Natural diarrhea medicine that can stop wasting

Experiencing diarrhea certainly doesn't taste good. In addition to making your stomach upset, you are also tired of having to go back and forth to finish things in the restroom. Diarrhea generally can be cured in 2-3 days with enough water and rest. However, there is nothing wrong with trying natural diarrhea remedies that can help cure diarrhea faster. So, what herbal medicines are safe for treating diarrhea?

Home-made natural diarrhea medication to relieve loose stools at home

You can usually treat your problem with passing stools with generic diarrhea medication at a pharmacy. However, diarrhea, which is still a mild diarrhea symptom, can still be treated using natural home remedies.

Natural remedies are sometimes more sought after because they are believed to have fewer side effects when compared to chemical drugs. In addition, most of these natural ingredients are classified as safe to use for pregnant women.

1. Water

Consuming lots of fluids can be a natural diarrhea remedy while preventing dehydration. Slowly increase the portion of fluids you drink, at least 1 liter per hour for 1-2 hours.

Although including liquids, alcohol and caffeine are not natural remedies for diarrhea. Both contain caffeine, which can make you urinate more frequently, which can worsen diarrhea symptoms.

2. Homemade ORS

You are prone to dehydration during diarrhea because the body loses a lot of fluids that pass out in the feces. Apart from fluids, essential nutrients and minerals stored in the body can also be lost.

For that, in addition to drinking water, you are also advised to drink ORS. ORS is a drug that functions to replace electrolyte levels and body fluids that have been lost due to diarrhea. Doctor Donald Kirby, MD, director of the Cleveland Clinic's Center for Human Nutrition also confirmed ORS as a powerful drug for treating diarrhea.

Sugar and salt are electrolyte minerals that hold liquid. Salt can hold fluid stores in the body, while sugar helps your body absorb salt. These two combinations help the body avoid lack of fluids that can worsen your diarrhea symptoms.

So, if you are not strong enough to go to the pharmacy and buy it yourself, you can mix ORS yourself as a natural medicine for diarrhea. It's easy, you just dissolve 6 teaspoons of granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 1 liter of water. Stir well, and drink a glass (250 ml) every 4-6 hours.

3. Ginger tea

Ginger is a spice that has been widely used as a natural remedy to treat stomach discomfort. It is anti-inflammatory, painkiller, antibacterial, and contains antioxidants, ginger can soothe a choked stomach caused by diarrhea.

A study has shown that substances in ginger can work to block toxins from bacteria that cause diarrhea in the stomach. Ginger also helps prevent fluids from building up in the intestines. So, the feeling of nausea, vomiting, or stomach cramps is reduced when you eat it.

Another study in 2015 also demonstrated ginger's ability to fight listeria and E. Coli by slowing down the growth of these bacteria.

Now, to use it as a natural diarrhea remedy, you just have to cut ginger into several slices and boil it with water. You can also mix it with tea, lemon, or honey for added flavor.

4. Chamomile and marshmallow root

There are several herbs that can be used as natural diarrhea remedies, one of which is chamomile and marshmallow root.

Chamomile contains anti-inflammatory active substances that can soothe the stomach from nausea and bloating. Likewise with marshmallow root which is usually used as a natural remedy to treat inflammation of the stomach lining.

Indeed, this plant is not well known in Indonesia, but you can get it through online shopping sites.

To use chamomile as a natural diarrhea remedy, boil some dried chamomile flower stalks until it boils. Pour into a glass and let it cool a little, after which the chamomile tea is ready to drink. To make it more delicious, you can add honey and lemon juice.

Meanwhile, to process marshmallow root, you only need to measure out 2 tablespoons of dry marshmallow root and mix it in 1 liter of water. Let stand for the whole day, strain, and drink like tea.

5. White pepper

You do not eat spicy food during diarrhea. But make no mistake, white pepper has the potential to be used as a natural diarrhea remedy.

White pepper is a pepper seed that is processed when it is fully ripe and then dried. Dried white pepper is usually used to treat stomach aches, diarrhea, and cholera because it contains piperine. Piperine is reported to relieve pain and reduce inflammation in the body.

A study in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine found consumption of roasted white pepper seeds drastically reduced the frequency of diarrhea pain in infants and children under 2.5 years.

Although the effect is tantalizing, further research is still needed to prove whether consumption of white pepper is truly effective in treating diarrhea.

6. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is made from fermented apple extract. This fermentation produces pectin compounds which help the growth of good bacteria in the intestines. The presence of good bacteria can smooth the channels in the digestive system and prevent inflammation that is commonly experienced during diarrhea.

Apple cider vinegar has natural antibiotic properties that can destroy bacteria such as E. Coli and Salmonella. For this reason, apple cider vinegar is considered only effective for treating diarrhea caused by a bacterial infection.

Unfortunately, again, further research is still very much needed. The reason is, the fermentation process of apples also produces acetic acid, which in some people can actually make diarrhea worse.

Natural diarrhea medicine in the form of herbal supplements

In addition to their own concoctions, there are several supplements from herbal plants that are usually taken to treat diarrhea, including the following.

1. Psyllium husk supplements

Another supplement that you can choose as a natural diarrhea remedy is psyllium husk. This supplement is made from Plantago ovata seed fibers , whose active substance is like a bulk laxative diarrhea medicine.

The potential of psyllium husk supplements as a natural diarrhea remedy is to normalize bowel movements and increase stool thickness. In addition, this supplement also acts as a prebiotic, that is, it becomes food for good bacteria to grow so that the numbers return to balance in the intestines and nourish the digestive system.

2. Probiotic supplements

When you have diarrhea, your digestive system has problems. This condition can make the number of good bacteria in the intestine less than bad bacteria. In order to rebalance the number of good bacteria in the gut, you can take supplements that contain probiotics.

Probiotic supplements are supplements fortified with bacteria that are similar to the good bacteria in the gut. The goal of increasing the number of bacteria from this supplement can be a natural diarrhea remedy because it can fight the bacteria that cause diarrhea that infects the intestines.

In order for the body to recover quickly from diarrhea, choose a supplement that contains lactobacillus, acidophilus, or bifidobacteria. In the market, this supplement is available in powder or capsule form.

3. Zinc supplements

Apart from probiotic supplements, zinc supplements can also be the herbal medicine of choice for treating diarrhea. Zinc sulfate, zinc acetate, and zinc gluconate supplements can help build protein, support cell growth and differentiation, improve immune function, improve circulation of water and electrolytes in the intestine.

Digestive problems, such as diarrhea, are related to a lack of zinc levels in the body. Therefore, this supplement can help relieve diarrhea in someone who is deficient in zinc.

Consult a doctor before using natural diarrhea medications

The natural ingredients mentioned above do have potential as natural diarrhea remedies and you can freely choose which one is the right medicine. However, it should be emphasized that the use of herbal medicines must be supervised by a doctor.

Some things that need to be underlined if you want to treat diarrhea with natural remedies, including:

• avoid using probiotic supplements if you are currently using immune-suppressing drugs,
• make sure if you do not have allergies to the natural ingredients mentioned,
• marshmallow root can affect the performance of medications containing lithium, if you are taking lithium medication, you should avoid marshmallow root, and
• consult a doctor about managing diarrhea with ORS, especially if you have hypertension.

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