In simple terms, diarrhea is just loosening of stools. Persons suffering from diarrhea have an increased frequency of bowel movement. But certain conditions like rectal urgency (sudden and very strong urge of bowel movement) inability to control or delay bowel movement (incontinence of stools), urge for bowel movement soon after taking food and incomplete evacuation of stools are not considered as diarrhea.

Causes of diarrhea

One of the reasons for diarrhea is undigested food which reaches colon in liquid form. The colon which absorbs water in normal circumstances sends the undigested food mixed with water to the small intestine. This undigested food comes out in the form of loose stools. The other reason for diarrhea is an infection. Sometimes, bacteria or parasite lodged in the lining of the small intestine or colon, induces increase in secretion of water by the small intestine. Sometimes, they also cause inflammation of the small intestine and some bacteria prevent the colon from absorbing the required quantity of water. Thus, the colon just passes on the undigested food to the small intestine. Increased presence of water in the small intestine causes diarrhea because it loosens the stools. Some conditions of diarrhea last for one week and in severe cases it may last for two to three weeks.

Effects of diarrhea

In the normal course, diarrhea is not fatal, if properly treated. It may be accompanied by nausea and in rare cases it can cause failure of the kidney, weakness, shock, increased volume of acids in the blood (acidoses) and could even cause the patient to go into coma. Loss of essential electrolytes and potassium from the blood is the common feature of diarrhea.

Fluid loss caused by diarrhea may lead to dehydration. Lack of fluid in the body also affects the blood circulation. As a result, the patient can suffer heart attacks or strokes. This is particularly true in case of elderly persons. Pediatricians are of the opinion that in children and youngsters, diarrhea is less serious. It does not mean that it can be ignored. Enough care should be taken to prevent dehydration.

Cure for diarrhea

The treatment for diarrhea includes giving the patient sufficient quantity of electrolytes through the process of Oral Re-hydration System (ORS). Many medicines are available to fight infection of the intestine. Apart from this, there are home remedies for diarrhea which have been practiced since time immemorial. Doctors are of the opinion that most of these natural remedies for the condition are quite useful in providing the much needed relief to the patient and they prevent further complication of the disease. Physicians are of the opinion that the best diet for treating diarrhea is re-hydration by ORS method. These natural remedies for treating diarrhea are known to be effective and they cure the disease.

1. Home Remedies
2. Other Remedies

Home remedies for diarrhea

Carrot soup as a Home Remedy for diarrhea

Properties: This is a popular home remedy for curing diarrhea. One of the most widely available vegetables world over, carrots are extensively used in daily culinary preparation. Although carrot is a root vegetable, its leaves can also be used as they are rich in vitamins. According to nutrition experts, carrot also contains large amount of antioxidants, Vitamin A, minerals, dietary fibers etc. Carrot is considered to be very useful for improving the eyesight.

Using Carrot Soup as a Cure for diarrhea:

Cook about half kilogram of carrot in about 150 ml of water. After the carrot becomes spongy, smash and strain. Now, add about half spoon of salt and strain the pulp further till the salt dissolves. Give about two to four teaspoon of this soup every half an hour to the patient.

Fenugreek as a Home Remedy for diarrhea

Properties: This semi arid herb is commonly used in preparation of most Indian curries. According to researchers, Fenugreek is rich in some of the most vital bioactive constituents. Largely grown in India and other Asian countries, Fenugreek has many medicinal elements. It is very useful in combating diabetes, increasing secretion of milk in nursing mothers, fighting diarrhea etc.

Using Fenugreek as a Treatment for diarrhea:

Take one teaspoon of fenugreek and fry it with very little quantity of butter. Now, put the fried fenugreek in about quarter cup of water and boil it for about half an hour in low flame. Add this to about two cups of buttermilk. Take this mixture twice or thrice a day depending on the severity of diarrhea. This is considered to be one of the best diets for treating diarrhea.

Ginger as a Home Remedy for diarrhea

Properties: Ginger is a common ingredient used in many recipes, and is a good home remedy for many ailments. Ginger is the rhizome of the plant, which is then dried and it can be stored for many years. Dry ginger can also be used in cooking.

Using Ginger as a Treatment for diarrhea:

This is another popular home remedy for diarrhea caused by indigestion. Take a piece of ginger and few grains of crystal salt. Powder them. Take about half teaspoon of this powder and mix it with equal quantity of jaggery. Take this medicine thrice daily. You can adjust the dosage depending on the severity.

