Natural Remedies for Diverticulitis Relief: Safe & Effective

Colloidal Silver

Posted by Laura (Va) on 02/15/2016
★★★★★

I have found a "big gun" for my diverticulitis. When the grapefruit seed extract and slippery elm isn't enough, and I start feeling the aching stomach signal that an attack is imminent, I have had perfect success with Colloidal Silver. Take two teaspoons and relief is within minutes. Thank God for relief from pain, because I'm a wuss and want to crawl in a hole when I'm in pain. The directions warn not to take this for more than 10 days. Hope this will help others who have suffered as I have.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Sophie (Victoria, Bc) on 12/24/2018
★★★★★

I had always had bowel problems, since teenage, which I considered to be IBS, and then recently had a bout of diverticulitis (first time) that ended in a hospital stay and recommended surgery after my recuperation - until I realized that surgeons generally know and care about little but operating. I put surgery on hold, and through Earth Clinic and other sources developed a regimen that may be half placebo, but it works!

I begin the day with a small glass of plain organic kefir and a probiotic capsule (35 billion microorganisms, 15 strains - be sure to include B. infantis) sprinkled with baking soda. I end the day with a glass of warm water with 1 tsp ACV, 1 tsp lemon juice, sprinkled with cayenne. I make sure to have 6 to 8 glasses of liquid a day.

My most important discovery. Several medical sites mentioned that many developing world people have no such bowel problems (which, through straining, etc., lead to diverticulosis). Usually they attribute it to diet. One medical researcher attributes it instead to their use of the squat toilet, which places their bodies in a better position for bowel movements. My husband and I fashioned a sort of deck to surround my toilet so that I could use it in this way. It's actually quite beautiful, stained to match the woodwork - looks like something you'd see in an Indonesian hotel. Magic!!!! It's as if I never had a bowel problem. So regular and easy that others might say it's boring

I have great hope for the future. I don't know which change is the decisive one (I know I wouldn't give up the squat toilet for anything) but they are all easy to put into practice, so I will continue with the lot.

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Posted by Clare (Banbury, England) on 10/04/2017
★★★★★

Grapefruit Seed Extract for Diverticulitis

I had my first attack of Diverticulitis just over a week ago. I saw a doctor to confirm my self diagnosis and he told me if the attack hadn't got better in two weeks to go back and I would have blood tests. I had no appetite or energy and had pretty much constant gut aches and pains. I lost seven pounds in one week because I didn't want to eat although I had a little fruit twice a day. I came on this site yesterday and saw that someone had had great success with GSE. It was said by someone else that GSE contains two nasty chemicals produced in the processing and thought it might be the two chemicals that stopped the attack. I had some GSE manufactured chemical free. I bought it online because I was also worried about the two chemicals. So I thought I would try the chemical free one made in France as I had had it in my cupboard for a few months and hadn't tried it. I took the recommended 15 drops in half a glass of water and in about two hours the Diverticulitis just went away. I had no pain at all through the night and this morning but thought it would come back as it had caught me out before. I took another dose this morning and the Diverticulitis has not come back. I had my usual fruit for breakfast and at around late lunchtime I felt a bit hungry so I had a small salad. Tonight I had soup and two small slices of Soda bread. First food I have had in the evening for just over a week. I wish I had known about GSE when my mother suffered with Diverticulitis but maybe it wasn't around then.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Soazburrolady (Arizona) on 12/02/2016
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Having been prone to diverticulitis flare-ups for over a decade, I almost immediately recognize the symptoms and reach for my "go - to's: aloe vera capsules (can't abide the taste of aloe vera), an increase in probiotics, grapefruit seed extract, and simethicone. Normally, within a few days, I am completely better.

Last week, I followed this protocol and was stymied when, though the diverticulitis was somewhat better, I was suddenly constipated and consequently developed a hemorrhoid. Enough, already! Obviously, I needed to augment or alter my regimen. So, I added a few more drops of 5% Lugols to my usual 6 drops, used a vitamin E suppository to relieve the hemorroid, added grape seed extract, and, most significantly, reread constipation cures in Earth Clinic.

