5 Effective Diarrhea Remedies

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A bout of diarrhea is never fun. Plenty of options, from anti-diarrheal medication to dietary changes that soothe your digestive system, can help you find relief.

Overview

We’ve all experienced bouts of diarrhea at some point in our lives. Common symptoms of diarrhea include frequent, watery stools, abdominal cramping, and bloating.

Diarrhea is often your body’s way of dealing with disruptions in your gastrointestinal system. Acute diarrhea lasts less than 2 weeks and can come from many sources, such as:

• a viral infection
• a bacterial infection
• food poisoning
• recent antibiotic use
• water contaminated with an infectious agent

Infectious diarrhea is common in young children and is often caused by a virus. Traveler’s diarrhea can occur if you travel to underdeveloped areas with contaminated water. Bacteria from improperly stored or cooked food are typical causes of food poisoning.

Read on for some of the most effective ways to manage acute diarrhea.

Hydration is very important when you have diarrhea. Dehydration from diarrhea can be fatal in young children and older adults. Continue breastfeeding or formula feeding infants who are experiencing diarrhea. Over-the-counter oral pediatric hydration solutions, like Pedialyte, are the recommended fluids of choice for children with diarrhea. Small amounts of hydration solutions should be given frequently. These formulas also come in popsicle preparations.

Studies have shown that for adults with mild symptoms of diarrhea, sports drinks and over-the-counter rehydration solutions are equally effective.

Alcohol, milk, soda, and other carbonated or caffeinated drinks should not be used for hydration, as they may make your symptoms worse.

Probiotics are sources of “good” bacteria that work in your intestinal tract to create a healthy gut environment. They’re essentially live microorganisms that exist in certain foods, including:

• aged soft cheeses
• beet kvass
• cottage cheese
• dark chocolate
• green olives
• kefir
• kimchi
• kombucha
• sauerkraut
• miso
• natto
• pickles
• sourdough bread
• tempeh
• yogurt

Probiotics also come in powder or pill form.

The good bacteria that live in your intestinal tract are necessary for the normal functioning of your gastrointestinal system. They play an important role in protecting your intestines against infection. When your system is changed by antibiotics or overwhelmed by unhealthy bacteria or viruses, you can get diarrhea. Probiotics can help with diarrhea by restoring the balance of bacteria in your gut.

Saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast probiotic. While it’s not a bacterium, it acts like one. S. boulardii may improve antibiotic-associated diarrhea. It also seems to provide relief for traveler’s diarrhea. Studies suggest it may help your intestines fight off unwanted pathogens and ensure they’re absorbing nutrients properly. Because it is yeast, it should be used with caution in people with inadequate immune systems.

It’s important to receive proper medical care in cases of acute diarrhea. Talk with your health care provider before taking probiotic supplements to treat your diarrhea.

With your doctor’s supervision, several over-the-counter medications can help with acute diarrhea if your symptoms are not severe. Common over-the-counter medications include:

• bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate)
• loperamide (Imodium)

While these drugs can relieve the symptoms of diarrhea, they don’t treat the underlying cause.

If you have chronic diarrhea, you shouldn’t use these drugs without your doctor’s consent. Chronic diarrhea is diarrhea that lasts more than 14 days. It often has different causes.

You should be especially cautious if your child has diarrhea. Dehydration resulting from diarrhea can be dangerous and can occur quickly in young children. Severe dehydration can be life-threatening. Over-the-counter medications are not recommended for treatment in children, so it’s important to talk to your doctor. Infants under 3 months old who have diarrhea should be taken to the doctor right away.

If you have bloody diarrhea, a fever, more than seven days of symptoms, intense abdominal pain, or diarrhea that is getting worse, you should seek medical attention.

