Herbs for diarrhea: list, recipes and instructions for use

Diarrhea or diarrhea is a symptom and acute manifestation of various diseases, including infectious ones. The sooner you consult a doctor with a complaint about this problem, the greater the chances of avoiding dehydration, loss of microelements, intoxication, and various complications. After making a diagnosis, the specialist usually prescribes medication and rehydration therapy.

But along with pharmaceuticals, medicinal herbs for diarrhea and infusions of medicinal plants can be recommended as a maintenance course. What kind of herbal decoctions to drink for diarrhea for an adult, and which ones for children, you need to find out from your doctor.

Reasons why stomach upset develops

Diarrhea is a rather dangerous condition despite seemingly being safe. The most serious complications of diarrhea are dehydration, internal bleeding, and the development of peptic ulcers. Depending on age, gender and health status, diarrhea can cause some harm to the patient. For example, in older men, an attack of diarrhea often causes internal bleeding, which, in turn, can lead to death.

You can begin treatment for diarrhea at home only if you are fully confident that the patient does not have chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, erosions, ulcers, tumors, various types of neoplasms).

Common causes of diarrhea:

• entry of a microorganism that provokes weakening of peristalsis;
• some intestinal infections (in this case the temperature rises, fever and fever begin);
• eating stale food;
• chronic intestinal diseases;
• insufficient production of enzymes by the pancreas.

Reasons for development and potential danger

Diarrhea is considered to be the appearance of frequent (more than five times per day) loose stools. Often accompanied by stomach cramps and pain.

Prolonged diarrhea, especially in children, is dangerous due to the possibility of dehydration. Causes of acute diarrhea:

• fungal infections;
• bacterial infection;
• alcohol intoxication;
• consequences of taking certain medications, especially antibiotics; parasitic infestation;
• enterotoxins.

Causes of chronic diarrhea:

• metabolic disease;
• lactose intolerance;
• unbalanced diet;
• diseases of the large intestine;
• pathologies of the liver, stomach, gall bladder, pancreas;
• gluten enteropathy;
• endocrine disorders.

With prolonged diarrhea, vomiting develops, body temperature may rise, absorption of beneficial microelements and vitamins deteriorates, which leads to exhaustion of the body.

You should immediately consult a doctor if bloody discharge appears in the stool, a fever occurs, or very severe pain occurs.

It is recommended as first aid to limit food and drink more fluids. Throughout treatment, you should follow a diet excluding fried, spicy foods, sweets, baked goods, and fresh fruits.

It is recommended to include pureed lean soups, steamed vegetables, boiled rice, and oatmeal in the diet.

What to choose - pharmacological or traditional methods of treatment

If you need to get rid of diarrhea as soon as possible, you should use tablets. For example, Loperamide and Levomycetin have a binding effect and almost instantly stop even the most severe attacks of diarrhea. Whatever the cause of diarrhea, tablets will help get rid of its manifestations in just half an hour.

Alas, almost all pharmacological agents have an impressive list of side effects and contraindications. For example, many of them are prohibited for use by people with diseases of the cardiovascular system, as they can provoke the development of tachycardia and increased heart rate.

From the point of view of safety for the body and the absence of side effects, herbs for diarrhea are much better to use than pills. Even if infusions and decoctions do not work in the first minutes of use, they will help you maintain your health and will not harm your internal organs.

How do herbs act on the body?

The use of folk recipes is allowed in case of acute manifestations of the disease, which lasts no more than 1–2 weeks. The main problem with loose stools is the removal of potassium, sodium, and mineral compounds from the body. They participate in all life processes: hematopoiesis, production of immune cells, construction of protein chains. When the amount of nutrients decreases, the patient experiences tachycardia, a sharp drop in blood pressure, and clouding of consciousness. If the discharge is not stopped, the risk of a dangerous coma increases.

Herbal treatment of diarrhea is based on the unique properties of certain organic compounds present in plants:

• Pectins. The substances have an antitoxic effect, which consists of absorbing poisons and decomposition products of organic acids. Their cells absorb waste, helping beneficial bacteria develop faster, and gently cover the intestinal epithelium with a protective layer.
• Tannins. By entering into chemical reactions with toxin proteins, they bind harmful substances and stop the development of infection. The astringent effect helps to coat inflamed areas, reducing pain and spasms.
• Mucilage. Contains a huge amount of antimicrobial and antibacterial compounds. Covers the epithelium with a thin layer of natural mucus, which becomes a natural antiseptic.

Rules for preparing infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs

Herbs for diarrhea can be used either fresh or dried. There are people who like to walk through fields and forests and collect medicinal herbs in order to dry them and use them to treat pathological conditions. Doctors are wary of such “healers”: it is very easy to confuse plants.

As a result, there are still complaints and calls to the ambulance when patients are poisoned with self-collected “medicinal” herbs. Collecting plants for therapy is possible only if the healer is confident in his knowledge. There are many poisonous plants that look like medicinal ones - they are easy to confuse.

