These natural remedies will treat Diverticulitis (Diverticulosis) completely.

SYMPTOMS

No symptoms appear until this becomes infected or inflamed, resulting in chills, fever, and pain. The pain may be localized in the left lower quadrant of the abdomen and may be constant. Sometimes there is brief period of diarrhea.

   If you are over 40 and have periodic abdominal cramps, gas, and diarrhea alternating with constipation, you may have diverticulitis.

CAUSES

Diverticula are small pouch-like sacs on the inside of the large bowel, generally in the descending colon. Diverticulosis is a disorder in which these pouches are present. Diverticulitis is when they become infected and inflamed.

   When a person is constipated, he tends to push too hard. The air pressure exerted by this muscular squeeze on the bowel muscles can force small pockets to form in the walls of the lower colon.

   Once they form, diverticula never go away. Of themselves, they provide no symptoms. The problem is that fecal matter can collect in them and eventually attract bacteria. This results in infection or inflammation and produces the fever, chills, and pain.

   Diverticulosis occurs when the diverticula are inflamed or infected; then the unfortunate symptoms reveal themselves.

    This is another disease caused by “civilized” refined and junk foods. It is practically unknown in Third World nations, where people eat high-fiber diet.

   More than half of those over 60 in America have this problem.

NATURAL REMEDIES

• In order to avoid the formation of those little pouches, always avoid constipation. This is done by including roughage in your diet (fresh fruit and vegetables, bran and other sources of fiber), drinking enough water.
• Do not delay bowel movements. Have them when you sense you ought to. Do not wait.
• Obtain adequate exercise, especially outdoors. A research study showed that men who exercised little were 2 ½ times more likely to have diverticulitis.
• Prunes, pureed fruit juices and herb teas are very helpful. Carrot, beet, celery and green juices are excellent. Of the fruit juices, papaya, apple, pineapple, and lemon are outstanding for your purposes.
• Chew nuts, seeds, and popcorn well, so they will be less likely to enter the diverticula.
• Eat smaller meals. Garlic heals and detoxifies.
• Rats placed on high-fat diets, for 90 weeks, all developed colon diverticula. Adding more fiber lowers the internal pressure, reducing or eliminating symptoms.
• Avoid caffeine products. They all tend to irritate the colon.
• Do not eat a lot of sugar.
• Smoking and stress make the symptoms worse.
• Girdles, belts, and tight bands around the waist tend to increase abdominal pressure on the colon.
• The German government recommends taking 1-3 Tbsp. crushed flax-seed 2-3 times a day with lots of water to treat diverticulitis. Psyllium seed can also be used, but it does not agree with some people (1 tsp mixed with 8 oz. glass of water or juice, taken at meal time). Either one softens stools. Slippery elm does also.
• The fibrous bark of slippery elm soothes the bowel and keeps things moving. Prunes and prune juice contain lots of fiber and have been used for constipation for centuries. Chamomile tea (2 tsp. dried chamomile per cup boiling water, steep 5-10 minutes) has an anti-inflammatory action which soothes the digestive system. Pau d’arco (2 cups daily) kills bacteria and heals.
• Here is a winning formula: Mix 2 parts wild yam, 1 part Valerian, 1 part black haw, and 1 part peppermint.
• Other beneficial herbs include Aloe Vera, golden-seal, cayenne, yarrow, papaya and red clover.
• B complex, plus acidophilus to reinforce beneficial intestinal bacteria. Beta carotene (25,000 IU daily), to protect and heal the colon lining. Vitamin E (600 IU) protects the bowel lining. Vitamin C with bioflavonoids (2,000 mg in divided doses), to reduce inflammation.

DURING THE ATTACK

As soon as an attack begins, give yourself a cleansing enema (2 quarts of water and juice of a fresh lemon). Take 4 charcoal tablets with a large glass of water.

    In case of pain or spasm in the colon, apply a heating pad over the abdomen.

   During the acute phase of an attack, it may be best to eat a low-fiber diet for a very short time. Then return to the high-fiber regime.

    If the attack is severe, temporarily blend your food. Drink carrot, cabbage and green juices.

    To relieve pain, massage the abdomen on the left side. Stand up and stretch.

    Try to have bowel movements on schedule. Take fiber first thing in the morning and down a quart of water before breakfast.

    Check your stools daily. If they are black, this means blood is present; take a sample to a physician.