While it might sound counterintuitive to eat if you have diarrhea, eating certain foods can help alleviate your diarrhea symptoms and ensure your health doesn’t worsen from not eating. Stick to low-fiber “BRAT” foods that will help firm up your stool. These include:

• bananas
• rice (white)
• applesauce
• toast

Other foods that are usually well-tolerated when experiencing diarrhea include:

• oatmeal
• boiled or baked potatoes (with skins peeled)
• baked chicken with skin removed
• chicken soup (which also aids in rehydration)

Fried and greasy foods are usually not well-tolerated in people who have diarrhea. You should also consider limiting high-fiber foods like bran as well as fruits and vegetables that can increase bloating. Foods to avoid include:

• alcohol
• artificial sweeteners (found in chewing gum, diet soft drinks and sugar substitutes)
• beans
• berries
• broccoli
• cabbage
• cauliflower
• chickpeas
• coffee
• corn
• ice cream
• green leafy vegetables
• milk
• peas
• peppers
• prunes
• tea

Plus Causes and Prevention Tips

Treatment to get rid of diarrhea fast can depend on the cause but typically involves taking anti-diarrheal medications or antibiotics. Certain food and drinks may also help you manage your symptoms.

Diarrhea, or watery stools, can be embarrassing and strike at the worst times, such as during a vacation or special event.

But while diarrhea often improves on its own within two to three days, a few remedies can help promote firmer stools faster.

Keep reading to learn about five fast-acting methods, along with what typically causes diarrhea and prevention tips.

Some people see diarrhea as nothing more than a mild nuisance and let it run its course, especially since some bouts lasts less than 24 hours.

You might stay close to home or a bathroom, and load up on fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration.

But what if you can’t stay home?

In this case, taking an anti-diarrheal medication may reduce or completely eliminate loose stools after the first dose. Look for over-the-counter products like Imodium or Pepto-Bismol, which have the ingredients loperamide and bismuth subsalicylate, respectively.

The active ingredient in Imodium works swiftly because it slows the movement of fluid through the intestines. This can quickly restore normal bowel function. Pepto-Bismol, on the other hand, helps kill diarrhea-causing bacteria in your intestines.

Rice water is another fast, effective remedy for diarrhea. Boil 1 cup of rice and 2 cups of water for about 10 minutes, or until the water becomes cloudy.

Strain the rice and preserve the water for consumption. Rice water not only provides your body with fluid to prevent dehydration, it can also reduce the duration of diarrhea. Rice water has a binding effect in the digestive tract, resulting in firmer, bulkier stools.

Taking a probiotic supplement or eating probiotic foods like some brands of yogurt may also stop diarrhea.

Sometimes, diarrhea results from an imbalance of bacteria in the gut. Probiotics help restore balance by providing a higher level of good bacteria. This can promote normal bowel function and shorten the duration of diarrhea.

Diarrhea from bacteria or a parasite may need an antibiotic. In this case, diarrhea can occur after coming in contact with contaminated food or water, often while traveling.

Keep in mind that antibiotics are ineffective when viral infections cause diarrhea. This type of diarrhea must run its course.

A diet known as BRAT may also quickly relieve diarrhea.

BRAT stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. This diet is effective due to the bland nature of these foods, and the fact that they’re starchy, low-fiber foods.

These foods have a binding effect in the digestive tract to make stools bulkier. And since they’re bland, they’re less likely to irritate your stomach or worsen diarrhea.

Along with these items, you could also eat (similarly bland) saltine crackers, clear broth, and potatoes.

Understanding the cause of diarrhea can help you avoid future bouts. Common causes include:

Stomach virus

Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) is one cause of diarrhea. Along with watery stools, you may have:

• stomach pain
• nausea
• vomiting
• low-grade fever

These viruses include norovirus and rotavirus, which can develop after eating or drinking contaminated food, or sharing personal items with an infected person.

Medication

Sensitivity to certain medications can also trigger bouts of diarrhea. This may happen after taking antibiotics, pain relievers, or cancer-fighting drugs.

Foodborne illness

Also called food poisoning, diarrhea can develop if you eat food contaminated by bacteria, parasites, or toxins. Food-borne illnesses can include those caused by the following bacteria:

• Salmonella
• E. coli
• Listeria monocytogenes
• Clostridium botulinum (botulism)

Food allergy or sensitivity

If you’re lactose intolerant, diarrhea may develop after eating dairy products. These include milk, cheese, ice cream, and yogurt.

