Ischemic Colitis in a Young Female Following Herbal Supplement Ingestion

Ischemic colitis is typically considered a disease of the elderly, given their atherosclerotic risk factors and other comorbidities. Ischemic colitis in the younger population is considered very uncommon. We present an interesting case of a young female presenting with abdominal pain and hematochezia found to have ischemic colitis on pathological biopsy results after a colonoscopy. She was an otherwise healthy female with no medical problems prior to her hospitalization but endorsed recent use of a bitter herbal tea to relieve her symptoms. Here, we review potential causes of ischemic colitis, including herbal remedies, which have been linked to causing hypercoagulable and hypotensive states.