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A healthy digestive tract is the epitome of good metabolism. As we know, digestion and absorption occur in the digestive tract, and any deformity in the tract may lead to problems.
Diverticulitis is one such condition wherein the digestive tract gets inflamed and infected. It causes severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and a marked change in bowel habits.
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While mild diverticulitis cases can be handled with rest and home remedies, severe cases may require surgery. Therefore, it is better to prevent the condition from getting severe by using essential oils that prove beneficial for diverticulitis.
Before checking the best essential oils that can curb the situation, let’s dig a little deeper and know what diverticulitis is all about and how essential oils can prevent them.
What Is Diverticulitis and Benefits?
Diverticulitis is an inflammation or infection in one or several pouches in the digestive tract. A combined effect of multiple factors like a low fiber diet, lack of physical exercise, certain medications, smoking, intake of steroids, and age are common reasons that lead to diverticulitis.
It is the eighth most common outpatient diagnosis in the United States, affecting over 2.5 million people.
In diverticulitis, the normal functioning of the intestine disrupts, causing pain and discomfort. Natural remedies like essential oils can provide huge relief and cure the symptoms of diverticulitis.
5 Essential Oils For Diverticulitis
Essential oils are concentrated compounds extracted from flowers, stems, or leaves of certain medicinal plants. They have been used to treat multiple diseases for centuries.
Due to its anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties, the efficacy of essential oils in treating diverticulitis seems significantly high.
The most beneficial essential oils for diverticulitis are listed below.
1. Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint oil has been used to treat digestive problems for a long time. It is obtained through steam distillation that instills the virtue of peppermint intact.
The antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties of peppermint oil help to fight off the infections that can increase the symptoms of diverticulitis. This oil can alleviate upset stomach by stimulating colon contraction and thus reducing diverticulitis pain.
How To Use?
- Make a mixture by adding a few drops of peppermint oil and any carrier oil like olive oil, coconut oil, or jojoba oil.
- Rub this blend two to three times a day directly over the stomach.
Peppermint oil can help to ease cramps by providing a soothing and cooling effect. You can also use peppermint oil as a diffuser to keep the mind stress-free from diverticulitis.
2. Chamomile Essential Oil
Diverticulitis pain can attack anytime. Chamomile oil, with its anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, spasmolytic, anxiolytic, and antimicrobial properties, helps both- externally and internally to treat inflammation and relieve pain.
Besides, the antispasmodic property of chamomile oil helps relax the bowel syndromes that accompany diverticulitis.
How To Use?
- Mix a few drops of chamomile oil with one tablespoon of coconut oil.
- Rub this mixture over the stomach gently.
- Repeat it twice or twice daily to relax the spasm of involuntary muscles.
3. Rosemary Essential Oil
Extracted from Rosmarinus officinalis, rosemary oil contains anti-inflammatory, carminative, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Moreover, it also works as a digestive stimulant, helping combat the symptoms of diverticulitis.
Moreover, the antiseptic properties of rosemary help ease colitis and flatulence, which cause intense pain and trouble during bowel movements.
How To Use?
- Dilute rosemary oil with any carrier oil like jojoba, olive, or coconut oil and blend it well.
- Massage this oil over the stomach to get instant relief from cramps.
Some people show allergic reactions to rosemary oil. Therefore, performing a patch test or consulting your doctor will be the best before using it.
4. Clove Essential Oil
Clove is antimicrobial properties that keep infections at bay. Using clove in the diet can eradicate most infections and help you live a healthy life.
Besides, anti-inflammatory, carminative and anti-helminthic properties ensure soothing the muscle lining of the digestive tract, providing huge relief from diverticulitis. It prevents bloating intestinal spasms and gas.
How To Use?
- Mixing clove essential oil with carrier oil and rubbing it over the stomach can help with cramps. Regular massage proves to be highly beneficial.
- Aromatherapy with clove oil also helps in providing soothing relief.
5. Cinnamon Essential Oil
The carminative properties of cinnamon essential oil make it an excellent choice for diverticulitis. It helps to expel excess intestinal gas and provides relief from abdominal pain.
Furthermore, the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties ensure preventing diverticulitis from becoming severe. It reduces infection and inflammation of the digestive tract, which are the common symptoms of this disease.
How To Use?
- Create a mixture by adding a few drops of cinnamon essential oil with one tablespoon of any carrier oil.
- Massage gently over the abdomen to relax the spasms and cramps from diverticulitis.
Apart from using cinnamon essential oil, you can also add a pinch of cinnamon powder directly to your food to reduce the symptoms and heal the digestive tract from inflammation.
Final Words
The antimicrobial and antispasmodic properties of these essential oils help to fight off diverticulitis symptoms and prevent the condition from getting severe. When used in the initial stages correctly, these oils serve better than antibiotics and other preventive medications.
These essential oils are useful not only because they provide natural remedies but also because they are economical. At the same time, the benefits are not limited to diverticulitis but many more health issues in different body parts.
Apart from using them for massage, aromatherapy is also a recommended method. You can put a few drops of suggested essential oils on a cotton ball or tissue in the air vent of a house or vehicle. It makes you feel less stressed and provide mental relief.
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