In recent years, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasingly being used by patients with IBD because of its perceived natural and healthy properties. Population-based and cohort studies have shown that the use of CAM is common among adult and paediatric IBD patients.[4–11] The prevalence of current or past CAM use in adult IBD populations from North America and Europe ranges from 21% to 60%.[5] In a comparative study of Chinese and Caucasian patients, the overall use of CAM was similar in both groups and similar for CD and UC.[12] Younger age, female gender, a higher education level, adverse drug reactions from IBD medication,[7, 8] extra-intestinal manifestations,[4] perceived stress[13] and prolonged and intensive courses of steroids[14] have been associated with the use of CAM in IBD.