Having a food allergy or sensitivity may also trigger diarrhea. For example, you may have diarrhea after eating foods containing gluten — wheat, pasta, or rye.

Artificial sweeteners

This is a lesser known cause of diarrhea. But if you’re sensitive to artificial sweeteners, you may have a bout of diarrhea after eating foods or drinks containing these sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners are found in diet drinks, sugar-free products, chewing gum, and even some candy.

Digestive problems

Diarrhea is sometimes a symptom of digestive disorders. You might have frequent bouts of loose stools if you’re diagnosed with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Also, irritable bowel syndrome can cause alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation.

Diarrhea caused by a virus or bacterial infection is contagious. You can protect yourself by:

• washing your hands frequently
• avoiding sick people
• disinfecting commonly touched surfaces
• not sharing personal items

If you have diarrhea after starting a new medication, ask your doctor about an alternative drug or possibly lowering your dosage.

You can also protect yourself by thoroughly cooking food and washing fruits and vegetables before preparing. Also, make sure you know the proper way to wash your hands.

Use warm, soapy water and wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. If water isn’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

To identify possible food allergies or sensitivities, keep a food journal and write down everything you eat for a few weeks. Make a note of days that you have diarrhea.

Keeping a food journal can help determine whether you have a lactose intolerance or a gluten sensitivity. You can then try an elimination diet. Remove suspected problem foods from your diet and see if your symptoms improve.

For a digestive disorder, talk to your doctor if you feel that your current therapy isn’t working. You may need to adjust your medication.

See a doctor for diarrhea that lasts longer than three days, or if you show signs of dehydration. This can include extreme thirst, decreased urination, and dizziness.

You should also see a doctor if you have:

• a fever above 102°F (38.9°C)
• bloody or black stools
• abdominal pain

Diarrhea can come and go within 24 hours. Or it can last for days and disrupt your plans. But between medication, low-fiber foods, and avoiding foods that irritate your digestive system — such as dairy or artificial sweeteners — you can quickly relieve symptoms and enjoy diarrhea-free days.

Treatment of diarrhea with folk remedies

As usual, at the most inopportune time, such an unpleasant disease as diarrhea (or, simply speaking, diarrhea) can happen to any person. In addition to medications that eliminate this problem, there are many ways to deal with this nuisance according to folk recipes.

Boil millet without salt. Divide one and a half glasses of this porridge equally and eat in two doses. Usually, for minor violations, this method works immediately.

You can also try the following method. Boil four carrot roots, peel, chop them well and pour boiled water until a mushy mass is obtained. Take the resulting remedy four times a day, 45 grams (3 tablespoons each) until you get rid of the ailment.

With liquid stools mixed with bloody discharge, wormwood is effective. It is necessary to take a washed sprig of fresh grass, chew thoroughly and swallow only the juice released from the plant, and spit out the rest.

The herbaceous plant burnet is also found in folk remedies against diarrhea. The plant must be taken from the flower to the rhizome, break it, place it in a liter glass container, pour boiling water over it and cover. You need to insist for thirty minutes, and then take the infusion in such a dose that you can use it at a time. When the infusion (liquid) is over, you should pour boiling water over the same herb in a container for the second time and insist for two hours. And when the second infusion is over, in the future you should take this remedy as a tea. With the same tool, you can put enemas. Once brewed grass should be brewed two more times.

This medicine is also suitable for children. After brewing burnet and insisting, give the child a drink, and then give every 4 hours in small volumes and by the next day everything will pass.

Often in the summer there is an exacerbation of dysfunctions in the digestive system. There is a very effective way to eliminate diarrhea, tested by a large number of people. With pain and cramps in the abdomen or disruption of the stool, the serpentine (serpent head), or mountaineer serpentine, helps. The root of the plant is washed, cleaned and chewed. Pain and malaise after that pass and the condition returns to normal.

