Herbal Therapy for Diverticulitis

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Diverticulosis, the formation of small pouches in the intestinal walls, is a precursor of diverticulitis, a condition in which the pouches become infected because they''re filled with debris. Your best bet, then, is to treat diverticulosis so you don''t develop diverticulitis. Many of the following remedies are helpful for both conditions:

Take psyllium (a high-fiber seed) or wheat bran with lots of fluids daily to keep your bowels moving comfortably and to help prevent diverticulitis.

Use generous amounts of raw garlic, an antiinfective, in dishes such as salads. Or take 3 garlic capsules 3 times daily.

Drink slippery elm tea to calm inflamed intestines. To make the tea, simmer 2 teaspoons of powder in 1 cup of water for 15 minutes. Drink up to 3 cups daily until symptoms subside.

Other beneficial herbs include licorice, pau d''arco, chamomile, goldenseal, red clover, and rarrow. Herbal products are available in health food stores and in some pharmacies and supermarkets. Follow package for specific directions.