Diverticulitis Club spoke to Dalia Weinreb RD, a Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist. Dalia specialises in gut health and has practised in both the UK and the US. Today’s conversation was about the sometime hotly discussed topic of Alternative Approaches To Diverticulitis
Medical Disclaimer: This article does not constitute medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified medical practitioner before starting a new supplement, herbal remedy, or diet, especially if you have diverticulitis or diverticulosis.
- Why Do People Look Beyond Standard Advice?
- Herbal Remedies: What Actually Helps?
- Does Slippery Elm Do Anything For Diverticulitis?
- What About Turmeric And Ginger?
- Oregano Oil And Aloe Vera: Where Caution Is Needed
- Peppermint Oil: Useful, But Not For Everyone
- Probiotics: The “Safe” Option That Isn’t Guaranteed
- Fermented Foods: Introduce Them Slowly
- Psyllium Husk: Dalia’s Top Recommendation
- Other Supplements: What Is Worth Your Money?
- Digestive Enzymes And Peppermint Oil: Do They Have A Role?
- Where Dalia Didn’t Know The Answer
- The One Rule That Applies Across The Board
- Dalia’s Practical Advice
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What This Means For You
Mark founded Diverticulitis Club after his own diagnosis left him short of clear, practical answers. He regularly sits down with a health professional and asks the questions the diverticulitis community actually wants answering.
The topic this time was one that comes up daily in the Diverticulitis Club Facebook group: alternative and complementary approaches. Slippery elm, probiotics, turmeric, psyllium husk, colloidal silver. Members ask about all of them. Some remedies have a genuine role to play. Others do not. Dalia walks through each one, and is honest about where the evidence simply does not exist yet.
Why Do People Look Beyond Standard Advice?
People turn to alternative remedies because they want to help themselves and standard NHS advice can feel thin. Dalia put it plainly:
“There are people who are proactive and curious and really want to help themselves, and they have learned that with gastrointestinal conditions, there isn’t much offered to them on the NHS in some places.”
She works in private practice, and many of the people she sees have come to her because they are already engaged and educated. She was clear that this makes her a poor case study for the wider population. Many members of the Diverticulitis Club Facebook group are not in that position. They are searching for answers under pressure, sometimes while in pain, and that can make them vulnerable to bad advice.
Dalia’s broader point was about education rather than intelligence:
“Education teaches you how to think. Your brain has been trained to be critical, to read the research and really think about, well, is this someone just trying to take advantage of me by making money and selling snake oil?”
This is exactly why Diverticulitis Club exists: to translate the research and the guesswork into something members can actually use, and to say clearly where the evidence runs out.
Herbal Remedies: What Actually Helps?
Does Slippery Elm Do Anything For Diverticulitis?
Slippery elm has a soothing effect for some people between flares, but it should not be used during an acute attack. Dalia was upfront that formal research is missing:
“We don’t have any research, to my knowledge, that it definitely helps with diverticulosis. Logic suggests that things that form a gel-like substance in the gut can feel soothing to certain people. I’m certainly not opposed to patients using it.”
Her guidance is to read your own body. If it helps, there is no harm in continuing, and it carries wider benefits for the gut microbiome regardless. What it will not do is prevent or treat a flare. Medical help is needed during an acute episode, not slippery elm.
One warning matters more than most: slippery elm can slow the absorption of prescription medication. Dalia’s rule applies to slippery elm and to psyllium husk alike.
“Anything that you’re taking that has fibre, or any supplements, I say take at least two hours away from pharmaceuticals. Whenever I speak to pharmacists or consultants, they always say, we don’t know, no one’s doing research on it, therefore space it.”
Takeaway: Take slippery elm and other fibre supplements at least two hours apart from any prescription medication.
What About Turmeric And Ginger?
Turmeric and ginger have no diverticulitis-specific research behind them, but curcumin (the active compound in turmeric) has general anti-inflammatory evidence for other conditions. Dalia’s advice is practical rather than absolute:
“Take a good clean supplement, not too many fillers, and try it for three months. If you notice that you feel better on it, continue. There’s a tiny percentage of people where the liver doesn’t like too high a dose of curcumin.”
She recommends buying from a third-party tested company rather than a general high street retailer. Purity costs more, and that cost is usually the point.
Ginger has some research behind it for general gastrointestinal support, but Dalia was clear this sits at a low level of evidence, not a proven, direct link to diverticulitis.