I come to this site 2 or 3 times a week, sometimes more, and am so grateful to those who post and change my family's life for the better. This time I learned that a treatment for gallstones and kidney stones could also relieve constipation and therefore hemorrhoids. So.....I added olive oil (2T) mixed with lemon juice (2T). Including a pinch of sea salt makes the mixture taste like salad dressing and entirely palatable. Today, I woke symptom free.

So, one more time, thank you Earth Clinic. BTW, my husband uses the olive oil/lemon juice mixture for kidney stones - works every time!

Aloe Vera Juice

Posted by Kteachernc (Charlotte, Nc) on 12/22/2015
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Aloe with AMP (Aloe Mucilaginous Polysaccharides) works so far! It caused the cramping, burn and PAIN to leave within 1 and 1/2 hrs.....wow....taking Turmeric with it also. I was on two rounds antibiotics and desperate when I read this site.....thank you, thank you.....I want to tell EVERYONE it works.....Aloe Vera Juice with AMP "nasty taste" but worth it.....got overnight order for a different brand now because people posted it tastes better....Praise God for answers online....suffered for so many years, so grateful....thank you everyone!!

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 01/22/2024
★★★★★

Last week I began having significant, localized pain in my lower left abdomen, that definitely seemed to be digestive related. I had my appendix out years ago (and though it is on the right, pain can end up anywhere...) so I knew it wasn't that. After a bit of research I was pretty sure it was diverticulitis. I have none of the risk factors, except I am getting older (almost 57.)

I immediately read every story on Earth Clinic (7 pages worth! ) about diverticulitis. I knew I didn't want an antibiotic or a trip to the ER if I could help it. Also, I have been completely iced/snowed in for a week and had to make do with remedies I had on hand. (Thankfully, I had a lot on hand.)

I stopped solid foods and made a bunch of chicken bone broth. To each mug of warm broth I added 3/4 teaspoon of turmeric, salt, pepper, and little cayenne. I took 12 drops of GSE (Grapefruit Seed Extract) four times a day. I added a little to the end of my bone broth or a bit of low acid coffee. I also took 4 odorless garlic pills a couple of times a day.

The turmeric (with black pepper), garlic, and GSE are all naturally antibacterial.

The bone broth is healing to the gut.

I also made a half gallon of herbal tea with marshmallow root (soothing), red raspberry leaf (nutritive) burdock root (blood purifying) to drink throughout the day.

I put a castor oil pack on my abdomen right over the painful spot. I kept it there continuously. If I was sitting, which I mostly was, I kept a heating pad over the spot as well.

Within 24 hours I had noticeable improvement. Within 48 hours I had no more pain.

When I added food back in, I started with oatmeal, which is soothing and nourishing.

I am so thankful for everyone's stories. It was helpful for picking remedies to use and encouraging to think I could get better without leaving home, which was nearly impossible.

I have ordered aloe and a probiotic to try and prevent future attacks. I suspect that my system is out of whack. I cannot have dairy and rarely get probiotics since I can't eat yogurt and I have been lazy about prioritizing alternatives or that.

~Mama to Many~

Carnivore Diet

Posted by Richard (Augusta, Georgia ) on 11/17/2022
★★★★★

I want to update my post, I suffered for 6 months following my doctors recommendation of eat more fiber, which is the quickest way to destroy your gut, I also tried every remedy on here and nothing worked, after weeks of research, the solution is to go to a carnivore diet, yes that's right, more red meat. You see meat is digested in the small intestines, so when it gets to your colon it's a soft liquid, fiber on the other hand doesn't get digested at all, you might as well swallow a Brillo pad. And another thing is your bowel movements will be half the size as before. I've never felt better and just a couple weeks ago I was utterly help and depressed and suffering immense pain. Gob bless

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Posted by Marc (New Jersey) on 11/27/2017
★★★★★

I swear by Grapefruit Seed Extract for diverticulitis. I was getting a flare up every 4-6 months for 3 years. Haven't had a flare up in over a year since I started taking it. 10 drops 3x a day during flare ups and they disappear in 2 days.

