Nutrition and Diet for Diarrhea
Supplements for Diarrhea
Herbal Medicine for Diarrhea
Homeopathy for Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a symptom, and its treatment depends on the cause. In many cases for people with diarrhea, diarrhea is cured by removing the cause and suppressing the diarrhea until the body heals itself. For instance, diarrhea is cured when a person stops drinking coffee or cola drinks containing caffeine. A diarrhea due to a viral cause generally resolves by itself in 24 to 48 hours.

In many cases, diarrhea will disappear on its own within a few days. However, there are various drugs and other complementary medicine that may be employed to help treat symptoms of diarrhea. Your health care provider may suggest the following:

Avoid certain foods. Avoid coffee, chocolate, dairy products, fruit juices, fried and junk foods, strong spices, and other solid foods. These foods tend to aggravate diarrhea. Avoid alcohol as it is dehydrating.

Gradually build your diet. Introduce bland foods such as clear soup, rice, potatoes, crackers, white bread, applesauce and bananas as diarrhea gets better.. Make rice and barley water using 1 cup of raw grain to 1 quart of boiling water. Let steep for 20 minutes. Strain and drink throughout the day. Rice and barley water helps restore lost electrolytes due to diarrhea.

Get help from good bacteria. Probiotic bacteria or Lactobacillus are good bacterias that normally lives in our intestines and support the digestive process. Probiotic bacteria are available as powder or in capsules, and can also be found in yogurts. When taking lactobacillus or probiotic bacteria, follow the labels. Probiotic bacteria or lactobacillus helps normalize bowel flora and may help cure your diarrhea.

Taking supplements when your body is depleted with vitamins and minerals is helpful during diarrhea

There were studies that indicate that deficiency in zinc have been linked with diarrhea. When having diarrhea, it is advisable not to refrain from taking your usual vitamin and mineral supplements. This is when your body needs the most from your vitamin and mineral supplements.

Take supplements that contain soluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps to solidify the stool and thus treats diarrhea. Soluble fibers are available to most health and food stores. Follow the labels for directions.

Glutamine (3,000 mg three times per day) is found to be helpful in treating diarrhea that is caused by irritation of the intestinal lining rather than infection.

The use of herbal medicine is traditionally accepted for strengthening the body and treating symptoms. Herbs however should be taken with care and only under the supervision of a practitioner knowledgeable in the field of herbal medicine. Herbs contain active substances that may interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications.

The use of herbal medicine for the treratment of diarrhea is limited by its cause. If the diarrhea is caused by viral or bacterial infection, herbs may not be effective to provide relief and cure. You have to consult your medical practitioner before using herbal medicine for diarrhea.

Herbal medicine practioners may recommend the following for diarrhea treatment.

Diarrhea with swelling.

Quercetin , Marshmallow root (Althea officinalis) to be used as cold water tea taken throughout the day., Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

Diarrhea due to infection

Barberry (Berberis vulgaris), Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra).

Other herbs used for diarrhea

Blackberry leaf (Rubus fruticosus) or raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus), Carob powder; Slippery elm powder (Ulmus fulva) or marshmallow root powder (Althaea officinalis);

Herbal medicine for diarrhea described above are best used as teas. Teas should be made with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 to 4 cups per day. Or follow as directed by your herbalist

 

Homeopathic medicines has been proven to be effective in the treatment of diarrhea. Before prescribing a homeopathic rmedicine, the person's constitutional type is studied. This includes the physical, emotional, and intellectual makeup of a person. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate remedy for a particular individual.

• Arsenicum album - for diarrhea caused by food poisoning. Arsenicum album may also be used to prevent diarrhea when traveling
• Chamomilla. Used of the treatment of diarrhea with irritable, argumentative, and difficult to console; symptoms of diarrhea. This is commonly recommended for colicky or teething infants
• Mercurius - Used for the treatment of diarrhea with streaks of blood accompanied by a sensation of incomplete emptying
• Podophyllum -Used for the treatment of diarrhea that is explosive, gushing, urgent and forceful. * Pulsatilla - for diarrhea that occurs after consuming too much fruit or oily, greasy food;