Everyone has experienced the frequent rush to the toilet when they pass loose stools frequently due to an infection or an allergy. People of all ages undergo this intestinal disorder and what happens inside their body is that water is either not absorbed properly or is secreted profusely by their internal organs. Food poisoning, allergy to certain foods or drugs, an infection in the gastrointestinal tract or an associated disease can cause diarrhea.
A heating pad on the belly can ease the abdominal cramps but that alone is not enough to treat the disorder. There are some over the counter anti-diarrheal medication such as Pedialyte, Rehydralite and Ricelyte. They contain the ideal supplements of minerals and fluids. But there are several natural remedies which help the body to return to normalcy.
Fruits That Control Diarrhea
While certain fruits such as apple and pear juices can make the disorder worse, there are many that aid in calming the stomach. They are as follows:
- Two glasses of grape juice in water is a certain remedy to diarrhea caused by allergies.
- Boiled papaya is effective.
- A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with water can be taken along with meals.
- Decoction of guava leaves help the patient.
- Pomegranate has astringent properties and is a great remedy when the patient get dehydrated and weak from continuous purging. Repeated doses of 50ml of pomegranate juice can control diarrhea.
- Fresh gooseberry or amla (Indian gooseberry) juice mixed with lemon juice and sugar helps.
- Cooking or baking apples softens the cellulose in them and makes them fit for the disturbed stomach.
- Fresh tomato juice can be given mixed with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Bananas with curd help because they contain pectin which encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria.
Starches That Control Diarrhea
- A teaspoon of charred parboiled rice, mixed with a glass of buttermilk, should be given in small doses of thirty grams, every half an hour, to produce good result.
- Boiling sabudana or pearl sago and drinking it after cooling, along with salt and buttermilk is effective.
- Starchy liquids such as arrowroot water, barley water and coconut water replace the fluid lost and help in binding the stools.
Other Effective Liquids
- Clear liquids like water and broths can make you feel better.
- Taking 3 or 4 cups of buttermilk is the most effective treatment as it helps overcome harmful intestinal flora. The acid in buttermilk kills germs and bacteria.
- Chicken broth or any other broth can be had at lukewarm temperatures. They can be seasoned with a small amount of salt.
Seeds That Control Diarrhea
- One or two grams of powder made mango seeds, dried in the shade and powdered can be mixed with honey and given twice a day.
- Two tablespoons of roasted sesame seeds can be ground into fine powder and mixed with one tablespoon of clarified butter. A third of this when added to a cup of boiled goat's milk and taken thrice daily for six days can improve the condition of the stomach.
- Amaranth seeds and leaves are used to treat diarrhea.
- One teaspoon of boiled fenugreek (methi) seeds which should later be fried in butter can be taken with buttermilk twice a day. As they allay biliousness, they are beneficial.
Vegetables That Stabilize the Stomach
- Carrot soup supplies the body with water, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulphur, magnesium and pectin and also coats the intestine to allay inflammation. It checks the growth of harmful bacteria and prevents vomiting.
- One teaspoon of the juice of fresh leaves of drumstick can be mixed with honey and a glass of tender coconut water is a good medicine.
- Fenugreek (methi) leaves are also curative.
- A glass of plain bottle gourd juice taken with a pinch of salt will reduce the excessive thirst one feels during diarrhea.
- Garlic kills germs effectively, cleans the intestine of worms and aids digestion.
Spices and Herbs
- Turmeric being an intestinal antiseptic, a gastric stimulant and tonic, turmeric rhyzhome juice can be consumed as a medicine. Dried rhyzome powder may be taken in one cup of buttermilk or water.
- Rhubarb, aniseed, chamomile, thyme and meadowsweet are efficient natural home remedies for diarrhea.
- A quarter spoon of nutmeg powder mixed with ripe banana serves as a good remedy.
- One teaspoon of fresh mint juice mixed with a teaspoon each of lime juice and honey is an effective treatment.
- If caused by indigestion, fresh or dried ginger can be consumed. Ginger is a carminative, which aids digestion by stimulating the gastrointestinal tract. A piece of dry ginger can be powdered with rock salt and a quarter spoon of this can be consumed with a small piece of jaggery.
Food to Avoid
According to the National Digestive Disorders Information Clearing house, these foods can make explosive diarrhea worse and extend the period of suffering.
- Dairy products
- Fatty foods
- High fiber foods
- Highly Seasoned Foods
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
In case of emergencies try any of these home remedies, the ingredients of which are available right in our own kitchens. They are time tested and effective, without causing harmful side effects.
