of food; over time, dampness combines with heat to lodge in the Large Intestine, causing diarrhea with inflammation; prolonged diarrhea and loss of fluids also leads to yin deficiency.

Formula distinction: GI Care (UC) is designed for chronic ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease without active infection — it contains herbs that generate new tissue and repair the normal flora of the intestines. GI Care II is designed for active infection and inflammation of the intestines due to improper food intake, using purgative herbs such as Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) to purge bacteria from the intestines.

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis / Coptis Rhizome / Goldthread): dispels damp-heat in the Intestines; broad-spectrum antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal; anti-inflammatory with potency comparable to dexamethasone for acute and chronic inflammation; 100 patients with GI inflammation — all improved with Huang Lian + Dou Kou; over 1,000 patients with bacterial dysentery treated with excellent results — marked effectiveness, short treatment duration, low side effects

— Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba / White Peony Root): anti-inflammatory — suppresses inflammation; antispasmodic — relieves intestinal spasms and cramps; antibacterial

— Hou Po (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis / Magnolia Bark): regulates qi in the abdomen — relieves bloating, distension, and pain; anti-inflammatory — NF-κB inhibition via magnolol and honokiol; antispasmodic — magnolol and honokiol relieve intestinal spasms; antibacterial

— Ma Chi Xian (Herba Portulacae / Purslane / Portulaca): dispels damp-heat in the Intestines; antibacterial — 403 patients with chronic bacterial dysentery: 83.62% effective; 331 patients with acute bacterial dysentery: 89.12% effective

— Shi Liu Pi (Pericarpium Granati / Pomegranate Peel): antidiarrheal; antibacterial; gastroprotective — protects stomach from alcohol-, indomethacin-, and aspirin-induced ulcers by increasing pH and mucus secretion; binds intestines; stops diarrhea; dispels pus; stops bleeding; generates new tissue

— Wu Bei Zi (Galla Chinensis / Chinese Gall / Gallnut): marked antidiarrheal effect — suppresses diarrhea due to enterotoxigenic E. coli (the most frequently isolated enteropathogen, accounting for ~210 million diarrhea episodes annually); binds intestines; stops diarrhea; dispels pus; stops bleeding; generates new tissue

— Shan Zha Tan (Fructus Crataegi Carbonisatum / Charred Hawthorn): 100 patients with acute bacterial enteritis — satisfactory results; induces gastric acid production; facilitates digestion and absorption; consolidates stool; treats diarrhea; stops bleeding

— Shan Yao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae / Dioscorea / Chinese Yam): nourishes Spleen yin; relieves diarrhea; treats indigestion — 101 infants with indigestion and related complications effectively treated; reduces stress of the intestines

— Mai Ya (Fructus Hordei Germinatus / Barley Sprout / Malt): promotes digestion; increases gastric emptying time and intestinal peristalsis; stops bleeding

— Nan Sha Shen (Radix Adenophorae / Adenophora / Ladybell Root): nourishes yin; dries dampness

— Di Yu Tan (Radix Sanguisorbae Carbonisatum / Charred Sanguisorba / Charred Burnet Root): binds intestines; stops diarrhea; dispels pus; stops bleeding; generates new tissue

— Chun Pi (Cortex Ailanthi / Ailanthus Bark / Tree of Heaven): binds intestines; stops diarrhea; dispels pus; stops bleeding; generates new tissue

— Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae / Saposhnikovia / Siler): stops diarrhea; relieves pain; relieves abdominal and intestinal spasms and cramps; facilitates elimination of heavy metals that may irritate the bowel and cause intestinal inflammation

— Yi Yi Ren (Semen Coicis / Coix / Job's Tears): treats intestinal abscess; dispels pus and mucus from stool; dries dampness; enters Lung — connected to Large Intestine via zang fu relationship; enhances Lung's ability to metabolize water and prevent dampness accumulation in the Large Intestine

— Dong Gua Zi (Semen Benincasae / Winter Melon Seed / Benincasa): treats intestinal abscess; dispels pus and mucus from stool; dries dampness; enters Lung — connected to Large Intestine via zang fu relationship

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Anti-inflammatory — Huang Lian + Huang Bo (dexamethasone-comparable, acute and chronic); Bai Shao (total glucosides, cytokine signaling); Hou Po (NF-κB inhibition, magnolol, honokiol)

* Antispasmodic — Bai Shao (intestinal spasms, cramps); Hou Po (magnolol, honokiol, guinea pig ileum); Fang Feng (abdominal and intestinal spasms)

* Antibiotic (antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal) — Huang Lian (broad spectrum, 1,000+ dysentery patients); Ma Chi Xian (83–89% dysentery); Bai Shao, Hou Po, Shi Liu Pi (antibacterial)

* Antidiarrheal — Wu Bei Zi (enterotoxigenic E. coli, 210M episodes/year); Shan Yao + Shan Zha (consolidate stool); Shi Liu Pi, Di Yu Tan, Chun Pi (bind intestines)

* Gastroprotective / digestive — Shi Liu Pi (pH↑, mucus secretion↑, ulcer protection); Shan Yao (indigestion, intestinal stress↓); Mai Ya (gastric emptying↑, peristalsis↑); Shan Zha (gastric acid↑)

* Antidotal / detoxifying — Fang Feng (heavy metal elimination); Huang Lian (toxin clearance)

* Hemostatic — Di Yu Tan, Chun Pi, Shi Liu Pi, Wu Bei Zi, Shan Zha Tan, Mai Ya (stop bleeding, generate new tissue)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Dispels damp-heat in the Intestines (Huang Lian, Ma Chi Xian)

* Relieves diarrhea; binds intestines (Wu Bei Zi, Shi Liu Pi, Di Yu Tan, Chun Pi, Shan Yao, Shan Zha Tan)