Oregano Oil And Aloe Vera: Where Caution Is Needed
Oregano oil is a potent antimicrobial. Dalia uses it clinically for conditions such as small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and fungal infections, but not as a long-term supplement and never during a diverticulitis flare.
“You certainly don’t want to be using that for a diverticulitis flare up. You use antibiotics for that.”
Oregano oil also has blood-thinning properties. Anyone taking anticoagulant medication should tell their doctor before using it. Dalia recommends sourcing it from a reputable supplier, not a general online marketplace, and working with a gut specialist dietitian if using it for a specific condition like SIBO.
Aloe vera carries a different risk. The whole leaf can irritate the gut and act as a laxative, so Dalia recommends the pure extract only. There is no clear research supporting aloe vera for diverticulosis specifically, though some people use it to soothe reflux.
Peppermint Oil: Useful, But Not For Everyone
Peppermint oil has research behind it for easing gastric spasms in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It is not the same condition as diverticulitis, but the mechanism can still help some members. The one clear caution is reflux: even enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules can make reflux worse.
Herbal Remedy | Evidence For Diverticulitis Specifically | Dalia’s Guidance |
Slippery elm | None found | Fine between flares, not during a flare, space from medication |
Turmeric (curcumin) | None specific, general anti-inflammatory evidence exists | Try a third-party tested brand for three months |
Ginger | None specific, low-level general evidence | Reasonable to try, not proven |
Oregano oil | None; used clinically for SIBO and fungal infections | Not for flares, not long-term, check with a doctor if on blood thinners |
Aloe vera | None found | Extract only, never the whole leaf |
Peppermint oil | Evidence exists for IBS, not diverticulitis directly | Avoid if prone to reflux |
Probiotics: The “Safe” Option That Isn’t Guaranteed
Probiotics feel like a safe, low-risk choice to many people, and Dalia broadly agreed with that instinct, while being honest about the limits of what they can promise. Her clinical view is that gut microbiome balance will eventually prove central to understanding diverticulitis flares, though she was careful to flag this as instinct rather than established science:
“My own clinical instinct, again not based on science, is that what will be a breakthrough for diverticulitis flare-ups is understanding that patient’s gut microbiome balance.”
Proper microbiome testing costs around £400 and gives a targeted picture of which bacteria are present. A standard, off-the-shelf probiotic is a much blunter tool by comparison. Dalia’s practical advice for members who cannot afford testing is that an over-the-counter probiotic probably will not cause harm, particularly for anyone whose diet lacks variety and fermented foods, but she was direct that nobody can promise it will prevent a flare.
Fermented Foods: Introduce Them Slowly
Fermented foods are excellent for gut health, but Dalia recommends introducing them gradually rather than all at once. Bloating, gas, or a change in bowel habits after eating fermented foods can be a sign of small intestine bacterial overgrowth, and this should be assessed rather than pushed through.
Psyllium Husk: Dalia’s Top Recommendation
Psyllium husk regulates both constipation and diarrhoea, and Dalia named it as her single favourite supplement for members to get used to taking.
“It’s very helpful to the gut microbiome. It’s very helpful for both constipation and diarrhoea, so for regulating the bowel. I would say that’s probably the one I’d hedge my bets on.”
Water intake is the condition that makes psyllium husk work. Dalia raised hydration as an area she believes is under-researched in diverticulitis:
“I would wonder, if I was to run a research study, what is the hydration status of patients who get diverticulitis flares? Are they drinking tons of tea and coffee and not meeting two litres of water a day?”
Psyllium forms a gel-like substance that sweeps the gut, which also means it sweeps out waste and toxins. Dalia’s theory is that this process, combined with stress or inflammation elsewhere in the body, may allow opportunistic bacteria to flourish. This is a clinical observation rather than a proven mechanism, and Dalia has offered to carry out a full literature review on psyllium husk specifically, which Diverticulitis Club will publish in a future article.
If you tried psyllium once and had a bad reaction: check your water intake first. Psyllium needs roughly two litres of water a day to work as intended. Without enough fluid, the same fibre that should regulate your bowel can make things feel worse.
Other Supplements: What Is Worth Your Money?
