Since diarrhea is your body's way of getting rid of toxins, it is best to let it run its course. However, you may use over-the-counter antidiarrheal remedies for convenience, including: Attapulgite (Kaopectate)
In many cases, diarrhea will go away on its own. However, in severe cases your doctor may prescribe diphenoxylate and atropine (Lomotil). Your doctor also may prescribe antibiotics if the diarrhea is due to a bacterial infection.
Over-the-Counter
Since diarrhea is your body's way of getting rid of toxins, it is best to let it run its course. However, you may use over-the-counter antidiarrheal remedies for convenience, including:
Attapulgite (Kaopectate)
Loperamide (Imodium)
Bismuth sub-salicylate (Pepto-Bismol)
DO NOT take bismuth sub-salicylate with the herbs meadowsweet (Spirea ulmaria), white willow (Salix alba), or wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens).
Complementary and Alternative Therapies
Work with your doctor to find remedies that are right for you. If you are pregnant, or thinking of becoming pregnant, DO NOT use any complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) therapies unless directed to do so by your doctor.
Nutrition and Supplements
Electrolytes. Correcting dehydration is critical, especially among children. Oral rehydration solutions containing sugar and electrolytes are important in managing children with dehydration from diarrheal illness.
Correcting dehydration is critical, especially among children. Oral rehydration solutions containing sugar and electrolytes are important in managing children with dehydration from diarrheal illness. Rice or barley water, fresh vegetable juices (especially carrot and celery), miso broth, or other clear broths help restore proper fluid and electrolyte balance. Make rice and barley water using 1 cup of raw grain to 1 quart of boiling water. Steep for 20 minutes. Strain and drink throughout the day.
Probiotics. Lactobacillus GG, acidophilus, or bifidobacteria, taken as powder or in capsules. Help maintain the "good" bacteria in your intestines. They may help alleviate diarrhea, although scientific evidence is mixed. Active culture yogurt containing these probiotics may help prevent diarrhea. People who are severely immunocompromised, or on immune-suppressive drugs, should speak with their doctor before taking probiotics.
Lactobacillus GG, acidophilus, or bifidobacteria, taken as powder or in capsules. Help maintain the "good" bacteria in your intestines. They may help alleviate diarrhea, although scientific evidence is mixed. Active culture yogurt containing these probiotics may help prevent diarrhea. People who are severely immunocompromised, or on immune-suppressive drugs, should speak with their doctor before taking probiotics. A live yeast, Saccharomyces boulardii, is often used in Europe to prevent diarrhea associated with taking antibiotics. May be taken with other probiotics. Rare but serious cases of infection in seriously ill patients have been reported, so do not take Saccraromyces boulardii without a doctor's supervision.
Bovine colostrum, the pre-milk fluid secreted by a cow's mammary glands just after giving birth, may help treat some kinds of infectious diarrhea. Only use reliable colostrum products.
Glutamine may help treat diarrhea caused by irritation of the intestinal lining. High doses of glutamine can potentially cause mania in susceptible individuals. Glutamine can interfere with certain medications, including some antiseizure medications and some chemotherapy agents. People with liver disease, or a history of manic episodes, should use glutamine only under the supervision of their physician.
may help treat diarrhea caused by irritation of the intestinal lining. High doses of glutamine can potentially cause mania in susceptible individuals. Glutamine can interfere with certain medications, including some antiseizure medications and some chemotherapy agents. People with liver disease, or a history of manic episodes, should use glutamine only under the supervision of their physician. If you are lactose intolerant, take over-the-counter lactase enzyme supplements before consuming dairy products.
Zinc may help improve immune and mucosal barrier functions.
may help improve immune and mucosal barrier functions. Stir-fried white pepper. In one study, treating children and infants under 2.5 years with stir-fried white pepper decreased the frequency of acute and persistent diarrhea.
Herbs
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DO NOT use herbs to treat diarrhea without talking to your doctor first. Always talk to your doctor before treating diarrhea in an infant. If your diarrhea is caused by certain types of infections, herbal treatments could make it worse. The most common herbal remedies for diarrhea are described below. They can be used as teas unless otherwise noted. Make teas 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. Always tell your doctor about any herbs you may be taking.
Astringent herbs:
Astringent herbs, such as blackberry leaf (Rubus fruticosus) or raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus), help "dry up" the mucous membranes in the intestine. Make a tea with one heaping tsp. per cup. Drink 1/2 cup per hour. There is some controversy around using these teas during pregnancy.
(Rubus fruticosus) or (Rubus idaeus), help "dry up" the mucous membranes in the intestine. Make a tea with one heaping tsp. per cup. Drink 1/2 cup per hour. There is some controversy around using these teas during pregnancy. Carob powder (Ceratonia siliqua), which is rich in fiber, may be dissolved into a commercial hydrating electrolyte replenishing drink. DO NOT give carob to a child unless directed to do so by your physician.
(Ceratonia siliqua), which is rich in fiber, may be dissolved into a commercial hydrating electrolyte replenishing drink. DO NOT give carob to a child unless directed to do so by your physician. Extract of bilberry (Vaccinum myrtillus) also has astringent properties. DO NOT take bilberry if you take anticoagulants (blood thinners). Bilberry can also potentially interact with diabetes medications.
