Diarrhea

Frequent passage of unformed watery bowel movements. It is a frequent symptom of gastorintestinal disturbances. Types of diarrhea: Acute, dysenteric (see dysentery), emotional, epidemic (in newborns), fatty, infantile, lienteric, membranous, mucous, purulent, simple, summer, travelers'.

Causes

Diet; inflammation of the mucosa of the intestines; gastrointestinal infections; certain drugs; psychogenic factors. May be caused by incomplete digestion of food, food poisoning, stress, certain foods such as beans, infection, disease of the pancreas, cancer, drugs, laxatives, antacids, caffeine, parasites, colitis, viruses, bacteria or other microorganisms, consumption of water in foreign countries, foods or chemicals the body cannot tolerate, allergens, green fruits, and rancid foods.

Symptoms

Sometimes accompanied by vomiting. Runny stools, cramping, frequent bowel movements, thirst, and abdominal pain, and possibly a fever.

Treatment

Strong tea; whey; rice milk; arrowroot; corn flour; blackberry brandy. Gradual return to ordinary diet. Severe cases of diarrhea should be checked by a doctor, especially in children and infants. Loss of fluids can lead to dehydration and loss of minerals. Drink plenty of liquids, include hot carob drink, carrot juice, etc. If diarrhea persists or if there is blood in the stools, see the doctor. An allergy test to see if you have food allergies would be a good idea.
Herbal Medicine Formulas and Recipes
Chinese Formulas
Ayurvedic Formulas

Nutrients

Charcoal, 4 tablets every hour with water until the diarrhea subsides, (never take with other vitamins or drugs. Kelp, 5 tablets per day, replaces lost minerals. Garlic, 2 capsules 3 times per day, kills bacteria and parasites. Acidophilus, taken as directed on the label, replaces "friendly" bacteria. Calcium, 1,500 mg. per day, replaces the calcium depleted from the body and also helps in forming stools. Digestive enzymes, taken as directed with meals, is high in pancreatin, needed in normal digestive processes. Oat bran, 4 capsules at bedtime, helps in forming stools. Unsaturated fatty acids, taken as directed on the label, helps in forming stools. Vitamin B complex, taken as directed on the label. Vitamin C, 500 mg. 3 times per day. Vitamin D, 400 IU per day, is needed for calcium absorption. Vitamin E, 400 IU per day, Protects the cell membranes that line the colon wall.

Herbs

Agrimony
Alder
Allspice
Aloe
Alum, root, wild
Apple
Arbutus
Arnica
Arrowroot
Barberry
Bayberry bark
Bearberry
Beechdrop
Benne leaves
Bilberry
Birch
Birthroot
Bistort root
Bitterroot
Bitter sweet
Blackberry root
Black haw
Black Indian hemp
Black root
Blueberry
Blue flag
Boneset
Burdock
Butternut
Calamus
Capsicum
Carrots
Cascara
Castor bean
Catnip
Cayenne
Celandine
Centaury
Chamomile
Chapparal
Cherry, wild, bark
Chestnut
Cinnamon
Cinquefoil
Cloves
Cohosh, black
Comfrey
Colombo
Coriander
Cranesbill
Crowfoot
Cypress
Dock, yellow
Elder
Elecampane
Elm, slippery, bark
Eryngo
Eucalyptus
Fireweed
Flag, sweet
Flaxseed
Frostwort
Garlic
Ginger, wild
Golden rod
Grape
Horseradish
Horsetail, grass
Hound's tongue
Jasmine, yellow
Labrador tea
Lavender
Life everlasting
Life root
Lobelia
Lungwort
Marshmallow
Matico
Meadowblossom
Meadowsweet
Moss, Iceland
Mullein
Nettle
Oak, white
Onion
Peach tree leaves
Pennyroyal
Peppermint
Persimmon bark
Pilewort
Plantain
Pleurisy root
Pokeroot
Pomegranate
Poplar
Poppy seeds
Primrose, evening
Privet
Psyllium
Ragweed
Raspberry, red, leaves
Red root
Rhubarb, root
Saffron
Sage
St. John's wort
Samson snakeroot
Sanicle
Sassafras
Savory
Shepherd's purse
Spikenard
Stoneroot
Strawberry, wild, leaves
Sumac
Sumbul
Sunflower
Sweet gum
Tamarack
Tansy
Thuja
Thyme
Tormentil
Valerian
Wahoo, bark
Water Avens root
Water Pepper
White pond lily
Willow, black, American
Wintergreen
Witch Hazel
Yam, wild
Yarrow
Yerba santa

Recommendations

Blackberry root, chamomile tea and raspberry leaves can be beneficial if you have occasional bouts of diarrhea. Herbs can be added to applesauce, bananas, pineapple or papaya juice. Take cayenne capsules 2-3 times daily. Ginger tea is good for cramps and abdominal pain. Slippery elm bark is also beneficial. Take 6 capsules or take 3 tsp. per 8 oz. of water.

A high-fiber diet is important. Eat oat bran, rice bran, raw foods, yogurt, and soured products daily. Increase liquids, adding sea water concentrate to steam-distilled water.

Do not take any medication to stop diarrhea for at least 2 days. This is the body's way of throwing off toxins. Contact the doctor if any of the following conditions occur: the diarrhea lasts for more than 2 days; there is blood in the stool; the stool appears as black as tar; fever above 101 F.; severe pain in abdomen or rectum; dehydration is evident (dry mouth, wrinkled skin); or urination is reduced or stopped.

Do not consume milk products. Also, limit fats, wheat, and foods containing gluten.

Suggestions

Rice water treatment can be beneficial. Boil 1/2 cup of brown rice in 3 cups of water for 45 minutes, strain, and drink 3 cups daily of the rice water. Eat the rice as well. The rice helps to form stools and supplies the needed B vitamins.

Definition