Boswellia

Not yet determined if I have ulcerative colitis or Crohn's colitis, but my colon is definitely inflamed. I take boswellia and powdered psyllium SEED (not husk) and it seems to work so far.

Yes. The key to my remission is diet modification, avoiding those foods that trigger problems, and taking alternative supplements. Psyllium seed is best but it tastes like dirt so I only take a large spoonful with probiotics about once a week or so when needed when stools first start to loosen.

I think black cumin and curcumin work very well for IBD and I still take boswellia and fish oil for joint pain. I suspect they all work synergistically with each other to maintain remission as well as keeping my joints greased. As jpnutritionfirst said supplements are equally effective as mesalamines.

But why avoid mesalamines? If I were not allergic to them I would take an oral mesalamine daily and rectal mesalamines as needed to remain in remission.

Mesalamines, are derived from Salicylates which are found in some plants such as white willow bark and wintergreen leaves. Aspirin is also derived from those salicylates which have been used for its health effects for at least 2,400 years. Mesalamines are about the safest meds when compared with the stronger stuff that is out there, and topical rectal meds have the fewest side effects.

One problem with supplements is that trial and error might be needed to determine what works for each individual. Alternatives are proven to be as effective but not all natural supplements work for everyone, just as not all meds work for everyone. Overall prescribed mesalamines might be more reliable if you can tolerate them.