Home Remedies and Herbs for Diarrhea

Diarrhea is loose, watery stool. It usually comes in higher volumes than normal and more frequently.¹ Acute diarrhea can last a day or two and is typically nothing to worry about. However, diarrhea that lasts longer than two days may be a sign of an underlying condition. Chronic diarrhea lasting more than four weeks--whether it’s continuous or it comes and goes--can be a symptom of a chronic condition.² Diarrhea can lead to fluid loss, causing dehydration and nutrient deficiencies.³

What Causes Diarrhea?

Causes of diarrhea range from less serious issues like changes in diet to more serious complications like chronic diseases. Some causes of diarrhea include:

• Viruses
• Bacterial infections
• Parasites
• Medications
• Lactose intolerance
• Fructose for people who have trouble digesting it
• Artificial sweeteners
• Surgery
• Digestive disorders like Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and irritable bowel syndrome⁴
• Food poisoning
• Stomach flu
• Colorectal cancer⁵

It’s important to talk to your doctor if your diarrhea persists for over three days, especially if you have diarrhea during pregnancy. Diarrhea during pregnancy is dangerous because you may become dehydrated, which can lead to early labor.⁶

Diarrhea Symptoms

You can tell you have diarrhea when your stool is loose and heavier than normal. You may also feel a sense of urgency when it’s time to go to the bathroom. Other diarrhea symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Cramping
• Nausea⁷

If you experience these more serious symptoms, it’s time to see your doctor:

• Blood or pus in the stool
• Black stool
• Fever
• Severe abdominal or rectal pain<
• Signs of dehydration⁷

Natural Remedies and Herbs for Diarrhea

Diarrhea treatment can be as simple as regulating your diet so you don’t upset your digestive system. However, it’s important to seek recommendations from your doctor if you’re experiencing severe symptoms or if you have diarrhea during pregnancy. For more acute symptoms, diarrhea home remedies include:

• Salt and Sugar - If you’re wondering what to eat when you have diarrhea, one of the best solutions is salt and sugar. Simply mix one teaspoon of sugar and a pinch of salt into a glass of water, and sip throughout the day.
• Baking Soda and Lemon - Another effective diarrhea treatment is a baking soda and lemon mixture. To soothe the stomach, mix ¹ teaspoon of baking soda into ¹ cup of water. Add a few drops of lemon juice. Drink once every three hours if symptoms persist.
• Pickle Juice- Pickle juice is one of the best diarrhea home remedies because it helps you retain water. It also contains vinegar, which can kill off diarrhea-causing bacteria if that’s the culprit of your symptoms.
• Flaxseed Oil - Flaxseed oil is a natural diarrhea treatment that can be taken both to prevent and to treat diarrhea. You can take it in supplemental capsules.
• Apple - When wondering what to eat when you have diarrhea, it’s important to get some fiber into your diet to harden your stool and promote intestinal health. One of the best diarrhea home remedies is to peel the skin off a fresh apple and boil it in 6 ounces of water. Discard the apple pieces, and then drink the water to ease your symptoms.

References

1. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diarrhea/basics/definition/con-20014025
2. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/digestive-diseases/diarrhea/Pages/facts.aspx
3. https://draxe.com/3-steps-cure-diarrhea/
4. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diarrhea/basics/causes/con-20014025
5. http://www.uofmhealth.org/conditions-treatments/digestive-and-liver-health/diarrhea
6. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/diarrhea
7. http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART00344/diarrhea.html