Reaching for Remission: Integrating Complementary and Alternative Strategies into Inflammatory Bowel Disease...

Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing in prevalence in the United States. While medical therapy options continue to expand, patients and their families often inquire about applications of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). In this article, we review the existing literature for a wide variety of CAMs, including mind-body practices, modulation of the gut microbiome, and herbal supplements, which can be integrated into traditional medical treatments. Mind-body practices, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy, yoga, and acupuncture, have promising data for improved quality of life and potential for disease modification. Methods for gut microbiome modulation, such as probiotics and fecal microbiota transplant, have potential for modifying disease in IBD but need more studies evaluating safety and efficacy. Plant-based traditional remedies with anti-inflammatory properties, including curcumin and Indigo naturalis (Qing dai), have shown promising results in clinical trials demonstrating improvements in ulcerative colitis disease activity, although more pediatric trials are needed.