Now I take 10 drops every morning in a glass of Concord grape juice and doing great. Vitamin Shoppe sells it. It worked better than antibiotics

Helpful Tips for Diverticulitis Management

Posted by Wildbilll62 (Holland, Pa, United States) on 10/07/2011
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

My first comment is that people die from divriticulitis - particularly if the condition has progressed and has resulted in a perforation of the colon. If your pain is so significant and just seems to be getting worse - head to the ER. Once your condition is stabilized then perhaps these alternate therapies may alleviate the condition. My colon had a small perforation and so I was admitted immediately and put on antibiotics and restricted diet for four days. Someone very close to me had a complete perforation, was admitted to the ER and had surgery (sigmoidectomy) the same day. In order to heal from that surgery, he had to wear a colostomy bag for weeks. He was very lucky and could have died.

There are many other side effects from divriticulitis. The colon becomes inflamed and excreting waste becomes very difficult. A consequence of this, in my case, was that my bladder also became inflamed and anytime the bladder had fluid, it was very painful.

I'm back at home now and revisiting this site to see if there is a way to avoid surgery. I had tried some of the remedies here prior to my hospital stay but I think the colon had already perf'ed and so anything I tried was ineffective. Now that things seem to have settled a bit I will try this alternative remedy and see how it goes.

As for whether eating seeds or nuts or what have you is the cause of divriticulitis, as one surgeon told me in all of the sigmoidectomies he has done, he has never seen a seed or nut lodged into the infected divriticulum. Be well.

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Posted by intanet (Bronx, N.Y.) on 08/16/2023

I am replying to my own post since it got no replies in 2 years. I think when people post here, they should make it a point to mention what strength of GSE they are using. There are two strengths...regular and maximum. To use 10 drops of maximum is too much so, I am assuming they are using the regular strength. Please make that distinction since it is misleading for people who are not aware that there are 2 strengths for sale.

For clarity, I called "NutriBiotic"...the company that sells both strengths and they told me that the regular strength GSE has directions for taking it internally but a few years back, the FDA had them stop putting a dosage on their Maximum strength bottles and told them that they had to put: "For external use only" on the Maximum strength bottles. But, they used to put "Take 3 drops daily" before they were told not to. So, if you use the Maximum strength, use only 3 drops a day as it is much more potent.

Salt Water Cleanse

Posted by Misty (Indiana, Usa) on 02/07/2014
★★★★★

Salt Water Cleanse for Diverticulitis: Dissolve 2 tsp non-iodized, natural salt (such as Himalayan pink salt or sea salt) in 1 liter warm water. Drink in the morning on an empty stomach. When you first feel the urge to go, just resist the urge and let the solution "brew" in your intestines for about 30 minutes (or more if you can stand it). When you feel you can't stand it any longer, visit the toilet. This will likely result in one semi-solid defecation and 3 or more liquid ones. Avoid eating anything until you can go one hour without evacuating your bowels (which takes about 5 hours for me), then have light meals for the rest of the day. Repeat in 2 days, increasing the salt to up to 3 tsp, if you are not feeling any better. Once you are feeling better, it is important to eat a high-fiber diet and drink plenty of water to prevent flare-ups.

I first decided to try this remedy after having a flare-up due to taking calcium/magnesium/zinc tablets (calcium can cause constipation). After suffering for a few days with pretty severe pain, I figured I would try this remedy. I believe this remedy works by dissolving the contents of diverticula while reducing swelling and inhibiting bacterial growth. The next morning, I woke up pain-free!