Mint as a Cure for diarrhea

Properties: This flowering plant gets its name from the Greek word ‘Mintha’ and is widely used the world over in daily culinary preparations. This aromatic herb has leaves widely spread out at the bottom and arranged in opposite pairs, which are considered to have antiseptic and anti-pyritic characteristics. They are used in treating stomach ache and as a tooth paste to whiten the teeth. It is considered to be the best remedy to cure insect bites. It also fights common cold etc.

Using Mint as a Treatment for diarrhea:

Take one teaspoon mint juice and add equal quantity of fresh lemon juice and honey. Give this mixture to the patient thrice a day.

Bottle Gourd as a Cure for diarrhea

Properties: Also called long melon, Calabash and Opo Squash, this vegetable has greenish white skin and white flesh. It can be used fully dried or in the juice format.

Using Bottle Gourd as a Treatment for diarrhea:

This is another natural remedy to prevent dehydration. A glass of Bottle Gourd Juice with a pinch of salt will prevent thirst caused by loss of fluid from the body.

Drumstick leaves as a Cure for diarrhea

Properties: Moringa oleifera as it is called in botanical language, drumstick is a lean tree with green stick-like fruits measuring about one to two feet from the branch. The leaves are highly nutritious and contain large amount of Vitamin C, potassium and iron. Drumstick also contains lot of antioxidants and alkaloids.

Using Drumstick as a Treatment for diarrhea:

Among all natural remedies, treatment using drumstick is considered to be most effective. Take fresh drumstick leaves and crush with a little water. To this juice add one teaspoon of honey and some tender coconut water. Take this mixture thrice or four times a day, depending on the severity of the disease.

Pomegranate as a Home Remedy for diarrhea

Properties: This deciduous plant grows in temperate regions and is considered to be one of the most delicious fruits. Pomegranate is one of the most ancient plants which find a place in ancient Hindu books of hymns and in the Book of Exodus. The fruit is red in color and inside the fruit are the seeds which are surrounded by red pulp and juice. The fruit is used in many culinary preparations and also in the preparation of many medicines. It is a cure for many cardiovascular diseases, reduces LDL and regulates systolic blood pressure. It has antibacterial properties and prevents dental plaque.

Using Pomegranate as a Treatment for diarrhea:

Pomegranate finds a place as a dependable cure among home remedies for diarrhea. Prepare juice out of the pomegranate fruit and add about one teaspoon of honey. Give this medicine to the patient once every two hours, depending on the severity of the diarrhea.

Sesame seeds as a Natural Remedy for diarrhea

Properties: Sesamum indicum in botanical language includes many species of sesame. It is largely grown in Asia and Africa. This flowering plant bears seeds which vary in color from blue, purple etc depending on the species. In Asian countries and in India in particular, sesame oil and seeds are used during daily rituals in many temples and homes and also in many culinary preparations. According to nutrition experts, sesame is rich in many vitamins, thiamine and minerals like copper, iron etc. It also contains anti nutrient phytic acid.

Using Sesame as a Treatment for diarrhea:

Fry about two teaspoons of sesame seeds and powder. Mix this powder with one teaspoon of cow’s ghee. Divide this mixture into three parts. Take one part and mix it with boiled goat’s milk. This medicine should be given thrice a day for about one week.

Turmeric Rhizome as a Natural Remedy for diarrhea

Properties: Called Curcuma Longa in botanical terms, the plant has long, green leaves. The Turmeric Rhizome is boiled for some hours, dried and then it is powdered to be used in cooking. In many Asian countries Turmeric Rhizome and powder are used in daily worship. The medicinal importance of Turmeric lies in its properties of preventing cancer, Alzheimer's disease. It is a good antiseptic medicine, antimicrobial and prevents superfluous hair on the body. It is for this reason that many women in India apply turmeric powder on their faces.

Using Turmeric as a Treatment for diarrhea:

Fry about two teaspoons of sesame seeds and powder. Mix this powder with one teaspoon of cow’s ghee. Divide this mixture into three parts. Take one part and mix it with boiled goat’s milk. This medicine should be given thrice a day for about one week.

Wild oregano as a Natural Remedy for diarrhea

Properties: Wild oregano, called Origanum vulgare in botanical language, this perennial herb which has purple flowers and is used in many culinary preparations. Wild oregano is also known for its medicinal properties. According to experts, it is very high in antioxidants and is also known to have antibacterial, anti-viral and anti-parasitic properties.

