Home remedies can have a great effect on diarrhea.
Diarrhea (diarrhea) means the release of liquid and watery stools.
With diarrhea, there are more than three bowel movements per day.
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What can you eat? Diet and nutrition
As long as the diarrhea persists, caffeine should be avoided, as well as fatty, fiber-rich and sweet foods; in this way, the symptoms can be alleviated and a worsening of the condition can be avoided.
Some people have trouble digesting milk sugar (lactose) during or after a diarrhoea attack. Yogurt contains less lactose than milk and is usually better tolerated.
Yogurt with live lactic acid bacteria helps patients with severe diarrhea to recover faster.
For symptom relief, the diet should be changed; recommended foods include:
- Bananas
- refined rice (white),
- boiled potatoes,
- toasted bread,
- Cracker
- boiled carrots,
- Courgette
- Pumpkin
- Ginger.
Bananas have a health-promoting effect on the colon and intestines in diarrhea.
Rice, orgeat, fresh vegetable juices (especially from carrots and celery) and clear broth help restore fluid and electrolyte balance.
Short-term fasting is the best “therapy” for a speedy recovery.
If the organism does not need to spend energy on digestion, it can focus on the infection.
In addition, bacteria and parasites no longer have food to multiply in this way.
Attention:
- There are contraindications (for example: pregnancy, patients with transplanted organs, etc.).
- One must not fast for more than 3 days without medical supervision.
For children, the doctor may recommend a special diet.
When the diarrhea has passed, the children are allowed to eat normally and healthily again, if there is no food intolerance.
Newborns with diarrhea continue to drink breast milk or whatever else they consume, along with an oral rehydration solution (WHO drinking solution).
Some children have difficulty digesting lactose for up to a month after diarrhea.
Nutrition and dietary supplements
Probiotics – Lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus or bifidobacteria can be taken in powder or capsule form and promote healthy gut flora.
Lactic acid bacteria are able to break down lactose.
They can relieve diarrhea, even if the scientific evidence is conflicting.
Probiotic yogurt can help prevent diarrhea. Immunocompromised individuals or those taking medications to suppress the immune system should talk to the doctor before taking probiotics.
Saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast fungus commonly used in Europe to prevent antibiotic-induced diarrhea. Take 1-3 capsules daily.
Can be combined with other probiotics.
Saccharomyces boulardii should only be taken under medical supervision.
Glutamine (3,000 mg 3 times daily) can be used to treat diarrhea caused by irritation of the intestinal lining.
High doses of glutamine can cause mental disorders in sensitive people. Glutamine may interact with other medicines, including some antiepileptic drugs and chemotherapeutic agents.
Those who suffer from lactose intolerance should consider taking lactase before consuming dairy products.
Zinc (10-20 mg per day) can improve the functioning of the immune system.
Plants and herbs
Without prior consultation with the doctor, healing plants should not be used to treat diarrhea, especially in children.
If the diarrhea is caused by certain infections, a medicinal plant treatment could aggravate the situation.
Below are the main natural remedies for diarrhea.
- Unless otherwise stated, they are prepared as tea. Use 1 tsp herbs per cup.
- Cover for 5-10 minutes (leaves and flowers) or 10-20 minutes (roots).
- Drink 2-4 cups daily.
- Discuss with the doctor which plants and herbs are allowed to be used.
Astringent plants:
Astringent plants, such as the leaves of blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) or raspberry (Rubus idaeus) help the intestinal mucosa to “dry out”.
To prepare the tea, take a heaped teaspoon per cup. Drink 1/2 cup every hour.
- The powder of carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua) is rich in fiber.
- Blueberry extract (Vaccinum myrtillus) has an astringent effect. Do not use blueberry if anticoagulants are taken. Blueberry can interact with diabetes medicines.
- Arable herb (Agrimonia eupatorium) is a well-known remedy for diarrhea. The dosage is 3 g (about <>/<> tsp) per day.
Anti-inflammatory remedies
Quercetin (250-500 mg 2 to 4 times a day) is a natural dye from the group of flavonoids with anti-inflammatory effect.
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is usually prepared in the form of chamomile tea.
Or add 3-4 g of soluble powder (about 3 tsp) to a cup of hot water, stir and let cool. Drink three times a day. This old home remedy can interfere with the effect of hormonal preparations.
Lemon. In the morning, drink a glass of freshly squeezed lemon juice mixed with 1 tsp bicarbonate.
The root of marshmallow (Althea officinalis) can be drunk as a cold infusion. To do this, add 2 tablespoons of marshmallow root to a liter of water and leave to infuse overnight. Stir and drink throughout the day. Marshmallow can interfere with some oral medications, including lithium agents.
Red elm powder (Ulmus fulva). 30 g of powder per 1 liter of water. Mix the powder with a little water so that a paste is formed, then gradually add water and cook on a low heat. Take one teaspoon every 30-60 minutes.
Plants against infections:
Plants containing berberine can help treat infection-related diarrhea.
These include barberry (Berberis vulgaris) and Canadian turmeric (Hydrastis canadensis).
Pregnant and lactating women must not consume a Berberine.
In the seed coats of Plantago ovata (plant species from the genus of plantain) is found the fiber-rich psyllium, which counteracts diarrhea.
This substance binds the water in the colon, which leads to a thickening of the stool. Psyllium must be taken with plenty of water.
Read more
- Traveler’s diarrhea: symptoms and treatment
- Diarrhea forms and classification according to duration
- Diet for diarrhea