In such cases, gastric juice, which is sold in a pharmacy, may also be useful. To improve, it is worth taking 15 grams of this drug orally. And you can also buy chicken stomachs, rinse with boiling water and remove a yellowish film from them. Then wash the stomachs and put on the windowsill in the sun. Grind the dried stomachs until powder is formed. Eat once 5 grams (teaspoon) with water. This medicine is also suitable for children, but in smaller quantities.

One very rare recipe is really effective for profuse diarrhea. This will require 80 milligrams of vodka and a third of a teaspoon of salt. After mixing these components, such a solution is drunk. The pain subsides immediately and the diarrhea goes away. This proven method has never failed.

For the treatment of diarrhea, you can try the following simple traditional medicine recipe. A pinch of dry loose leaf tea is placed in the mouth, chewed thoroughly, swallowed and washed down with water. This method also eliminates diarrhea very quickly.

Black peppercorns can also do a good deed for diarrhea. In the morning, on an empty stomach, swallow five peas with water.

The partitions inside walnuts can also be used to make a good remedy for diarrhea. You will need to split 300 grams of nuts, remove partitions between the nuclei, pour them with a quarter liter of alcohol and let it brew for three days. Take the tincture two to four times a day. 6-10 drops are recommended to be diluted in a glass of water.

Digestive problems are especially common in children during the summer. It is usually caused by eating unwashed or unripe berries and fruits. Timely assistance to a child who has eaten such “goodies” prevents many health problems, and often saves his life.

In such situations, these measures can be taken – quickly and easily. Add seven cups of water to a teaspoon of good rice and let it boil on a low-burning burner. Cool a little, strain (so that there are no grains) and give the child a drink with the resulting broth. The method of use is this: drink a third of a mug every two hours.

After achieving a healing effect, it is necessary to immediately stop taking folk remedies in order to avoid getting the opposite result (constipation). On the site of the Golden Cup lottery, every registered user can receive a no deposit bonus. Slot machines are presented in the following categories: popular, classic, new, jackpots, all.

Best Herbs for Diarrhea | Recipes at home

Let’s be honest, most of the articles in the description of medical symptoms in the first place paint a negative picture of what is happening. When it comes to diarrhea, in most texts you will find: “see a doctor soon”, “immediately an ambulance”, etc.

Indeed, there are some types in which the only way out is immediate hospitalization. Therefore, before describing the herbs for diarrhea, we will analyze with you which one is dangerous and which one can go well at home when adjusting the diet and using folk remedies.

Contents

• Possible hazards
• Diarrhea that does not require hospitalization
• Effects on the body, advantages and disadvantages
• Medical opinion
• Precautions
• For the Elderly
• Herbal Brewing Rules and Traditional Folk Recipes
• Treat the Cause – Treat the Symptom

Potential Dangers

essential vitamins and minerals. Indeed, this disease is among the 10 ailments that lead to death. But for this there are a number of signs indicating the need to go to the doctor. These include:

1. Defecation more than 3 times a day (including at night).
2. Incontinence of the stool.
3. Accompanying vomiting, epigastric pain.
4. Increased body temperature (more than 37.5 degrees).
5. Dryness of the mucous membranes, especially the lips, is the first sign of dehydration. And here immediate help is required – an infusion of fluid through the mouth, regardless of the patient’s condition.
6. Diarrhea is accompanied by yellowing of the sclera of the eyes and skin.
7. Black or bloody stool content. It is worth clarifying here, if there is slight bloody discharge in the feces, these may be traces of broken capillaries. This happens sometimes with frequent defecation. Especially this phenomenon can be observed in children, as their circulatory system is more sensitive.

You also need to pay attention to the general condition. Dangerous types of diarrhea, as a rule, accompany: weakness, apathy, blanching of the skin.

If possible, the blood pressure of an adult should be measured. If it is below 90/50 mm Hg. Art. This is a reason to call an ambulance. Diarrhea that does not require hospitalization lactulose syrups or smectites. The reception of “Regidron” is usually indicated for acute forms of diarrhea to replenish the body with electrolytes.

Now you can consider in detail herbs for diarrhea, their features and effects on the body.

