Do you struggle with unexpected bouts of diarrhea? Are you wondering how to get rid of it without resorting to over-the-counter medication?
Diarrhea can cause you to lose more than five gallons of fluids every day. While most diarrhea lasts from one to two days, there are some illnesses that cause long-term diarrhea. If you’re dealing with an ongoing condition, you might want to call your doctor.
In this article, we’ll cover seven natural remedies for diarrhea. You might be surprised to learn that there is a wide range of home remedies that actually work!
1. Take a 15-Minute Rest
Diarrhea is a sign that our bodies give us when they’re trying to clear out a sickness. If you’re a habitual over-eater, you might find that you get diarrhea on a regular basis. Your body could also be trying to pass foods that you’ve got a low-grade allergy to, like dairy products.
If you are struck by a sudden attack of diarrhea, drink a small glass of water and take a 15-minute rest. Relaxing your body is a great way to start the healing process. You might be hungry, but it’s a good idea to relax for a little while before you ingest any food.
2. Drink Clear Juice or Broth
Once you’ve rested for a while, try to eat something that your body can handle.
You can drink clear juice like apple juice, but you’ll want to stay away from citrus juices that can irritate your stomach. Likewise, skip the heavy fruit juices like plum, carrot, and pear. They are tasty, but it might be too much for your stomach.
If you’re having a major problem with diarrhea, you can sip from a cup of chicken broth or beef broth. They shouldn’t irritate your stomach. Make sure you’re not eating a cup of soup, though. Even though the vegetables are soft, they could still be too much for your body to handle.
3. Make a Cup of Tea
Herbal tea can be a quick home remedy for diarrhea, but you have to make sure you’re taking the right kind. Chamomile is well-known as a stomach soother, and there are teas that have peppermint, licorice, or turmeric in them that work as well.
Make sure you’re not taking any tea that has a diuretic effect. You don’t want to put any more strain on your intestines.
If you’re not really into hot teas, you can make a cup of tea and then cool it in your freezer for about half an hour. Your body doesn’t really care if you’re drinking hot or cold liquids, just that you’re drinking something mild. Just stay away from dairy products, yogurt drinks, and protein drinks.
If you can, stock up on toilet paper and herbal tea. This company has great bulk options for tea and TP.
4. Eat Some Rice
Rice has a reputation as a binding agent, so eat a bit of rice if you can stomach it. If you can, take it plain without any butter or salt.
We’re not talking about a lot of rice, just a cup or so if you can handle it. If you feel okay, eat some rice about every half hour until you have solid stools again.
Once you feel better, you can have chicken or beef with your rice. Avoid beans, because they can trigger diarrhea again. If you suffer from regular diarrhea or constipation, take a look at your diet. You might be allergic to certain foods.
5. Take a Teaspoon of Honey
Surprisingly, honey has antibacterial properties. If you’ve got an underlying infection that is causing your diarrhea, taking a teaspoon of honey can be an effective remedy.
Just make sure that you’re getting pure honey. Too often, grocery stores sell honey that has been mixed with sugar. You should look for a label that says “100% pure honey.” Just take some honey before you eat your rice, or put it into your tea.
6. Have Some Applesauce
Applesauce is one of the greatest home remedies for diarrhea. If you can, get the unsweetened applesauce and try to eat about one cup every hour or so. You can mix and match these remedies: have a cup of tea, eat some rice, and eat some applesauce.
Don’t tax your stomach, though. If you start to eat any of these foods and feel dizzy or nauseous, take a break and lay down. Also, if your diarrhea lasts more than a day or two, it’s definitely time to see a doctor.
7. Eat a Slice of Toast
If you have to go to work or school, toast can be a quick remedy for diarrhea. Again, avoid putting butter or jelly on it and just eat it plain. You don’t want to introduce too many foods back into your diet too quickly. Also, your body is trying to rid itself of a sickness.
The best toast for diarrhea is whole grain or rye. Try to avoid processed foods like white bread and jelly.
These have high-fructose corn syrup. Instead, look for jams that don’t have a lot of added sugar.
Finding the Best Natural Remedy for Diarrhea
Ultimately, the best natural remedy for diarrhea is the one that works best for you.
Try to rest. If you can’t rest, take one or two aspirin and at least put your feet up. Don’t try to do too much, and take the day off of work if you can. Sometimes, all your body needs is time to rest and relax.
Introduce new foods back into your diet slowly, and take it easy on those heavy meals for a few days. You might want to keep a food diary if you have regular diarrhea.
If you always get diarrhea after you eat dairy products, for example, it’s time to start phasing those out of your diet.
In general, take it slow and try these natural remedies. Call your doctor if your temperature goes above 100 degrees, and try to rest as much as you can. Check out our blog for more health tips and life hacks!