Crohn’s disease - Wokingham, Berkshire

On this page

1. What is Crohn’s disease?
2. Symptoms of Crohn’s disease
3. Causes of Crohn’s disease
4. Crohn’s disease in traditional Chinese medicine
5. Chinese herbal medicine for Crohn’s disease
6. Acupuncture and moxibustion for Crohn’s disease
7. Self-care for Crohn’s disease
8. Commonly asked questions
9. References

1. What is Crohn’s disease?

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus, though it most commonly affects the end of the small intestine (the ileum) and the beginning of the large intestine. Like ulcerative colitis, it follows a relapsing and remitting course, but it is often considered more complex and unpredictable because it involves inflammation that penetrates all layers of the bowel wall and can affect multiple, discontinuous segments of the digestive tract. Around 115,000 people in the UK live with Crohn’s disease, and prevalence has been rising for decades. Conventional medicine offers important treatments but no cure, leaving many patients seeking complementary approaches that can help manage symptoms, extend remission and improve quality of life.

Chinese herbal medicine, often combined with acupuncture and moxibustion, has a long tradition of treating inflammatory bowel conditions and is supported by a growing body of clinical research. It is particularly valuable for patients who have not responded fully to conventional treatment, those who experience significant side effects from medication, and those looking to reduce flare frequency and maintain remission over the longer term.

I treat Crohn’s disease at my clinics in Wokingham, Berkshire and offer online herbal consultations for patients who cannot attend in person — particularly helpful for those who find travelling difficult during a flare.

2. Symptoms of Crohn’s disease

The symptoms of Crohn’s disease vary considerably depending on which part of the gastrointestinal tract is affected and how deep the inflammation penetrates. The most common include:

1. Persistent diarrhoea — often urgent, sometimes containing blood or mucus, which can be severely disruptive to daily life
2. Abdominal pain and cramping — typically in the lower right abdomen, though the location depends on which section of the bowel is affected
3. Fatigue — often severe, driven by the body’s ongoing inflammatory response, anaemia, malabsorption and disturbed sleep
4. Weight loss and malnutrition — reduced appetite, malabsorption and the metabolic demands of chronic inflammation combine to cause unintentional weight loss and nutritional deficiencies
5. Mouth ulcers — aphthous ulcers in the mouth are a common extra-intestinal feature of Crohn’s disease
6. Perianal disease — fistulas, abscesses and skin tags around the anus are a significant feature in some patients and can cause considerable distress and discomfort
7. Fever and general malaise — low-grade fever and a general feeling of being unwell are common during active flares
8. Joint pain, skin and eye problems — extra-intestinal manifestations affecting joints, skin and eyes occur in a significant proportion of patients
9. Psychological impact — the chronic, unpredictable nature of Crohn’s is associated with high rates of anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance

Because Crohn’s can affect any part of the digestive tract and involves transmural (full-thickness) inflammation, serious complications including strictures (narrowings), fistulas (abnormal channels between the bowel and other structures) and abscesses can develop over time. Around 50% of people with Crohn’s disease require surgery at some point in their lifetime, often more than once.

3. Causes of Crohn’s disease

Like ulcerative colitis, the precise cause of Crohn’s disease is not fully understood. It is thought to involve a dysregulated immune response in genetically susceptible individuals, triggered and perpetuated by environmental factors including diet, gut microbiome imbalance (dysbiosis), stress, smoking and exposure to certain infections or medications in early life. The dramatic rise in Crohn’s disease prevalence in westernised countries over recent decades strongly suggests that modern diet, antibiotic use and reduced microbial diversity are significant environmental drivers.

Stress plays a well-documented role in both triggering flares and worsening disease activity, acting through the gut-brain axis to increase intestinal permeability, alter the gut microbiome and promote inflammatory cytokine production.

4. Crohn’s disease in traditional Chinese medicine

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Crohn’s disease overlaps with the classical categories of Li Ji (dysentery-like disorders) and Fu Tong (abdominal pain). The condition is understood through pattern differentiation, and most patients present with a combination of patterns that shifts over the course of the disease:

Damp heat in the intestines

The dominant pattern during active flares. Diarrhoea containing blood or mucus, abdominal pain, a burning sensation, urgency, fever and a yellow greasy tongue coating characterise this pattern. The bowel is inflamed and overwhelmed with heat and toxic dampness that must be cleared before the underlying deficiency can be addressed.