Using Wild Oregano as a Treatment for diarrhea:

Another natural treatment for curing diarrhea is to use Wild Oregano oil. Take about one teaspoon of oil and mix with buttermilk or water and take thrice a day.

Basil as a Natural Remedy for diarrhea

Properties: Extensively grown in India, Basil is considered the best remedy for various ailments. Called tulsi in India, most Hindu families worship this plant which is botanically termed Ocimum Tenuiflorum . The leaves are nearly purple. Tulsi is also known for its pleasant aroma. According to nutrition experts, Tulsi is rich in many antioxidants. It has the properties to regulate blood sugar, tone up immunological level, protect the health of the skin and even cure poison caused due to radiation and is known as the best medicine to cure cataract and regulate blood circulation to the brain. It is also considered to have antibacterial properties.

Using Basil (tulsi) as a Treatment for diarrhea:

According to the ancient Indian system of medicine, basil is one of the most trusted home remedies for diarrhea. Take about four to five basil leaves and about ¼ teaspoon of salt and about two pepper-corns (or about ¼ teaspoon of pepper powder). Crush all these ingredients and then mix it with about one cup of curd or buttermilk. Take this medicine thrice a day. The dosage can be suitably altered depending on the severity of the disease.

Other home remedies for curing diarrhea:

Buttermilk is considered to be one of the simplest treatments for diarrhea. You may add some salt and about two to three teaspoons of sugar to the buttermilk. Mix thoroughly with a spoon and drink at least four to five times a day, depending on the severity of diarrhea.

Collect mango seeds and dry them in the shade. When the seeds are fully dry, powder them and store in a bottle. Take about one teaspoon of this powder and add enough honey and administer this medicine to the patient twice a day. This powder can be preserved for quite a long time and it will not perish or become stale and this natural remedy for diarrhea is quite effective.

Another simple but effective treatment for preventing dehydration is to give fruit juice, tender coconut water or plain water with a pinch of salt and about one or two spoons of sugar.

Mix one teaspoon of powdered parboiled rice with one glass of buttermilk. Add salt to taste and give this mixture to the patient thrice or four times a day.

Another known natural remedy is to eat cooked or baked apples thrice a day. Add a pinch of salt to the baked apple.

Another proven diet for curing diarrhea is to add a pinch of salt and pepper to tomato juice and this should be given in the morning.

Tender coconut water, arrowroot water or barley water with salt is another known popular way to treat diarrhea. If one prefers, these can be mixed with butter milk. They thicken the stools and make up the lost water or fluid in the body.

The best natural remedies for treating diarrhea caused due to indigestion include giving the patient a ripe banana. Banana contains a hormone called pectin which is complex carbohydrate which aids useful bacteria in the body.

Garlic is yet another home remedy to treat diarrhea. Garlic is known to be quite effective in fighting bacteria.

The best remedy for curing diarrhea according to naturopaths is fasting. Take hot water to compensate the loss of fluid in the body and fast for about two days.

Another natural remedy to cure diarrhea is to apply cold pack on the abdomen. The recommended temperature is 15.6 degrees C. The other cold pack treatment recommended is on the hip. The recommended temperature for hip bath is 4.5 degree C. Fill the bath tub with cold water and allow the patient to stay in the water for about fifteen minutes. The water should be up to navel level.

One of the known natural remedies for curing diarrhea is ginger tea. It is particularly helpful for those who have cramps in the stomach.

The simple natural remedy for curing diarrhea is to stop alcohol, smoking and coffee and take herbal tea instead.

Charcoal is available in tablet form. It is found to be quite effective in reducing the severity of diarrhea. Nutrition experts say this is one of the most ancient natural remedies available.

In case of infants, breast feeding is the best diet for curing diarrhea. In fact pediatricians advise nursing mothers not to discontinue feeding the baby just because the baby is suffering from diarrhea. This is the best natural remedy to fight diarrhea.

Another home remedy for diarrhea is to add about three cups of water to grated fully ripe papaya. Boil the contents for about 10 minutes. If you prefer, add honey. Ensure that the patient takes this medicine on the same day it is prepared.

Fresh lemon juice or orange juice with a pinch of salt and sugar or honey is a very simple but most trusted home remedy for treating diarrhea.