Ulcerative Colitis Treatment Case:
Achieving Remission Without Steroids
A record from resolving functional issues to normalizing inflammation markers
Case of a Patient in Their 20s
Hello. This is HanStep Korean Medicine Clinic, which has been treating ulcerative colitis since 2007. This case involves a male patient in his 20s who began experiencing diarrhea in January 2024. As there were no abnormalities in his endoscopic examination, he left it untreated until he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in September.
He subsequently took Pentasa, but when symptoms worsened in June 2025 and he was advised to take 8 steroid pills, he visited our clinic immediately.
Status at Initial Visit
- Main Symptoms: Watery diarrhea 1–6 times a day, urgency, bloody stools 2–3 times a week
- Test Results: Calprotectin 723, Fecal Occult Blood test positive (above 1200)
- Co-occurring Symptoms: Feeling of heat, insomnia, and indigestion during stress
Treatment Progress and Step-by-Step Prescriptions
Inflammation was controlled by applying Prescriptions A, B, and C in stages according to the patient's changing condition.
Application of Digestive Prescription A
As a result of combining dietary management and upper gastrointestinal treatment, bowel movements decreased to 1–2 times a day and stool consistency became normal within two weeks. After one month, bloody and mucous stools had completely disappeared.
Transition to Prescriptions B and C
When symptoms temporarily worsened at the end of August, the treatment was changed to 'Inflammatory Prescription B' to improve the condition, and 'Prescription C' was used to precisely manage inflammation when markers rose again in November.
Complete Normalization
As of the end of January 2026, all inflammation and symptoms disappeared with a calprotectin level of less than 3.8 and a negative fecal occult blood test (4). The patient is currently maintaining a stable condition using only herbal medicine without taking Western medication.
Recommendation from HanStep Korean Medicine Clinic
Do not ignore the small signals your body sends, such as diarrhea or pain. It is important to treat these issues early before functional problems progress into structural diseases.
Inquiry: HanStep Korean Medicine Clinic (Suite 307, JB Miso Building, 841 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul)