The intestine is composed of pouches, also known as diverticula. When one or more diverticula become inflamed, the condition diverticulitis occurs. Diverticulitis usually occurs in the large intestine.
Diverticulitis is caused when foods become stuck and are not eliminated. The intestinal lining may eventually protrude through the muscular wall of the bowel, and may possibly spread to the abdominal lining (peritoneum). These protrusions, known as fistulas, resemble “root-like” indentations.
When untreated, sores can spread through the abdominal lining, and peritonitis (inflammation of the abdomen) may occur. This occurrence can be lethal due to the high possibility that infection can spread to the blood, create sepsis, and circulate throughout the body.
Signs and symptoms of diverticulitis don’t often appear until the disease has progressed. When symptoms do appear they may include abdominal pain especially on the left side after eating meals, rectal bleeding or blood in stools, fever, nausea, vomiting, and bowel irregularities such as constipation or diarrhea, gas, or bloating.
Causes or contributors of diverticulitis include irregular or insufficient movement of waste through the colon (constipation), changes in intestinal pressure, unbalanced diet, age, and excess weight on the body.
Modern medicine provides examinations, drugs such as antibiotics, antispasmodics, and analgesics, and finally surgery to remove part of the colon; mostly they “band-aid” the symptoms of diverticulitis to make them feel better.
From the natural perspective, diverticulitis may be managed through dietary improvements and physical activity. Maximizing your GI tract everyday with proper nourishment and regular bowel habits is key in preventing developing diverticulitis. Any foods that make you feel sluggish or cause intestinal problems (gas, bloating, and indigestion) are most likely not supporting your colon health.
Prevention of Diverticulitis:
Eliminate tobacco, alcohol, coffee, black tea, sodas which are high in chemicals, and fast foods which are high calorie and low nutrition with no fiber. Add whole fruits and vegetables which are high in fiber, and other fibers. Increase your water intake between meals.
Minimize extra sugar and processed food intake – added sugars gunk up the walls of your intestines and may lead to many GI conditions.
Minimize intake of saturated fatty acids and trans-fatty acids, as well as highly processed and hormone containing meats.
Use natural supplements that may help support healthy intestinal function and keep diverticulitis at bay. Glutamine is an amino acid that supports intestine function. Aloe vera juice (the whole plant with the bitters) may promote healing.
Strengthen connective tissue via against diverticulitis:
Bioflavonoids: 1000 mg per day
Grape seed extract: 500 mg per day (also used for anti-oxidant effects)
Hawthorn: 1000 mg per day
Support the immune system (to prevent re-occurrence) via:
Probiotics: 10 billion per day for gut integrity.
Herbs are plants valued for their specific strengthening/ tonifying properties.
Use a combination of the following herbs for diverticulitis that are best suited for your symptoms:
Chamomile: herb for diverticulitis is anti-inflammatory; calms, soothes and strengthens tissues; support digestion and elimination.
Cramp Bark: relaxes muscle, relieves cramping and spasms; used for high blood pressure, coughs, bleeding and stomach ulcers; improves digestion.
Licorice: soothes and heals inflamed tissues; supports adrenal function and liver function.
Marshmallow: draws out toxins; mucilaginous fiber that supports proper bowel activity and increases colon flora; soothes and coats the intestinal tract; relieves inflammation and irritation; healing properties.
Plantain: tonifies mucous membranes; may help lower serum cholesterol levels; may relieve blood poisoning; relieves swelling and bleeding; promotes healing; wound healer internally and externally.
Sarsaparilla: promotes hormone balance; relieves inflammation and gas; supports nerve fibers and tissue of the entire nervous system, including the digestive brain.
Slippery Elm: healing and tonifying to the GI tract; soothes any irritation or inflammation; mucilaginous qualities; helps regulate bowel activity.
Turmeric: anti-inflammatory activity herb for diverticulitis; relieves indigestion; relieves jaundice and improves liver health. Take on an empty stomach.
Wild Yam: relieves pain and cramping; supports removal of waste; supports liver health, lowering cholesterol, and lowering blood pressure; may help relax the muscles in the abdomen; soothes nerves.
To make a cell salt solution, put up to 10 tablets of each cell salt in a 16- to 24-ounce bottle; fill with water and swirl to dissolve tablets. Sip throughout the day.
#8 Mag phos 6X – promotes movement of muscular tissue; nourishes the nerves and cardiovascular system; relieves cramping from diverticulitis
#9 Nat mur 6X – constipation; digestion; dryness; arthritic conditions
#11 Nat sulph 6X – liver ailments; bloating; gas; eliminates excess water
Homeopathic remedies are non-toxic natural medicines safe for everyone including infants and pregnant or nursing women. You may use 6X, 30X, 6C or 30C potencies.
Benzoic acidum – stitching pain of diverticulitis; stitches/constricted feeling at rectum; itching of rectum; sweat while eating; pressure in stomach; cutting at navel or liver region. Symptoms better from heat, worse from cold and drafts.
Berberis vulgaris – biliary (bile, bile ducts or gallbladder) colic; jaundice; dry mucous membranes; changeable symptoms (ex: thirsty, then thirstless, appetite, suddenly no appetite); stitching pain in gallbladder/liver region; constant urging to stool; burning or tearing of the rectum.
Chamomilla – sensitive; irritable; sweat after eating or drinking; distended abdomen; aggravated tummy after anger; fissures in rectum area. Symptoms better when held or carried, warm wet weather; worse in heat, night, and from anger.
Fluoricum acidum – acts on lower tissues – indicated by ulcers, varicose veins, etc; heavy weight and heat in stomach; bilious diarrhea. Symptoms of diverticulitis are better from cold, walking; worse warmth, morning.
Kali sulphuricum – nauseous stomach; tongue coated yellow with painful gums; colicky pains in abdomen; yellow diarrhea, or constipation. Symptoms are better cool, open air; worse in warm room temperatures.
Menyanthes – thirstless; great hunger that passes after eating very little; desire for meat; distended abdomen. Symptoms better with pressure applied to the affected area, stooping motion; worse rest, ascending.
Silicea – averse to meat and warm food; want of appetite; excess thirst; pit of stomach is painful with pressure; abdomen – painful, cold feeling, hard bloated; constipation; rectum feels paralyzed; rectum develops fissures. Symptoms better by warmth, wrapped up, summer; worse morning, cold, uncovered.