Effects on the body, advantages and disadvantages

Those who think herbs are safe are mistaken. This is a drug that has indications and contraindications. The same goes for people who find plants ineffective for diarrhea. Many herbs and fruits contain so-called tannins. Once in the digestive tract, they contribute to the binding of elements of the intestinal contents. The same applies to folk remedies containing starch or gluten. The simplest and safest remedy for mild diarrhea is rice or rice water. Especially it can be used for diarrhea in children. However, it is important to monitor the condition of the child, and in which case – to use the drugs prescribed by the doctor.

Benefits of herbs and fruits treatment:

1. Organics. All these drugs are not derived synthetically, unlike drugs, and therefore are perceived by our body better.
2. Efficiency. With the right recipe, you can prepare a decoction for diarrhea, which will help eliminate it in a short time.
3. Availability. Even if you do not know herbs, you cannot collect them yourself, they are freely sold in a pharmacy. Moreover, modern phytopharmaceuticals offer ready-made preparations in convenient filter bags.
4. No side effects. Most herbs do not have as wide a list of side effects as synthetic drugs.

The main contraindications to the use of herbs for diarrhea are acute conditions in case of poisoning (intoxication), individual intolerance to the plant.

In addition, some herbs should not be used in the presence of diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus, some forms of hepatitis. When starting herbs without consulting a doctor, it is best to reduce the recommended dose or break it down into smaller portions (increasing the number of doses). So, according to your own feelings and condition, you can determine how much medicinal herbs help with diarrhea.

The opinion of official medicine

Doctors do not write off herbs for diarrhea, but recommend their use as adjuvant therapy. That is, when prescribing a medicine, they may advise taking one or another infusion, decoction.

Precautions

Pharmaceutical preparations must contain a leaflet that indicates the method of use. Not all herbs can be used internally.

It is better to buy herbs in a pharmacy. In no case do not collect plants, even familiar ones, from roadsides, in industrial areas of cities.

For example, celandine is one of the best remedies for papillomavirus for external use, but when taken internally it is a deadly poison.

Therefore, if it is not possible to consult a doctor, it is better to follow the following recommendations:

1. Buy proven herbs. With diarrhea, they help: chamomile, calendula, oak bark, mint, lemon balm, chicory, bird cherry, wormwood (Attention! Not all types of wormwood are suitable for consumption, it is wormwood that helps with diarrhea). Best of all, pharmacy plants that are properly harvested, certified and even packaged for ease of use.
2. Brew according to instructions. The dosage is best done less or divide the intake into several times. Also, if the herb from diarrhea is bought in a pharmacy, it necessarily contains instructions and recommendations for use along with dosage depending on the age, weight or characteristics of the patient.
3. When buying or making your own mixes, check the recipe carefully. There is a whole list of poisonous plants, among them: the mentioned celandine, feather grass, chaff, remeria, fumes, etc. All of them can cause serious violations up to paralysis and death.
4. Stop taking the diarrhea decoction or infusion as soon as the symptom has disappeared (the stool has returned to normal).

When it comes to treating diarrhea in children, if it’s mild and for obvious reasons (rotavirus, indigestion, taking a new product, taking antibiotics), it’s best not to use herbs. Even official medicine does not recommend the use of most pharmaceutical plants orally by children under 18 years of age.

For the elderly

With age, the body’s metabolic processes slow down, it becomes more susceptible, it needs more time to recover. Therefore, taking herbs at the age of 50+ should be as careful as possible for the following reasons:

1. The older a person is, the more likely they are to develop chronic diseases that get worse from time to time.
2. Some herbs can increase/lower blood pressure. The elderly in most cases suffer from either hypotension (low blood pressure) or hypertension (high blood pressure).

The most neutral herbs for diarrhea, relieving inflammation and having a minimum of contraindications, are: chamomile, calendula, oak bark, thyme, dill.

Chamomile Calendula Oak bark Thyme Dill

Rules for brewing herbs and traditional folk recipes

Most herbs (if they are not already packaged in filter bags) are brewed or infused in a water bath. The most traditional way is as follows:

• one tablespoon of monoherb or collection is needed;
• add 200 ml boiling water;
• put in a “water bath” (for sterilization) for 15 minutes;
• remove and refrigerate for 45 minutes;
• strain the decoction;
• take as directed (depending on the type of herb).