* Disperses stagnation and detoxifies (Fang Feng, Huang Lian)

* Dispels pus and mucus; treats intestinal abscess (Yi Yi Ren, Dong Gua Zi, Wu Bei Zi)

* Regulates qi; relieves bloating and distension (Hou Po)

* Relieves abdominal spasms and pain (Bai Shao, Fang Feng)

* Tonifies yin; nourishes Spleen yin (Nan Sha Shen, Shan Yao)

* Stops bleeding; generates new tissue (Di Yu Tan, Chun Pi, Shi Liu Pi, Shan Zha Tan)

DOSAGE

Standard: 3–4 capsules three times daily on an empty stomach with warm water. In acute conditions, dosage may be increased up to 8–10 capsules three times daily for no more than four days or until symptoms subside. After relief of symptoms, reduce to 3–4 capsules daily. For prevention or maintenance, take 2 capsules daily.

Supplementary formulas: Bleeding — add Notoginseng 9. Diverticulitis and fistula — add Resolve (AI) and Astringent Complex. Burning diarrhea with tenesmus — add GI Care II. Hemorrhoids — add GI Care (HMR). Stress-related UC or Crohn's — add Calm or Calm (ES). Bloating — add GI Harmony. Constipation — add Gentle Lax (Deficient). Low-grade or night fever — add Balance (Heat). Excess heat or fever — add Gardenia Complex. Perirectal abscesses with fever — add Resolve (AI) and Herbal ABX. Intestinal spasms or abdominal cramping — add Flex (SC). Anemia — add Schisandra ZZZ. Excessive damp/phlegm — add Pinellia Complex. Severe inflammation — combine with Astringent Complex. Chronic diarrhea with overall weakness and deficiency — add Imperial Tonic. Chronic diarrhea with qi deficiency (weight loss, malaise, fatigue, poor appetite) — add GI Tonic (take when symptoms are in remission or under control).

Nutrition: Encourage consumption of apricots, winter melon, asparagus, avocados, bananas, broccoli, brown rice, dried fruit, figs, salmon, garlic, green leafy vegetables, soy products, and yogurt. Avoid all foods containing sugar (cake, dessert, candy, chocolate, canned juice, soft drinks, caffeine, stevia, agave, xylitol, corn syrup). Avoid fermented foods (cheese, fermented tofu). Avoid dairy (milk, cream, yogurt, cheese, ice cream). Avoid warm/hot natured foods that damage qi and yin: mango, durian, coffee, alcohol, energy drinks, and spicy/pungent/aromatic vegetables (pepper, garlic, onions, basil, rosemary, cumin, fennel, anise, leeks, chives, scallions, thyme, saffron, wormwood, mustard, chili pepper, wasabi). Avoid artificial coloring. Minimize meat; avoid processed meats (lunch meats, hot dogs, sausages contain nitrites associated with inflammation).

Tao of Nutrition — Diarrhea (Dr. Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease): Recommended foods: garlic, black pepper, blueberries, cinnamon, raspberry leaves, lotus seeds, burned rice, yams, sweet potatoes, fresh fig leaves, peas, buckwheat, litchi, guava peel, apple, charcoaled bread, ginger, pearl barley, basil, and unripe prunes. Cook rice porridge with lotus seed and yam or with barley. Cook rice porridge with ginger and black pepper. Eat sweet rice porridge or burnt rice/bread. Take two tablespoons of dried apples three times daily on an empty stomach with warm water. Drink black tea. Bake two bulbs of garlic until black, boil in water, and drink the tea. Make tea from guava peel; from ginger, fennel, basil, and Chinese black dates; from unripe prunes; or from dried litchi and Chinese black dates. Avoid cold, raw foods, most fruits, juices, and overeating. Gastritis and colitis: drink diluted lotus root juice.

Lifestyle: Avoid drugs and chemicals that cause or aggravate UC and Crohn's disease — the list of offending substances may differ for every patient. Bed rest and relaxation are helpful for short- and long-term recovery.

CASE STUDIES

— 62-year-old female (S.C.): Chronic intestinal pain, blood in stool, rectal bleeding; previously hospitalized for blood clot in leg — hemoglobin decreased, two pints of blood infused, weight dropped from 90 to 79 lbs, increased stroke risk; peripheral neuropathy, dorsal foot edema, hair loss, insomnia; damp-heat in Intestines, Kidney deficiency, blood stasis in lower jiao; ulcerative colitis. GI Care (UC) 4 capsules 3x/day (continued Remicade, iron, Pepcid). Result at 1 month: colon saved — no longer needed colostomy; bowel movements decreased from 12 to 2 per day; bleeding stopped within 2 weeks; stools went from very watery to full formed and soft.

— 49-year-old female: Chronic ulcerative colitis, epigastric and abdominal pain, bloody stool; 2–3 bowel movements per day, constantly tired; dark purple tongue with thick greasy yellow coat, deep slippery pulse; damp-heat and toxins in Large Intestine; previous treatments effective but bloody stools returned upon discontinuation. GI Care (UC) for 30 days. Result: significant improvement of all symptoms; bowel movement returned to normal without blood. Follow-up 1 year later: remained healthy with no relapse.

Related Reading

Also see: GI Care II – for active GI infection and inflammation | GI Care (HMR) – for hemorrhoids | GI Harmony – for bloating and gas | GI Tonic – for Spleen qi deficiency and chronic digestive weakness | Resolve (AI) – for diverticulitis and fistula | Astringent Complex – for severe inflammation | Notoginseng 9 – for GI bleeding | Calm – for stress-related IBD | Herbal ABX – for perirectal abscess and infection | Digestive Health & GI Support Collection.