Therefore, it is better to purchase pre-grown herbs for therapeutic purposes, professionally dried and factory-packaged herbs (including for diarrhea). Most plants in dry form cost a penny: from thirty to one hundred rubles. At the same time, the patient can be confident in their quality and in the absence of possible side effects.

Horse sorrel is a centuries-old remedy for diarrhea.

This weed has long been used in folk medicine. You should definitely familiarize yourself with the medicinal properties and contraindications of horse sorrel before preparing the potions:

• contains carotene, rutin, bioflavonoids - these components provide a fixing effect, normalize digestion, heal the gastrointestinal tract, strengthen the walls of blood vessels;
• mineral salts of calcium and iron prevent water-salt imbalance, which almost always develops with diarrhea;
• Contraindications for use: individual intolerance.

Recipes with this plant are among the most popular in folk medicine; it is difficult to overestimate the medicinal properties of horse sorrel. Contraindications to taking medications based on it and side effects from their use are minimal: this is a relatively rare development of an allergic reaction to bioflavonoids.

The effectiveness of folk remedies and rules for their use

When using traditional medicine methods, it is important to consider a number of tips:

1. Remember to drink more fluids when you have diarrhea to avoid dehydration.
2. It is recommended to use activated carbon along with home remedies.
3. Avoid eating fried foods, fresh fruits, and vegetables.

Traditional medicine against diarrhea, proven over the years, is effective and diverse.

Rules for using horse sorrel for indigestion

Recipes with this plant that have a fastening effect on diarrhea:

1. A decoction of horse sorrel root is used for diarrhea caused by colitis, entercolitis, and hemorrhoidal disease. Brew a tablespoon of the dry root of the plant with 200 ml of boiling water and take 20-30 ml ten minutes before each meal.
2. A decoction of horse sorrel stem is also effective for diarrhea. The leaves and stem contain less nutrients than the root. Therefore, decoctions and infusions should be prepared more concentrated. Three tablespoons of dry crushed plant per glass of boiling water. It should be taken the same way - on an empty stomach, 10-15 minutes before each meal.

The course of treatment is long - about one month, daily. During therapy, fatty foods and alcoholic drinks should be completely excluded from the diet. Otherwise, the treatment may be ineffective and digestion will not be restored.

Spices to fight diarrhea

In the fight against diarrhea, spices will come to the rescue from the arsenal of folk remedies, and your first assistant will be black peas - it is recommended to take it at night. The treatment recipe is simple and effective due to natural essential oils, which stimulate the production of food enzymes, improving digestion and suppressing pathogenic microflora in the gastrointestinal tract. It is enough to swallow 10 peas at night with water.

Remember! Pepper in this method of treating diarrhea should not be given to children under 7 years of age, to anyone diagnosed with problems with the urinary system and ulcers, or to anyone with allergies to food and spices.

In addition to black pepper, cumin or turmeric can also be used in the fight against diarrhea - they help suppress pathogenic microflora and stimulate the production of gastric juice, normalizing the entire functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. You can add these spices to tea, dilute them in water, or add them to dishes.

Medicinal properties of St. John's wort for diarrhea

This plant has been considered one of the most healing for centuries. In case of indigestion, St. John's wort has a binding effect due to tannin compounds, which are contained in high quantities in the stem and leaves. The plant is also rich in nicotinic acid, hyperforin, carotene, and tocopherol.

How to brew St. John's wort so that it stops diarrhea in a short time:

• Throw two or three heaped tablespoons of dry crushed plant into 400 ml of boiling water;
• simmer over low heat for fifteen minutes;
• remove from heat, cover with a lid;
• leave for an hour or two.

Can be used both warm and cooled. St. John's wort, like all other herbs, must be brewed carefully. If there is insufficient fat, the nutritional properties will be reduced to zero.

Rules for using oak bark for stomach upset

Another centuries-old remedy for diarrhea. Instructions for use with dry crushed oak bark state that the optimal method of application is as follows:

• Immerse two tablespoons of raw materials in boiling water (400-500 ml);
• simmer over low heat for ten minutes;
• let it brew for three to four hours;
• Take the decoction on an empty stomach, before each meal.

The total duration of treatment is two to three weeks. It relieves attacks of diarrhea on the first day of use due to the tannins that oak bark is rich in. The instructions for use of the product state that use is prohibited in the presence of an allergic reaction or individual intolerance to homeopathic oak compounds.

Healing properties of burnet

What herbs for diarrhea in older people are most effective, yet safe? If possible, burnet is worth trying. This is a relatively rare plant, but it is extremely gentle on internal organs and almost never causes side effects.

This is a perennial plant with small dark red flowers and large leaves. What is the best herb for diarrhea? It could be a burnet, but it grows quite rarely and is difficult to collect.

An infusion of the plant can be used both as an independent remedy and as part of complex therapy for diarrhea. Burnet root is rich in the following components:

• ascorbic acid;
• starch;
• bioflavonoids;
• para-aminobenzoic acid;
• carotene;
• a nicotinic acid.

