Home Remedies and Herbs for Celiac Disease (Gluten Intolerance)

Celiac disease is a medical condition whereby someone with this conditions will produce an autoimmune reaction when gluten is consumed. Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat, barley and rye. Celiac disease is sometimes also called sprue and coeliac. ¹ When people with celiac disease eat gluten, it triggers an immune reaction in the small intestine. These reactions can gradually cause potentially severe damage to the intestine's lining resulting eventually in an inability to absorb certain nutrients. This damage to the intestine creates a set of other symptoms which can eventually lead to other medical complications.^1,2 Celiac disease is diagnosed by doctors using a blood test and sometimes a biopsy from the small intestine. Celiac disease can develop at any point in life from infancy to adulthood. It is more common in caucasian people and people of European lineage. Women are also more likely than men to develop celiac disease. ³

What Causes Celiac Disease?

The exact celiac disease causes are unknown. The celiac disease causes are likely a combination of genetic and environmental factors.¹ Those who have a family member with celiac disease are at a greater risk of developing it themselves. ³ It is thought that perhaps infant feeding practices as well as gastrointestinal infections and gut bacteria could be possible triggers of celiac disease. ¹

Celiac Disease Symptoms

Some of the most common celiac disease symptoms include:^1,3

• Abdominal pain
• Bloating and gas
• Diarrhea and constipation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Foul smelling and oily stools
• Lactose intolerance
• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite

Because celiac disease can create nutrient deficiencies in people, other complications and symptoms can occur such as:^1,3,4

• Anemia
• Headaches
• Mouth ulcers
• Fatigue
• Depression and anxiety
• Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
• Skin rashes and problems

Celiac disease symptoms vary from person to person. Some people may experience several painful digestion symptoms, whereas others may experience the fatigue and depression that comes as a result of malnutrition.^1,3 Irritability and mood swings are one of the most common symptoms of celiac disease in children. ²

Natural Remedies and Herbs for Celiac Disease

Though there is no cure for celiac disease, there are a number of celiac disease natural remedies to help ease symptoms. If you’re looking for a celiac disease natural treatment try the following herbal remedies:

• Aloe Vera - Aloe vera has natural anti-inflammatory health benefits that can help to treat and heal damage done to the small intestine.
• Dandelion - With natural anti-inflammatory benefits, dandelion is a celiac disease natural remedy to help treat digestive problems.
• Papain -Papain supplements help to stimulate digestive enzymes which can help to prevent autoimmune attacks from celiac disease.
• Horsetail - Horsetail is a natural anti-inflammatory that directly targets the digestive system to help alleviate celiac disease symptoms.
• Paprika - The anti-inflammatory health benefits of paprika make it an important celiac disease natural treatment to ease painful digestive symptoms.
• Echinacea - Echinacea is an effective celiac disease natural remedy because it is an immune booster that helps to treat the inflammation in the intestinal lining that occurs during an immune attack from gluten consumption.

References

1. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/celiac-disease/home/ovc-20214625
2. https://medlineplus.gov/celiacdisease.html
3. http://umm.edu/health/medical/ency/articles/celiac-disease-sprue
4. https://draxe.com/celiac-disease-symptoms/