Have you fallen victim to the stomach flu or any other nasty stomach virus? As the weather changes we are sometimes faced with new health challenges such as Staph aureus or E.coli food poisoning, Rotavirus infections or just plain bloating and indigestion from one too many summer parties. One of the most common symptoms of stomach upset is diarrhea. Occasional bouts of diarrhea while not something to be too concerned about are sure to cause great discomfort and sometimes plain outright misery. Instead of reaching for the bottle of Pepto-Bismol, why not try some great natural remedies that can help you shorten stomach upset and diarrhea?
Kefir. King of probiotics, kefir is number one on the list of natural remedies because of its many health benefits. It is a yogurt like drink with a slightly lower PH due to its high numbers of fermenting bacteria. It is especially beneficial in restoring gastrointestinal health by supplying your gut with healthful bacteria that will help you bring back your normal flora. Kefir is available at specialty food stores. I recommend getting your own kefir grains from a trusted supplier and making it at home. It's a very simple easy to learn process that will provide you with a great weapon to fight viruses and bacteria that can wreck havoc on your gastrointestinal health. Kefir can shorten a bout of diarrhea from a couple of days to just a few hours.
Ginger is known for relieving nausea and vomiting as well as diarrhea. Research shows that certain constituents of ginger relieve stomach cramps and spasms by stimulating stomach activity. Fresh ginger root tea can improve resistance to viral infections such as the stomach flu. Ginger tea combines well with other stomach remedies such as cinnamon, and licorice.
Chamomile This versatile great tasting tea is known for relieving digestive and inflammatory conditions. It can be safely taken by children and even babies. Chamomile soothes colic pain and stomach acidity associated with diarrhea. If taste is a problem honey can be added for sweetness. Besides regular tea bags chamomiles flowers can also be purchased and infused for about ten minutes before drinking.
Raspberry leaf. Another wonderful antidiarrheal raspberry leaf aids in the relief of severe cramps caused by the viral release of toxins. Raspberry leaves are rich in calcium and iron and help with the loss of electrolytes during a bout of diarrhea by replenishing your phosphorous and manganese as well as vitamins A, B, C and D.
Aloe. Just as versatile as Chamomile, Aloe is known mostly for its healing properties in the treatment of burns and skin rashes. What a lot of people don't know is that Aloe gel it is also useful for treating heartburn, abdominal discomfort, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and diarrhea. Some of the latest research shows that Aloe vera positively stimulates the immune system and it should only be taken internally in its gel form under the advice of a professional herbalist or Naturopathic doctor. Most commonly for internal consumption, Aloe is found in the form of juice. To relieve gastrointestinal discomfort try drinking a couple of ounces a day with a meal.
Licorice is highly beneficial to the entire gastrointestinal tract. It cleanses the colon, supports the liver and has a long history of successful use in the treatment of gastric and peptic ulcers. By increasing the mucosal lining of the intestines it helps protect against increased acid production during a bout of diarrhea. The most common form found in many markets today is DGL where one of the components of licorice called glycyrrhetic acid has been taken out to eliminate its potential for causing high blood pressure.
Finally, you should watch what you eat when you have diarrhea. Your best bet is to eat simple food with little or no seasoning. When in doubt follow the B.R.A.T. diet. B stands for boiled potatoes, R stands for rice, not fried rice just plain white rice, A stands for apples, preferably green apples, and T stands for Toast. If your symptoms last for more than two days you can add skinless boiled chicken, pretzels or soda crackers to your diet. To avoid dehydration, drink beverages that are electrolyte rich like liquid minerals or Gatorade.
Of course if your diarrhea persists for more than a few days and you suspect an infection such as in the case of bloody stools, consult a physician immediately.
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