Using mint, fireweed and chicory

There are a huge number of fixative herbs for diarrhea. Here are effective and simple recipes with mint, fireweed, chicory:

• Mint has long been famous for its strengthening effect. Effective for diarrhea of ​​any etiology. Relieves attacks within two hours after taking the infusion. You can use both fresh leaves and roots of the plant, and dry crushed raw materials. It is enough to brew two or three tablespoons of a dry plant or several sprigs and leaves of fresh mint with boiling water. Take 30-40 ml of infusion on an empty stomach before each meal.
• An excellent remedy for diarrhea is fireweed. Fresh twigs and leaves are ground. If the plant was collected independently, it should be dried and crushed. Can be used within a year after collection. Three tablespoons of the dried crushed plant are poured into a glass of hot water. Leave for 40 minutes. Take 50-100 ml of decoction on an empty stomach.
• Chicory has an excellent astringent effect on diarrhea. Any supermarket sells ground, dried chicory. You can drink it instead of coffee or tea - it is a tasty and healthy drink that does not contain caffeine and normalizes digestion.

Effective herbal recipes for diarrhea

When preparing herbal infusions, it is important to strictly follow the proportions specified in the recipe. To do this, use a kitchen scale or a single measuring cup for all ingredients.

Bird cherry and blueberry

Blueberries and bird cherry for diarrhea are a mild remedy that can be given to all family members. Take a teaspoon of dried blueberries and twice as much of bird cherry. Pour the mixture with water brought to a boil (approximate volume - 250 ml). Place on the fire and cook for at least 20 minutes.

Drink the medicinal infusion two sips 3 times a day. The optimal time to take it is half an hour before meals.

Chokeberry with pear and oats

Take 100 g of dried pears and rowan berries, add 3 tablespoons of oatmeal and mix thoroughly. Add 3 cups of water, bring to a boil and cook for half an hour. Cool the mixture and consume half a glass three times a day. The product helps not only with diarrhea, but also eliminates exacerbations of gastritis, colitis and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

To prepare a medicinal infusion for diarrhea, another recipe is used - from fresh berries. Pour a tablespoon of chokeberry into a glass of just boiled water. Pour the mixture into a thermos, tighten well and leave to infuse overnight (8 hours).

The next morning after waking up, you can drink the prepared drink 100 ml 3-4 times a day. Usually, symptoms of diarrhea disappear within 1–2 days after starting treatment.

Mint collection

Take equal proportions of dried mint, shepherd's purse, roots of birdweed and cinquefoil. Stir the crushed herbs, pour a tablespoon of the mixture into a cup, and pour boiling water over it. Wait 30 minutes, then drink in small sips. It is advisable to take a mint drink 4 times a day, half a cup.

Therapy with berries, fruits and infusions from them

Few people know that common berries and fruits have no less binding properties than herbs for diarrhea:

• Hawthorn berries - both freshly picked and dried - should be poured with boiling water (a liter of water per hundred grams of berries) and taken on an empty stomach for a week - digestion is normalized already on the second day;
• alcohol tincture from walnut partitions (for two hundred grams of partitions, 500 ml of alcohol or one bottle of vodka) - take ten drops before each meal, you need to stop taking it immediately after diarrhea stops;
• pour a tablespoon of aspen buds into a glass of boiling water, take a few tablespoons before each meal;
• Blueberries have an excellent binding effect: it is not necessary to prepare a decoction of them; it is enough to eat 10-15 berries at the initial symptoms of diarrhea.

What contraindications exist for the use of herbal infusions?

One of the most effective remedies for diarrhea in adults is herbs. The advice doctors give to their patients, however, allows us to conclude that even such seemingly safe therapy has a number of contraindications:

• intolerance to plant bioflavonoids;
• internal bleeding;
• peptic ulcers of the intestines and stomach;
• neoplasms on the walls of the gastrointestinal tract (polyps, tumors, hemangiomas);
• state of alcohol intoxication.

Advice from gastroenterologists: rules for using herbs for diarrhea

Hepatologists and gastroenterologists recommend adhering to the following rules when treating diarrhea:

• To avoid dehydration (which always occurs with diarrhea), you need to drink as much fluid as possible.
• Use only those herbs whose origin you are sure of.
• Do not exceed recommended dosages.
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages during herbal treatment for diarrhea.
• Carefully monitor the patient's condition and, if necessary, call an ambulance.
• Do not use herbs for more than one month in a row.

Prevention

To avoid the development of diarrhea associated with intestinal disorders, important rules should be followed:

1. After walking, traveling in public transport, visiting the toilet, contacting animals, and immediately before eating, you must wash your hands. You should protect your hands with gloves when handling raw eggs, meat, and fish.
2. It is important to avoid drinking raw water.
3. It is not recommended to drink natural milk without boiling and buy it on the street.
4. It is prohibited to eat unwashed fruits, vegetables, berries, and herbs.

It is important to know the rules for combining foods and not to use expired, spoiled food varieties.

There are many effective folk methods worthy of attention that help treat diarrhea.

It is important to select them based on medical recommendations, taking into account existing contraindications. It is dangerous to exceed the dosages indicated in the recipe, especially in childhood.