(Vaccinum myrtillus) also has astringent properties. DO NOT take bilberry if you take anticoagulants (blood thinners). Bilberry can also potentially interact with diabetes medications. Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatorium) is a traditional remedy for diarrhea. Agrimony can have a blood-thinning effect and can lower blood pressure. Speak with your doctor before taking agrimony if you are dealing with these health issues.
Inflammation reducers:
Quercetin , a plant-based flavonoid, may help to reduce inflammation.
, a plant-based flavonoid, may help to reduce inflammation. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is usually taken as a tea. Chamomile can interfere with hormonal medications and can cause reactions in people allergic to ragweed.
(Matricaria recutita) is usually taken as a tea. Chamomile can interfere with hormonal medications and can cause reactions in people allergic to ragweed. Marshmallow root (Althea officinalis) can be taken as cold-water tea. Soak 2 tbs. root in 1 quart of water overnight. Strain. Drink throughout the day. Marshmallow can interfere with some medications taken by mouth, including lithium.
(Althea officinalis) can be taken as cold-water tea. Soak 2 tbs. root in 1 quart of water overnight. Strain. Drink throughout the day. Marshmallow can interfere with some medications taken by mouth, including lithium. Slippery elm powder (Ulmus fulva) or marshmallow root powder (Althaea officinalis) can be soothing to the intestines. Make a paste with the powder and a small amount of water. Gradually add in the rest of the water and then simmer down to 1 pint. Slippery elm has a folk reputation of promoting miscarriage. It can also interfere with some medications.
Infection fighters:
Plants containing berberine may help treat infectious diarrhea. These include barberry (Berberis vulgaris ),goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), and Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium). DO NOT take berberine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Check with your doctor first if you are taking any prescription medicines.
Bulk forming agent:
Psyllium, a soluble fiber that comes from the husks of the seeds of a plant called Plantago ovata, may help treat diarrhea. It is a bulk-forming agent that soaks up water in the colon, helping to firm stool. Take psyllium with a large amount of water. People with inflammatory bowel disease should speak to their doctors before taking psyllium. Be aware that although doctors fiber agents like psyllium may help with diarrhea, they are more commonly used as a laxative to treat constipation. Speak to your doctor before using psyllium to treat diarrhea.
Homeopathy
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Some evidence suggests that homeopathic treatment may help diarrhea. In one study, children with acute diarrhea who received an individualized homeopathic treatment for 5 days had diarrhea for significantly less time than children who had placebo. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional type, includes your physical, emotional, and intellectual makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate remedy for a particular individual. Some of the most effective homeopathic remedies include:
Arsenicum album. For foul-smelling diarrhea from food poisoning or traveler's diarrhea with burning sensation in the abdomen and around the anus. This remedy is most appropriate for individuals who feel exhausted yet restless and whose symptoms tend to worsen in the cold and improve with warmth. Vomiting may also occur. You may also use arsenicum to prevent diarrhea when traveling.
Chamomilla. For greenish, frothy stool that smells like rotten eggs. Used primarily for children, especially those who are irritable, argumentative, and difficult to console. Practitioners commonly recommend chamomile for colicky or teething infants.
Calcarea carbonica. For children who fear being in the dark or alone, and who perspire heavily while sleeping. Stools may have a sour odor.
Mercurius. For foul-smelling diarrhea that may have streaks of blood accompanied by a sensation of incomplete emptying. This remedy is most appropriate for people who tend to feel exhausted following bowel movements, experience extreme changes in body temperature, perspire heavily, and have a thirst for cold fluids.
Podophyllum. For explosive, gushing, painless diarrhea that becomes worse after eating or drinking. Exhaustion often follows bowel movements. The individual for whom this remedy is appropriate may experience painful cramps in lower extremities. Practitioners may use podophyllum in infants for diarrhea experienced from teething.
Sulphur. For irritable and weepy children. They may have a red ring around the anus and diarrhea with the odor of rotten eggs.
Veratrum album. For profuse, watery diarrhea accompanied by stomach cramps, bloated abdomen, vomiting, exhaustion, and chills. The diarrhea is worsened by fruit, and the individual craves cold liquids.
Acupuncture
Although several studies in Traditional Chinese Medicine journals have reported success in treating childhood diarrhea, acupuncturists in the United States do not generally treat this condition in children. However, acupuncture may be used when conventional treatment has failed. In this case, acupuncturists look at both the nutritional value and the "energetic" qualities of food that might be affecting digestion.
Acupuncture is also combined with conventional medicine in treating diarrhea in adults.
Acupuncturists treat people with diarrhea based on an individualized assessment of the excesses and deficiencies of qi located in various meridians. In the case of diarrhea, a qi deficiency is usually detected in the spleen meridian. As a result, acupuncture treatments often focus on strengthening this meridian. Acupuncturists often use moxibustion (a technique in which the herb mugwort is burned over specific acupuncture points) because they believe it reaches deeper into the body than needling alone.
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