Natural Treatments For Diarrhea
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Although uncomfortable and unpleasant, acute diarrhea symptoms (that last no longer than two weeks) can be one of our bodies' best defense mechanisms against a temporary infection or virus. For anyone who ever struggled with these symptoms, the main question is, how to stop it as quickly as possible. The following tips can help you effectively heal acute case of diarrhea in adults (all tested and approved) and kids alike.
1. Drink plenty of fluids: The main issue when struggling with diarrhea is dehydration. Drink pure water, chamomile, ginger, peppermint, licorice or fennel tea. Coconut water helps replenish lost fluids and electrolytes. Also, bone broth is very soothing and it will additionally provide many nutrients (like amino acids).
2. What to eat: Eliminate spicy foods, conventional dairy, added sugar, alcohol, cocoa, chocolate, and caffeinated products for a week or so. Meals should be small and frequent. Stick to simple foods such as cooked apples, steamed veggies, oatmeal (no dairy milk), bananas and rice the first few days.
3. Essential oils for diarrhea: peppermint essential oil can reduce bowel inflammation and soothe the digestive tract, reducing loose stools. It also helps stop cramping. Mix 2 drops of peppermint essential oil with 1 tsp.carrier oil and massage your abdomen in circular motion. This remedy is also helpful for children ages 9 and higher. For adults, making your own oregano essential oil capsules can be a true lifesaver. Purchase empty gelatin capsules and fill with fractionated coconut oil, avocado, jojoba, hemp seed oil etc, and two drops of oregano essential oil. Note that internal, medicinal use of oils should be executed in proper dosing and the quality of essential oils is crucial. For topical uses, ginger, thyme or lavender essential oil can be use as well.
4. Supplements: Probiotics help fight infection and can help re-colonize the gut with healthy bacteria. These are available in supplement form and also in cultured/fermented foods such as kefir or kombucha. If you have IBS, you might not tolerate fermented foods }yet~ so start with small quantities with every meal. Chia seeds (2-3 tablespoons daily) are excellent as they help thicken stools and reduce the frequency of diarrhea. Aloe Vera Juice - purchased or homemade (1/2 cup taken about 3x daily) is healing to the lining of the digestive system and easy to break down. Activated charcoal is also helpful when dealing with diarrhea.
5. Herbs for diarrhea: The primary concern with diarrhea is dehydration which can be dangerous mainly for kids. Monitor the amount of liquid your child drinks, these can be herbal teas, vegetable broth, chicken or miso soup. A simple diet of kefir, mashed potatoes or potato soup can be beneficial if the child wishes to eat. Here is a simple diarrhea remedy tea for kids by the renowned healer Rosemary Gladstar: Mix 3 parts of blackberry root, 2 parts slippery elm bark and 1/8 part cinnamon. Simmer 1 tsp of the mixture in 1 cup of water for 20 minutes. Strain and administer 2 tablespoon every hour.