Note that using iodized salt in this remedy probably will work but is dangerous because it may result in iodine poisoning. For best results, use filtered water or boiled tap water. I would advise doing this on a day when you are going to be home all day because you'll feel the urge to run to the bathroom throughout the day. Avoid passing gas when not on the toilet because it will probably not just be gas!

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Posted by Stibbs (Skipton, North Yorkshire) on 06/18/2010
★★★★★

Just to let you know that, after the great reply that a forum member gave about his mother who suffers from Diverticulitis, mine is now non existent.I cannot believe I am writing this after suffering for so long with this terrible disease. It will stop the pain within an hour, believe you me.Grapefruit Seed Extract tastes horrible, but I have found a way of hiding it, tonic water, you can't taste it. If you fancy a tipple after your hard days work you can also add it with the tonic.

I cannot thank you guys enough and the chances of stumbling on this site to finally stop all the pain I have had.Get some Grapefruit Seed Extract NOW, amazing stuff. If you need any more info I would be more than elated to help.Thank you.

Aloe Vera Juice

Posted by Robert H. (Mount Pleasant, Sc) on 07/05/2016

Look for Aloe that is made from the fillet and NOT "Whole Leaf" The latex lining of the green outer skin contains laxative ingredients and the side effects listed by the Mayo Clinic. Almost all Aloe on the market is processed with activated charcoal to remove the latex component.

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Karin (Wilmington, Nc) on 08/11/2015
★★★★★

Diatomaceous earth prevents my diverticulitis attacks. After trying a number of alternative treatments for this recurring problem, none of which helped, I discovered diatomaceous earth. I had eliminated many foods, but the problem kept getting worse until this discovery in March, 2014. Since then, I've only had one minor episode when I skipped my dosage for two weeks, and stopped the attack from getting worse by taking two doses spread a few hours apart. I can now eat anything I want with no problem!

Initially, I took one tablespoon in half a glass of water -on an empty stomach- twice a day, but after a month, it began to hurt my stomach, and I began spreading out dosages. I now take it once a week and feel cured!

It is extremely important to only use Food Grade diatomaceous earth. There is a version of this used for swimming pool filters which can be fatal! The food grade is quite safe to ingest, but be careful not to inhale the dust which can damage lungs.

The attacks, which had been worsening for years, are now history.

Aloe Vera Juice

Posted by Laurie (Atlanta, GA) on 10/24/2014

Seeds, nuts, etc do not cause diverticulitis. Look at the mayoclinic.com or clevelandclinic.com and you will see that although Dr's told people with diverticulitis not to eat popcorn, seeds or nuts for years, recent studies show no correlation. I've also been told that not enough fiber causes diverticulitis, but since I grew up eating from an organic garden, and still eat a lot of fiber and not a lot of processed foods, I don't think that is the cause either. My grandmother had it and never ate processed food in her life. Had raw veggies with every lunch and dinner. So in my opinion, we don't really know what causes diverticulitis.

Swedish Bitters

Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 11/17/2022
★★★★★

I have always recommended Swedish-Bitters to people suffering from diverticulitis. Every one of them was cured of this illness within 5 days of taking this elixir 3x/daily.

Swedish Bitter is a panacea remedy from herbs created during the 16th century by famous scientist and alchemist Paracelsus, who wanted to create a mighty elixir from plants for longevity.

There are two preparations of Swedish bitters: A small version containing 11 herbs and a large version containing 22 herbs. Maria Treben (the famous herbalist from Germany and author of the book Health through God's Pharmacy) favored the small version as she could find no difference in efficacy between the two. However, I favor the 22 herb formula and had great success using it.

Note by Rob: There is a reason why Paracelsus and Samst used 22 herbs. It may not be apparently clear as to why but there was a reason.

When taken internally, Swedish Bitters does a remarkable job of healing and cleansing the digestive system. It assures maximum assimilation of all the nourishing things you eat and helps cope with the elimination of the less desirable elements you ingest. Bitters help to soothe the nervous system, your blood, muscles and organs. When you feel better, you think smarter and are ready to engage in constructive activities.

