Combination of Botanicals and Mindfulness Meditation for the Treatment of Chronic Pancreatitis: A Case Report

Abstract

Objective

The purpose of this study is to report on the treatment of a patient with chronic pancreatitis using a combination of botanicals with mindfulness meditation.

Clinical Features

A 57-year-old male with chronic pancreatitis was admitted to the emergency room (ER) with severe acute, diffuse epigastric pain with a sharp stabbing pain in his left upper quadrant in the fall of 2020. He was diagnosed with pancreatic insufficiency and prescribed pancrelipase by the medical doctor in the ER. Over the next few months, he experienced moderate abdominal pain, nausea, eructation, fatigue, and flatulence that were minimally impacted by the treatment and he lost 30 pounds. In addition, his condition was exacerbated by stress. He incorporated dietary recommendations and supplements from a nutritionist from the Mayo Clinic. He maintained the changes for 9 months which provided a mild relief of his symptoms.

Intervention/Outcome

The combination of 1000 mg of milk thistle (S marianum), 1000 mg of bromelain (A comosus), 500 mg of ginger (Z officinale), 1000 mg of garlic oil (A sativum), and 800 mg of passion flower (P incarnata) in conjunction with mindfulness meditation was utilized to control his symptoms. After 29 weeks of supplementing with milk thistle (S marianum), bromelain (A comosus), ginger (Z officinale), garlic oil (A sativum), and passion flower, the patient’s symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, eructation, fatigue, and flatulence were alleviated and his stress was controlled.

Conclusion

This patient with chronic pancreatitis had reduced symptoms after application of the combination of botanicals with meditation.