Diarrhea is defined as loose, watery stools more than three times per day. Diarrhea can be a symptom of many health conditions such as flu, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, food poisoning or food allergies. Sometimes it is better to let diarrhea run its course and flush your system, but if it becomes persistent, there are multiple home remedies for diarrhea.
Diet
Consume a clear diet of foods such as chicken broth, Jell-O and clear fluids. This will allow your bowels a chance to rest. Slowly introduce rice, bananas, applesauce or yogurt as you start to feel better. Take probiotics or eat food with healthy bacteria such as yogurt. Lactobacillus acidophilus is a healthy bacterium that replenishes the good bacteria in the stomach.
Other food remedies that bind the bowel and slow the course of diarrhea include pectin, carob powder, barley, bananas and Swiss cheese.
Keep fluid levels high to replenish lost fluids and avoid dehydration. Fluids with salt or small amounts of sugar help replace glucose and minerals the body loses. You can add 1 tsp. sugar and a pinch of salt to 1 quart of water. A better-tasting mix can be made with ½ tsp. of honey or corn syrup, a pinch of salt and 8 oz. of water or juice. Gatorade is a good choice, as it contains glucose and electrolytes.
Avoid dairy products, beans, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. Also avoid foods that contain large amounts of carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, wheat products, apples, pears, peaches, prunes, corn, oats, potatoes and processed bran. Avoid carbonated beverages, as the gas they contain could aggravate diarrhea.
Bilberry
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is a relative of the blueberry and grows in North America, Europe and northern Asia. Bilberry is also known as European blueberry, whortleberry or huckleberry. Bilberry helps diarrhea and can be eaten or made into extracts. Bilberry can also be made into tea.
Chamomile
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita, Chamomilla recutita) is used to treat gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea. There are two types of chamomile that are beneficial to health, German chamomile and Roman chamomile. German chamomile is more commonly used in the United States. The flowering tops of the chamomile plant make tea, liquid extracts, mouth rinse, capsules or tablets.
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