There is nothing worse than one of those days where you have a wobbly tummy. You are walking around in clenched fear that at any moment you bowels may just evacuate themselves and you are left in a filthy pile of embarrassment. Everybody has experienced those days and trying to power on through can be difficult. However, there are ways to curb diarrhea naturally, without having to shove constipating pills down your throat or worry about messing yourself in public. Try one of these home remedies.
1. Yogurt
While you may think that dairy will only make it worse, in fact, yogurt can be very helpful. Choose an organic, natural yogurt and try to eat two bowls a day. Diarrhea usually occurs when there is an imbalance of bacteria in your stomach. Replacing the good bacteria with a probiotic like yogurt will mean they can fight off the bad bacteria, restoring the correct floral balance in your gut. Try adding a banana to give a little dietary fiber as well.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
To the homesteading herbal remedy lover, apple cider vinegar is a household must for so many medicinal uses. When it comes to diarrhea, apple cider vinegar helps to kill the bad bacteria in the stomach. Try putting two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into a glass of water. Down the solution, twice a day until the diarrhea has gone.
3. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile is best known for its relaxing properties, making you sleepy. However, those very same properties help to relax stomach cramps which come when you have diarrhea. By relaxing the stomach, the body does not go into such panic to evacuate itself. Moreover, chamomile tea reduces inflammation in the small intestine which helps to cure the diarrhea.
4. Goldenseal
Goldenseal is an age old remedy for diarrhea. It contains a compound known as berberine. This compound helps to kill off the bacteria which cause diarrhea, especially the very harmful ones like E.Coli. You take this in capsule form usually. Take one a day until it has cleared up.
5. Bananas
Bananas contain a substance called pectin. Pectin is a type of dietary fiber which is soluble. It soaks up excess fluid in the small intestine which slows down the process of release. Bananas are also quite bland which mean they do not irritate the stomach any further.
6. Ginger
Ginger is often used to alleviate sickness and to help with throat problems. However, ginger has powerful antioxidants as well as being an excellent anti-irritant. It alleviates irritation in the stomach lining and small intestine while helping to settle cramps and pain. It can be chewed on or left to infuse in hot water to make a tea.
7. Holy Basil
Holy basil, also known as tulsi, has been shown to help relieve the effect of diarrhea. However, in strong doses, it can make it worse. The best way to take it then, when you have diarrhea is as a supplement to limit the dose.
8. Do not eat spicy foods or citrus
Spicy foods and citrus are two things that irritate the lining of the stomach and the small intestine. Consuming these will make the condition worse. While this may seem obvious, sometimes people think lemon and honey tea will help; it won’t, it will make it worse if you’re not careful.
Diarrhea can be a huge problem. Luckily there are many things within the home that can be used to reduce the symptoms, without even having to leave the house!