Supplement | Dalia’s Guidance |
Omega-3 | Quality matters enormously. Look for high DHA and EPA with few fillers, and choose a third-party tested brand. Liquid form is best for the gut lining. Diverticulitis-specific research would need a literature review. |
Magnesium | Avoid magnesium oxide, which acts as a laxative. Glycinate, l-threonate, malate and citrate are all fine. |
Vitamin D3 | Take alongside K2 for the best effect. Supports the gut microbiome, bone health, and histamine-type reactions such as hay fever or hives. |
L-glutamine | Supports gut wall integrity. Worth trying for three months if microbiome testing is not an option. |
Quercetin | No specific guidance available from this interview. |
Dalia was direct about cost: a £3.99 supermarket omega-3 supplement is unlikely to deliver a meaningful dose. Quality supplements cost more because purity and testing cost more to produce.
Digestive Enzymes And Peppermint Oil: Do They Have A Role?
Digestive enzymes are not harmful to try, though Dalia would ideally test for pancreatic insufficiency first. Early satiety, or feeling full after a small amount of food, particularly protein, is the main sign that they might help.
Digestive enzymes and peppermint oil are more established for other digestive conditions, including IBS, than for diverticulitis specifically. Dalia’s caution is that these products should not become a substitute for working out the underlying cause of a symptom, particularly where SIBO could be the real driver.
Where Dalia Didn’t Know The Answer
Part of what makes this conversation useful is Dalia’s honesty about the limits of current evidence. She was clear on several points:
- Colloidal silver: Dalia was unfamiliar with it and said she would need to carry out a literature review before commenting.
- Apple cider vinegar: helpful before meals for digestion generally, but Dalia does not know whether it helps diverticulosis or diverticulitis specifically. She was clear it is unlikely to cause harm.
- Quercetin: came up in a member conversation but Dalia did not offer specific guidance on it.
- Omega-3 for diverticulitis specifically: Dalia said she would need to review the literature before confirming a direct link, despite the supplement’s general anti-inflammatory reputation.
- Overlooked risks or interactions: when asked what people rarely think to ask about, Dalia’s answer was that her own patient group tends to be cautious and well-informed rather than experimental.
This matters because it shows the difference between an expert who is confident and an expert who is honest. Dalia did not fill the gaps with guesswork.
The One Rule That Applies Across The Board
If there is a single practical rule from this conversation, it is this: take fibre supplements and other supplements at least two hours away from prescription medication. Pharmacists and consultants confirm the same thing to Dalia repeatedly: dedicated research on timing does not exist yet, so spacing is the safest default.
Third-party testing is the second rule that runs through almost every answer Dalia gave. Whether it is turmeric, omega-3, or oregano oil, she consistently pointed members toward supplement companies that test their products independently, rather than trusting a label alone.
Dalia’s Practical Advice
Asked to leave members with one piece of advice, Dalia’s answer was short and specific:
“Hydrate, exercise, and consider psyllium husk.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is slippery elm safe to use for diverticulitis? Slippery elm is not recommended during an acute flare. Between flares, it can be soothing for some people, though no direct research confirms it treats diverticulosis. It should be taken at least two hours away from any prescription medication.
Do probiotics prevent diverticulitis flares? No probiotic can currently be guaranteed to prevent a flare. A standard over-the-counter probiotic is unlikely to cause harm, particularly for anyone with a limited diet, but it is a broad approach rather than one targeted to an individual’s gut bacteria.
Which supplement does Dalia recommend most? Psyllium husk. Dalia named it as her top recommendation, provided it is taken with plenty of water, roughly two litres a day.
Are herbal remedies safe to combine with prescription medication? Always check with a doctor or pharmacist first. As a general rule, Dalia advises spacing any fibre supplement or herbal remedy at least two hours away from prescription medication, and flagging anything with blood-thinning properties, such as oregano oil, if you take anticoagulants.
What This Means For You
Alternative remedies are not a single category. Some, like psyllium husk, have a genuine, well-supported place in managing diverticulitis symptoms. Others, like slippery elm and turmeric, are reasonable to try between flares with no strong evidence either way. A smaller group, including oregano oil and colloidal silver, need real caution and, ideally, professional guidance before you start.
The NHS provides further background on managing diverticular disease and diverticulitis, including standard dietary advice, on its diverticular disease and diverticulitis page.
If you are trying, or thinking about trying, any of the remedies covered here, share your experience in the Diverticulitis Club Facebook group and in our forums. Real member experiences are exactly the kind of practical insight that a clinic consultation cannot always capture, and they help every other member navigate this space with a little more confidence.
Medical Disclaimer: This article does not constitute medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified medical practitioner before starting a new supplement, herbal remedy, or diet, especially if you have diverticulitis or diverticulosis.