Diverticula are small bulging pouches or pockets that can form in the lining of the large intestine or colon. Diverticula develop when weak spots in the intestinal walls bulge out. Diverticula don’t cause any symptoms, but if the pouches of diverticula get infected or inflamed, the condition is known as diverticulitis. Homeopathic medicines for diverticulitis help reduce inflammation of diverticula and symptomatically manage cases of mild to moderate diverticulitis. Colocynthis, Magnesium Phos, and Nux Vomica are the top homeopathic medicines for diverticulitis.
One or more pouches can be inflamed in diverticulitis. The cause for diverticulitis is not exactly known, but there are certain risk factors associated, like aging (it is common after age 40), a low-fiber diet, a sedentary lifestyle, history of constipation, smoking, obesity, lack of exercise and family history of any similar complaint. Apart from these, certain medications like NSAID’s and steroids also raise the risk of diverticulitis.

Homeopathic Treatment of Diverticulitis

Homeopathic remedies for diverticulitis help treat symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and blood in the stool. But in case of severe diverticulitis where peritonitis (a fatal condition) has developed, it is necessary to seek urgent medical care as homeopathy does not offer any help here.

Homeopathic Medicines for Diverticulitis

Colocynthis – For Abdominal Pain in Diverticulitis

Colocynthis is a natural remedy prepared from the pulp of a fruit of a plant named Citrullus Colocynthis. This plant is commonly known by the name of Bitter Apple of the natural order Cucurbitaceae. Colocynthis is used to manage the complaint of abdominal pain in diverticulitis. The pain is present in the lower part of the abdomen. The pain may be colicky, cramping, griping, sharp, cutting in nature. The pain from abdomen may radiate to thighs or small of the back. The abdomen may also be distended, sensitive and painful to touch. Eating and drinking make the pain worse. Relief appears by bending over double or on lying on the abdomen. Passing flatus may also relieve the pain. Above symptoms may be attended with nausea, vomiting and frequent loose stool.

Magnesium Phos – For Diverticulitis when Abdominal Pain is Relieved by Warmth

Magnesium Phos is a homeopathic medicine for diverticulitis where there is abdominal pain. It is indicated in cases where abdominal pain is relieved by warm applications and by applying pressure. The pain is cramping in nature and there is a lot of flatus present. People needing Magnesium Phos also feel better in abdominal pain by pressure. The abdominal pain may be accompanied by watery diarrhea.

Nux Vomica – For Treating Constipation in Diverticulitis

Nux Vomica is a homeopathic remedy for constipation arising in cases of diverticulitis. People needing Nux Vomica have a frequent, ineffectual urge to pass stool. Every time the person goes for stool only a little is passed, and the urge is renewed again. The stool is dry, scanty and always unsatisfactory. It may also be blood streaked sometimes. Abdominal pain may be felt before passing stool that gets better after passing stool.

Bryonia – For Constipation in Diverticulitis

Homeopathic medicine Bryonia is prepared from the root of a plant named Bryonia alba, White Bryony or wild hops. This plant belongs to natural order Cucurbitaceae. Bryonia is also helpful to treat constipation in diverticulitis. For using Bryonia the key feature is a hard, dry, tough, large stool. Sometimes stool is so dry and dark that appears to be burnt. The stool is passed with difficulty only after much straining. Burning at the anus may be felt. A pinching abdominal colic may also be present. Motion tends to worsen the abdominal pain where Bryonia is indicated.

Arsenic Album – For Diverticulitis with Nausea and Vomiting

Arsenic Album is an effective homeopathic medicine diverticulitis where nausea and vomiting are marked. In cases needing Arsenic Album, vomiting appears soon after eating or drinking. Vomiting consists of ingesta or yellow-green liquid and sometimes clear water. It is attended with excessive nausea. Along with these features, abdominal pain with anxiety and restlessness may be present. Sometimes watery and offensive diarrhea appears. Marked fatigue and weakness arises with the above symptoms

Ipecac – To Manage Constant Nausea in Diverticulitis

Homeopathic medicine Ipecac is prepared from the dried root of A plant Cephaelis ipecacuanha that belongs to natural order Rubiaceae. Ipecac is an excellent remedy to manage constant nausea in diverticulitis. Nausea is extreme, distressing, persistent in nature. Vomiting of white glairy mucus or watery fluid may arise, soon after which nausea reappears. Cutting and pinching colic in the abdomen is mostly present. The tongue is clean.

Nitric Acid – For Diverticulitis Where Blood in Stool Appears

Nitric Acid is an effective homeopathic remedy for diverticulitis where there is blood in the stool. The blood is bright red. The stool is hard, dry, difficult and irregular and may alternate with thin, liquid stools. Splinter-like pain may be felt in the rectum during stool. The lower part of the abdomen is distended and painful to touch.

Aloe – For Managing Diarrhea in Diverticulitis

Aloe is prepared from the gum of leaves of plant Aloe Socotrina of the natural order Liliaceae. Aloe is a significant medicine for managing complaint of diarrhea in diverticulitis. The stool is frequent, thin, yellow and may have undigested food particles. An urgency to pass stool is marked. In most cases, urge to stool appears soon after eating. A constant bearing down in the rectum is felt. There is abdominal pain with bloating (especially left side abdomen). There is also a discharge of much offensive flatus that relieves the abdominal pain.

China – For Diverticulitis with Abdominal Pain and Flatus

Homeopathic medicine China is prepared from the dried bark of a plant Cinchona officinalis that belongs to natural order Rubiaceae. Use of China is considered in cases of diverticulitis where there is abdominal pain, bloating and excessive flatus. The abdomen feels tight with rumbling and moving of flatus. Bending over double gives relief in pain. Along with this profuse, watery, offensive stool may appear frequently. A marked debility arises due to frequent loose stool.

Symptoms of Diverticulitis

The symptoms of diverticulitis include abdominal pain usually on the lower left side, abdominal tenderness, nausea, vomiting, changes in bowel habits (mostly constipation and less commonly diarrhea), blood in the stool and fever. Some complications may appear in cases of diverticulitis. The main ones include abscess formation, peritonitis (most serious one that can be fatal thus require immediate help from conventional mode of treatment), fistula (between bowel and bowel or between the bowel and urinary bladder ) and stricture/blockage in the colon from scarring.