Diverticulitis is one of the three types of diverticular disease. It usually occurs when the pouches in your digestive system known as diverticula get inflamed or infected. By using home remedies for diverticulitis, you can reduce these symptoms.
You can change your diet by consuming food rich in fiber, or you may also opt for exercise. However, the question occurs: how to treat diverticulitis at home? There are numerous ways you can attend to your problem by trying out simpler methods. Some of them are listed below.
Home remedies for diverticulitis
Each diverticulitis home remedy is useful in treating the problem. You should consult your doctor before trying them out if you’re already taking certain medications.
1. Aloe Vera Juice
Why does it work?
In a juice form, aloe vera is useful in aiding digestion. If you’re having trouble with constipation, aloe juice will help in normalizing your pH levels.
How to use it?
- Take aloe vera leaf and wash it.
- Remove the thorns from the side by cutting it.
- Peel both sides and extract the aloe crystal.
- Take about 6-8 crystals and add in 6 cups of filtered water.
- Blend them till the crystal is fully incorporated.
- Now, drink aloe vera juice.
How much to use it?
Take about 12-16 ounces of aloe vera juice per day. Anything more than that can cause further irritation in your system.
[Read: Health Benefits of Aloe Vera Juice]
2. Ginger, Fennel, Peppermint, and Chamomile blend tea
Why does it work?
The ingredients involved in this blend are ginger, fennel, peppermint, and chamomile. Ginger helps reduce inflammation and bloating of the stomach. Peppermint aids in indigestion. Chamomile helps reduce intestinal inflammation(1) due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Fennel reduces intestinal gas and pain.
How to use it?
- Take a teapot and add in the ingredients.
- Add one tablespoon of dried cut ginger and one tablespoon lightly crushed fennel seeds. You also need to add one tablespoon of dried peppermint leaves and one tablespoon of dried chamomile leaves.
- Pour 8 ounces of boiling water and cover it with a lid.
- Steep it for over 10 minutes.
- Strain the tea out and add honey for sweetening it.
How much to use it?
Drink this once a day. However, avoid this if you have had allergic reactions to them in the past. It is best to consult your doctor before consuming this tea.
[Read: Probiotics for Diverticulitis]
3. Essential oils massage
Why does it work?
The oils involved in this massage are peppermint oil, chamomile oil, rosemary oil, and clove oil. Peppermint oil has properties that help in relieving digestive spasms. Chamomile oil has anti-inflammatory properties, just like rosemary oil. Clove oil helps reduce intestinal spasms(2) and bloating.
How to use it?
- Take one drop of peppermint oil, one drop of chamomile oil, two drops of rosemary oil, and one drop of clove oil.
- Blend them with 5 milliliters of vegetable carrier oil.
- Take the mixture in your palm and massage it in a clockwise direction over your stomach.
How much to use it?
You can try this twice a day until you get relief from your abdominal pain. Dilute the oils before using them to be safe from possible allergic reactions. Avoid using chamomile oil if you have had allergic reactions to ragweed and similar plants.
[Read: Herbs for the Treatment of Diverticulitis]
4. Licorice Root tea
Why does it work?
Licorice root helps in calming and lubricating the digestive tract. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help in reducing the inflammation in the colon. It also helps in lowering cholesterol levels.
How to use it?
- Boil four to eight ounces of water in a saucepan on the stove.
- For every four ounces of water, add one teaspoon of dried licorice root.
- Remove the saucepan from the stove and let it steep for five minutes with the licorice root.
- Pour the tea in a cup and remove the licorice root.
How much to use it?
You may take this twice daily. However, do not use licorice root for more than a week if you have high blood pressure, heart failure, or kidney disease. It’s best to consult your doctor for the right licorice root to opt for this treatment if you’re taking medications for a different illness to prevent side effects.
5. Marshmallow root tea
Why does this work?
Marshmallow tea helps in the coating, soothing large intestine, and eases inflammation internally. It is an effective diverticulitis home remedy.
How to use it?
- Add one and a half cup of water in a pot.
- Take one tablespoon of cut and sifted marshmallow root and add it into the water.
- Boil them together and cover the pot with a lid.
- Allow it to simmer for 20 minutes on low heat.
- Remove the pot from the heat and strain it into a cup.
- Add honey if you wish to sweeten it.
How much to use it?
You can drink this twice daily. Make sure to take marshmallow root tea after consulting with your doctor. It can interfere with medications. It can also have an adverse reaction to lithium.
[Read: Essential Oils for Diverticulitis]
6. Slippery elm tea
Why does it work?
Slippery elm has properties of being demulcent that will help soothe digestive problems. Slippery elm helps in easing inflammation and soothes(3) the large intestine. It also protects the mucous membranes of your colon and helps in relieving it.
How to use it?
- Take one tablespoon of slippery elm powder and add it to a glass jar.
- Take one cup of cold water and add it into the jar and close it with a lid.
- Shake the jar thoroughly till the powder dissolves into the water.
- Take the lid off and pour one cup of hot water into the mixture.
- Close it back with a lid and shake it again.
- Take the lid off and let it sit for a minute. The longer you wait, the thicker your tea gets.
- Pour it in a cup and drink your slippery elm tea.
How much to use it?
You may drink this three to four times a day. If you’re allergic to elm pollen, do not take this tea.
Side effects/preventions
Home remedies involving essential oils should be consumed only after consulting your doctor. As the essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts, they may cause allergies or other side effects. So make sure to talk to your physician or doctor before you consume.
These home remedies for diverticulitis pain are effective and are easy to perform by yourself. However, if you do not see results in a week or 10 days, or your abdominal pain continues to grow, you should seek experts help to get better treatment.
FAQs
1. When Should You See a Doctor?
If you experience rectal bleeding, vomiting, and you have a high fever, it is best to seek a professional’s help immediately.
2. What Are the Risk Factors of Diverticulitis?
Lack of vigorous exercise, aging, and obesity are some of the most common risk factors of diverticulitis.
3. How to Prevent Diverticulitis?
You should modify your diet and lifestyle and start eating food rich in fiber and drink at least eight ounces of water every day.