To maintain optimum health, take a teaspoon of Swedish Bitters in tea, juice or water 3-4 times a day.

Source: https://johnrothacker.org/downloads/SwedishBitters_ebook.pdf

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Posted by Peter (CO) on 08/05/2021

As someone that has struggled with this for over 10 years, I sympathize with you. I have have every symptom you listed. All at the same time, when it is at its worst. The bladder part is the one that tells me that I am in trouble. I wonder what your MG dosage of GSE is in liquid form? All I can say is that it should do more for you than just hold you over. Within a day or 2, you should note a pretty positive change. After a week or so, you should be mending quite well. I actually just posted my dosage today, but for simplification purposes, when I am in your condition, I take 2 - 250mg dry capsules twice a day. This brings me out of the woods quite quickly. All I can say is that when the pain gets to my bladder, I am one poor choice from ending up in the hospital. I cut ALL solid foods and cut right to broth for at least 24 hours, and if you can make it longer, do so. Fruits, vegetables and fiber are TERRIBLE for you at the state that you are in. You are actually aggravating your intestines with the vey things that are supposed to help you in the first place. Fiber is the enemy during infections. It causes your bowels to inflame and irritate more. Putting stress on already weak areas.

Once you are out of the woods, then you can cut back to porridge and eventually solids.

I know that I did not answer your question on GSE, because I think that you will find many subjective answers. What I can tell you is that the state that you say you are in is very close to the state that puts me in the hospital and at very high risk of sepsis. IMO, you cannot worry about how long you can take GSE (albeit, I feel that low doses daily is totally fine for me. Something like 125mg GSE.). You are trying to avoid permanent damage as well as toxic shock.

Probiotics are fine for the most part. Just know that some people, including myself sometimes get constipated from certain types. Find the one that works for you. I find that Visbiome and culturelle work best with my body.

One more thing to try: N-A-G. When I am in the woods, I add N-A-G to the mix. While I know that most of my issues alleviated from GSE alone. I've read quite a bit on N-A-G and it should definitely help. I find it more effective than slippery elm and agrees with my body more.

Good luck.

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Posted by Laura (Va) on 02/26/2018
★★★★★

Have had about 4 or 5 diverticulitis flare ups. Each time, one table of Grapefruit Seed Extract cured the sharp pain in my left abdomen fast. It can be bought at health food store or online. I'm so thankful to know about this, because I'm terrible at handling pain!!! I take it most of the time to prevent further problems, and it is helps with inflammation as well.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Tc7 (Toronto) on 06/15/2016

I am responding to myself as an addendum. This cure I described works, but the cause of my diverticulitis is worth mentioning - now that I know the cause, the cure will not be required again. I would have symptoms (bloating, pain) of diverticulitis concurrent with a toothache. I noticed that symptoms arose when I sat at my desk. On my desk is a wireless modem. The tooth that ached was the only one with a filling. As cell phones will make earrings hot, so the modem was heating my tooth AND the colloidal silver in my gut (which did ease symptoms of diverticulitis when I was not near the modem).

As soon as I killed the modem, symptoms were GONE and have not returned. My house is now wired, no more wireless. I have fewer floaters and sleep better now also (after a week of no wireless). I had to share this info so I made a video called "WI-FRIED", you can find it on YouTube.

Aloe Vera Juice

Posted by Alyson (Leesburg, Va) on 02/15/2016
★★★★☆

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

I have been taking Aloe Vera Juice (Whole Leaf) for over two years for diverticulitis. I was just in the ER twice in one week with heart issues, low potassium and electrolyte imbalances. The cardiologist suggested it could be the Aloe Vera juice and had me read a few articles, including one from the Mayo clinic, that have severe warnings about internally taking it which described almost all of my symptoms. I'm wondering if anyone has heard any dangers about it? I was happy taking it and really thought it worked; now I'm not so sure.