Teri, I'm so sorry about your daughter's health, but rest assured there are herbal treatments that can help alleviate the symptoms.

Here is an excerpt:

Herbs that may be helpful: Doctors sometimes use a combination of herbs to soothe inflammation throughout the digestive tract. One formula contains marshmallow, slippery elm, cranesbill, and several other herbs. Marshmallow and slippery elm are mucilaginous plants that help soothe inflamed tissues. Cranesbill is an astringent. Clinical trials using this combination have not been conducted.

A variety of anti-inflammatory herbs historically have been recommended by doctors for people with Crohn’s disease. These include yarrow, chamomile, licorice, and aloe juice. Cathartic preparations of aloe should be avoided. No research has been conducted to validate the use of these herbs for Crohn’s disease.

Tannin-containing herbs may be helpful to decrease diarrhea during acute flare-ups and have been used for this purpose in traditional medicine. A preliminary trial using isolated tannins in the course of usual drug therapy for Crohn’s disease found them to be more effective for reducing diarrhea than was no additional treatment. Tannin-containing herbs of potential benefit include agrimony (Agrimonia spp.), green tea, oak, witch hazel, and cranesbill. Use of such herbs should be discontinued before the diarrhea is completely resolved; otherwise the disease may be aggravated.

** excerpt from http://www.mycustompak.com/healthNotes/Concern/Crohns.htm#Herb-Options

From "Herbs for Health and Healing" by Kathi Keville states that peppermint essential oil capsules are especially effective in treating IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).

Peppermint tea would do as well. Some of the best herbs to soothe the bowels, improve immunity and help prevent food allergies at the same time are chamomile, marshmallow, and licorice. Chamomile and licorice have been found to lower the risk of devloping colitis.

Some bowel disorders, such as ulcerative colitis, can even result in bleeding, which in turn can cause anemia. Herbalists have found that yellow dock helps increase iron levels and also tones the intenstinal lining and slows bleeding.

If you're interested, here is a formula to benefit bowel disorders:

1 tsp wild yam root
1/2 tsp yellow dock root
1 qt water
1 tsp peppermint leaf
1/2 tsp each: marshmallow root, chamomile flower, echinacea root, and fennel seed.

Add wild yam and yellow dock to the water in a saucepan, bring to a simmer and add other herbs. Steep for about 15 min then strain. Drink at least 2 cups daily.

To enhance the effectiveness, you can add carrot and celery juice to this tea.

I hope that helps.

[ April 11, 2003, 10:10 AM: Message edited by: Vicki M. Taylor ]