Spleen and Stomach deficiency with cold

More commonly seen in chronic or remission-phase Crohn’s. Loose stools, fatigue, poor appetite, bloating, cold extremities and a pale tongue indicate that the digestive fire is insufficient to properly process food and fluids. This is a central pattern requiring sustained strengthening of Spleen and Stomach Qi.

Liver Qi stagnation invading the Spleen

Where emotional stress, frustration and unresolved tension cause the Liver to disrupt Spleen function, producing cramping, alternating bowel habits and symptoms that worsen clearly with emotional distress. Many patients recognise this pattern in the relationship between their stress levels and their flares.

Blood stasis in the intestines

Seen in more complex or long-standing Crohn’s, particularly where fistula formation, stricturing or fixed abdominal pain are present. Chronic inflammation has caused stagnation of blood in the intestinal vessels, requiring treatment that moves blood and resolves stasis alongside the primary inflammatory treatment.

Kidney Yang deficiency

Present in long-standing or severe cases. Early morning diarrhoea, cold lower back and abdomen, profound fatigue and a deep constitutional weakness indicate that the warming, energising function of the Kidney has become depleted. Warming and tonifying Kidney Yang is essential in this pattern.

5. Chinese herbal medicine for Crohn’s disease

Chinese herbal medicine addresses Crohn’s disease by clearing intestinal inflammation during active flares, restoring the integrity of the gut lining, regulating the immune system, improving the composition of the gut microbiome and rebuilding the constitutional weakness that makes the bowel vulnerable to repeated inflammatory episodes. Treatment moves through two broad phases: an active phase in which the primary aim is to clear heat, dampness and toxicity and bring inflammation under control; and a consolidation phase in which the prescription shifts towards strengthening the Spleen and Kidney, nourishing the intestinal tissues and building the body’s resilience against relapse.

For the damp heat pattern common in active disease, formulas such as Baitouweng Decoction (白头翁汤) and Gegen Qinlian Decoction (葛根芩连汤) are used to clear intestinal heat and resolve inflammation. Gegen Qinlian Decoction in particular has a strong evidence base for inflammatory bowel conditions and works by reducing the inflammatory activity in the intestinal mucosa whilst positively modulating the gut microbiome. For Spleen deficiency, formulas such as Shen Ling Bai Zhu San (参苓白术散) and Si Jun Zi Tang (四君子汤) restore digestive strength. Where Liver Qi stagnation is prominent, formulas that harmonise the Liver and Spleen are incorporated. For the Kidney Yang deficiency pattern, Si Shen Wan (四神丸) warms Kidney Yang and is specifically indicated for early morning diarrhoea.

Key individual herbs with research evidence in Crohn’s disease include Tripterygium wilfordii (Thunder God Vine, Lei Gong Teng), which has demonstrated potent immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects; berberine from Huang Lian (Coptis chinensis), which reduces intestinal inflammation and modulates the microbiome; and curcumin from Jiang Huang, which reduces intestinal inflammation and supports mucosal healing.

The herbs I prescribe are pharmaceutical-grade granules from Sun Ten in Taiwan, tested to the highest international quality and safety standards. It is essential to continue any prescribed medication alongside Chinese herbal medicine and to keep your gastroenterologist fully informed of all complementary treatments. Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM).

6. Acupuncture and moxibustion for Crohn’s disease

Acupuncture and moxibustion are effective complementary treatments for Crohn’s disease and work very well alongside Chinese herbal medicine. A landmark 48-week randomised controlled trial published in eClinicalMedicine (The Lancet) in 2022 found that 12 weeks of acupuncture was safe and effective in inducing and maintaining disease remission in patients with mild to moderately active Crohn’s who had a poor response to conventional drug therapy — and that this improvement was maintained at 48 weeks. The study found that acupuncture worked by increasing anti-inflammatory bacteria, enhancing intestinal barrier function and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Moxibustion — the application of gentle warming heat from burning moxa (compressed mugwort) over specific acupuncture points on the abdomen — is particularly beneficial for the cold deficiency patterns common in chronic Crohn’s. It warms the intestinal channels, strengthens Spleen and Kidney Yang and directly reduces abdominal cold and pain. Acupuncture and moxibustion together also address the stress, anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance that accompany chronic IBD, making the overall treatment approach genuinely holistic.

