If you suffer from chronic gastrointestinal problems, you know how aggravating such conditions can be. Recurrent abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, constipation and/or diarrhea are not only extremely uncomfortable, they can really hinder your everyday life. While conventional medications may help relieve symptoms of gastrointestinal distress, they also can have side effects and may not address the underlying cause of the symptoms.
So when I heard that a homeopathic treatment called biotherapeutic drainage could alleviate digestive problems, I went looking for hard-and-fast evidence on it. Unfortunately, this is limited—and a primary reason, proponents say, is that homeopathy is not a one-size-fits-all therapy. Rather, the various remedies must be carefully matched to each person’s particular symptoms and to his or her physical and mental reactions to these symptoms. This individualization makes it nearly impossible to devise clinical studies that accurately reflect the therapy’s effectiveness. Even so, given how intractable gastrointestinal woes can be, I think it’s worth telling you about…
Put simply, biotherapeutic drainage is a method of removing (or “draining”) toxins from the body, I heard from Dickson Thom, DDS, ND, a professor and past chair of naturopathic medicine at the National College of Natural Medicine. The therapy can ease symptoms and/or help cure a variety of gastrointestinal conditions (as well as other types of ailments, though in this article, we are focusing specifically on digestive woes). These include gastroesophageal reflux disease… irritable bowel syndrome… and inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
This therapy, like all homeopathic approaches, is based on the principle that “like cures like.” The concept: Certain substances of plant or mineral origin that can cause symptoms of disease also can reduce or eliminate those symptoms when taken in very tiny, diluted doses because they modulate the immune system (much as a vaccine would) and thus help the body heal itself.
A biotherapeutic drainage product line called UNDA numbers includes 76 specific formulas. “Each of the 76 remedies contains a combination of certain plants and/or minerals that have a specific action on certain organs or tissues,” Dr. Thom explained. Generally, the plant extracts target a specific organ or system and help it function better… while the mineral extracts catalyze the detoxification process within cells.
UNDA remedies work by helping the body remove accumulated toxins and metabolic waste via the emunctories, or avenues of elimination. Emunctories include the intestines, kidneys and liver, of course, but also the lungs (which expel carbon dioxide)… the skin (which eliminates toxins via sweat)… and even the mind (which can work to dispel the stress, anxiety and depression that often contribute to digestive ills and other health problems). Dr. Thom explained, “The whole concept of drainage is to facilitate optimal function of these emunctories, allowing the discharge of toxic materials and permitting a person to return to a state of health.”
I asked Dr. Thom how this therapy differs from other types of detoxification, such as a detox diet. He said, “The principle of a detox diet is simply to lighten the load on the digestive system with the hope that the body will be able to eliminate stored toxins. The advantage of using the UNDA numbers is that they have the ability to stimulate the correct organs and/or tissues to more effectively and efficiently eliminate toxins. Thus, the addition of UNDA numbers to any detox plan—be it diet, botanicals, exercise, etc.—will enhance the effectiveness of that program.”
Biotherapeutic drainage typically is offered by practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), such as naturopathic physicians. Dr. Thom recommended contacting CAM practitioners in your area to ask if they are experienced with UDNA remedies. Caution: Though you can buy UNDA numbers on the Internet, for the therapy to be effective, you need to work with a knowledgeable professional. If used inappropriately, Dr. Thom said, UNDA numbers may create very uncomfortable side effects. Office visits and UNDA remedies are sometimes covered by insurance.
Treatment usually begins with a detailed history and exam to determine which UNDA numbers would be most appropriate for a particular patient. Three UNDA remedies generally are prescribed to work together on a single tissue, organ or system. Typically patients take the remedies in droplet form three times a day for three weeks, then are reevaluated to see whether treatment should continue or whether different UNDA numbers should be prescribed.
Initially, some patients may experience fatigue, headaches, muscle soreness, increased urination and/or loose stools as toxins are released. These symptoms, if they occur at all, generally are minimal if a patient follows a healthful lifestyle (including making appropriate dietary choices and drinking adequate amounts of water).
Generally, patients using UNDA numbers for digestive problems start feeling significantly better within a month—experiencing less bloating, tolerating food better and having more energy, Dr. Thom said. In some cases, achieving maximal effects may take up to a year.