Water bath

However, a safe intake can be started with 1 tablespoon 2-3 times a day.

The most effective folk remedies for diarrhea that are used at home are:

1. Pepper (peas). No more than 10 peas are used (without biting): drink a glass of water. It is better to use the product at night.
2. Pomegranate peel. The dried peel of pomegranate (fruit) is boiled for 30 minutes. Apply 2 tablespoons 2 times a day.
3. Potato or corn starch – 1 tablespoon diluted in a glass of warm boiled water. Starch is also found in meadow geranium (crane). This herb for diarrhea is brewed according to a traditional recipe. Apply 1 tablespoon 2 times a day (morning and evening on an empty stomach).
4. Walnut kernel partition. You need 2 tbsp. spoons for 0.5 liters of water. Take raw materials, rinse under running water, brew over low heat for 30 minutes.
5. Bird cherry (dried). Need 2 tbsp. spoons for 0.5 liters of water. The broth is cooked for half an hour over low heat. Taken in 2 tablespoons
6. Elecampane. A herb that slows down intestinal motility and has an antiseptic effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Brewed with 1 cup boiling water in a water bath for 30 minutes.
7. Burnet. An herb that has a hemostatic and astringent effect. It is excellent for diarrhea of ​​various origins. Dry rhizomes are brewed in a water bath. Cold broth can be stored for 2 days. You need to apply 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day (depending on the severity of the symptoms).

Pepper Pomegranate rind Potato starch Partition of walnut kernel Burnet Elecampane Cherry berries

Also used film from chicken stomachs, dried and crushed. However, not everyone can take this medicine.

Treat the cause – cure the symptom

Diarrhea is a symptom, not a cause. Accordingly, if you do not eliminate what causes loose stools, over time the problem will return. Therefore, here are some useful recommendations for various causes of diarrhea:

1. Nervous. Somatic (physical) problems may well be caused by stressful situations, neuroses, etc. It is not very difficult to establish the cause, it is enough to follow yourself. If sleep is normal at night, and diarrhea occurs only after or during experiences, the reason lies in the work of the nervous system. And here, diarrhea will help eliminate soothing fees: lemon balm, mint, thyme, Ivan tea, St. John’s wort (is a natural antidepressant). The so-called “irritable bowel syndrome” – inflammation of the lining epithelium – can cause unstable stools. The root cause is most often long-term stressful conditions.
2. Food poisoning. It does not have to be caused by serious intoxication (dysentery). For example, eating an expired fermented milk product can lead to mild poisoning. It can be accompanied only by a moderate disorder of the stool. In this case, it is better to remove the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract caused by harmful microorganisms. Calendula, chamomile, string, flax seeds will help here. All of them have an antiseptic effect, soothe the mucous membranes. In addition, they help with diarrhea and can be used in children with walnut kernel septa. Adults are recommended to take a tablespoon 3 times a day, children – a teaspoon 2 times a day. Dried bird cherry can also be considered a safe remedy.
3. Product incompatibility. Each person has individual characteristics of the body. Some of the melon with honey can occur, popularly called “intestinal volvulus”, while others eat these products without harm to health. The same applies to other products of ambiguous compatibility (herring with honey, for example).
4. Helminths. Parasite infestation can cause diarrhea. And in adults, this is the most common symptom. Diarrhea is treated by eliminating the cause – parasites. To do this, at home, you can use 20 grams of pumpkin seeds (raw) per day or pour garlic with boiling water (2-3 cloves per 200 ml of water), leave for several hours. Take – 1 tablespoon per day. As soon as the worms are eliminated, the diarrhea will pass.
5. Viral infections. The most common is the “intestinal flu” or rotavirus infection. This microorganism settles in the intestinal mucosa, constantly irritating it. Here, such herbs for diarrhea as: raspberries (which, in addition to slowing down intestinal motility, is a natural antiviral and antiseptic agent), wild strawberries, chamomile, echinacea (as an additional immunomodulatory agent) will come to the rescue.