7. Self-care for Crohn’s disease

Diet during flares and remission

During an active flare, eating small, frequent meals of easily digestible, low-fibre, warm cooked foods reduces the burden on the inflamed bowel. In TCM, foods that generate heat and dampness — dairy products, alcohol, spicy foods, refined sugar and cold raw foods — aggravate the inflammatory patterns underlying Crohn’s. In remission, gradually reintroducing a wider variety of cooked foods, particularly those that support Spleen function, helps build digestive resilience. For detailed dietary guidance, see Chinese food therapy.

Manage stress

The relationship between stress and Crohn’s disease activity is well established. Regular, genuine rest and active stress management — gentle exercise, mindfulness, breathing practices, time in nature — directly supports bowel stability by reducing the sympathetic activation and gut-brain axis disruption that promote inflammatory episodes.

Stop smoking

Smoking is one of the strongest modifiable risk factors for worsening Crohn’s disease. Unlike ulcerative colitis (where smoking has a paradoxical mild protective effect), smoking consistently worsens Crohn’s disease activity, increases the rate of flares, raises the need for surgery and reduces the effectiveness of treatment. Stopping smoking is one of the single most impactful steps a person with Crohn’s can take to improve their prognosis.

Support gut health

A diet rich in prebiotic fibres (cooked vegetables, legumes, wholegrains) and fermented foods, combined with a high-quality probiotic, supports the gut microbiome environment that is central to immune regulation and bowel stability in Crohn’s disease. Tracking dietary triggers in a symptom diary helps identify individual foods that worsen symptoms.

8. Commonly asked questions about Chinese herbal medicine for Crohn’s disease

Can Chinese herbal medicine cure Crohn’s disease?

There is currently no cure for Crohn’s disease in either conventional or Chinese medicine. What Chinese herbal medicine can offer is meaningful improvement in disease control — fewer and less severe flares, longer periods of remission, improved mucosal healing and better quality of life. For patients whose disease has not been adequately controlled by conventional medication, or who are experiencing significant medication side effects, TCM can offer an important additional dimension to their care. Treatment works best as a complement to conventional gastroenterological management, not as a replacement for it.

Is Chinese herbal medicine safe to take with biologics or immunosuppressants?

Some patients with Crohn’s disease take Chinese herbal medicine alongside biologics or immunosuppressants. Always inform both your gastroenterologist and your Chinese herbalist of all medications you are taking so that any potential interactions can be assessed and your treatment can be appropriately monitored. Never stop or reduce prescribed medication without consulting your gastroenterologist first.

Can I have online consultations for herbal treatment of Crohn’s?

Yes — online herbal consultations are available and are particularly helpful for Crohn’s patients who find travelling difficult during a flare. Herbs are posted directly to your address.

How much does treatment cost?

Full pricing is on the treatment prices page. Chinese herbal medicine consultations start from £50, with bespoke herbal prescriptions at £35 per week. Online consultations are also available at the same rate.

References

Chang ML, et al. The efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine for Crohn’s disease treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases. 2025;34(1):98–107. doi: 10.15403/jgld-5729.

Bao C, et al. Acupuncture improves the symptoms, intestinal microbiota, and inflammation of patients with mild to moderate Crohn’s disease: a randomized controlled trial. eClinicalMedicine. 2022;45:101300. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101300.

Wang Y, et al. Adjuvant treatment of Crohn’s disease with traditional Chinese medicine: a meta-analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2019;2019:6710451. doi: 10.1155/2019/6710451.

Fan Y, et al. Efficacy of herbal medicine (Gegen Qinlian Decoction) on ulcerative colitis: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Medicine. 2019;98(52):e18512. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000018512.

Lai H, et al. Traditional Chinese medicine for management of recurrent and refractory Crohn disease: a case report. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(15):e15148. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000015148.