The symptom of diarrhea is characterized by a decrease in the consistency of the fecal mass and by an increase in the frequency of going to the bathroom (more than three times a day).
There are various home remedies that have been used for many years to treat this condition, where the use of rice, potatoes, bananas, apples, lemons, mint, among many others, stands out.
Liquid stools or diarrhea is one of the most frequent causes for attendance at the emergency medical service. Its seriousness lies in the fact that there is a loss of water and electrolytes, which leads to a state of dehydration.
Therefore, in the following article we present some of the most common causes that cause diarrhea, as well as a list of home remedies that you can do that will help you cut diarrhea effectively.
Causes of diarrhea
There are several factors that can trigger diarrhea, it may be due to an alteration of the intestinal microbiota due to viral, bacterial or parasitic infections, which produces inflammation in the gastric and intestinal mucosa.
Also, it can be a consequence of food poisoning or allergies, such as cow’s milk protein, the intake of drugs (especially antibiotics), or diseases that affect the digestive system.
Below are the most frequent causes of diarrhea in detail:
Virus
Approximately 80% of diarrhea cases are attributed to the damaging action exerted by viruses on the gastric mucosa. And those of greater severity and intensity, especially in children, are due to rotavirus.
Other causative agents are: adenovirus, astrovirus, norovirus and sapovirus.
bacteria and parasites
If the diarrhea is inflammatory, it may be due to Shigella bacteria, enteroinvasive Escherichia coli, enteroinvasive E. coli, enterohaemorrhagic E. coli, Salmonella, and Yersinia. There may be blood in the stools due to damage to the gastric mucosa.
For its part, Salmonella enteritidis is transmitted by consuming poorly cooked eggs, which causes feverish diarrhea.
Other bacteria that cause diarrhea are: Campylobacter spp, Clostridium difficile, Aeromona spp, Plesiomona shigelloides, Vibrio spp.
Diarrhea due to parasitic infection is rare, but may be caused by microorganisms: Cyclospora cayetanensis, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum.
Lactose intolerance
Lactose is one of the sugars in milk, whose intolerance occurs because the intestine is unable to digest and transform it into glucose and galactose, due to a deficiency of the lactase enzyme.
Rotaviruses also intervene in lactose intolerance, which, by injuring the intestinal villi, reduce the synthesis of enzymes that are responsible for lactose absorption.
Medicines
There are medications that alter the microbiota and the intestinal mucosa, among which antibiotics such as clindamycin, cephalosporin, erythromycin, and beta-lactamase inhibitors stand out.
Also, there are other drugs that affect intestinal motility such as: colchicine, sertraline, metformin, misoprostol, among many others.
digestive disorders
There are gastrointestinal diseases that have diarrhea among their symptoms, such as ulcerative or ischemic colitis, diarrheal irritable bowel syndrome, disorders in the absorption and/or digestion of food, Crohn’s disease, etc.
Home remedies to get rid of diarrhea
Treatment with home remedies to eliminate diarrhea is based on the fact that, thanks to its astringent capacity: they reduce inflammation, reduce the number of stools, increase their consistency and contract intestinal tissues.
For that reason, we share the following list with 15 home remedies that you can easily do with natural elements.
1. Ginger infusion
Ginger fights infections by being an antimicrobial that also has anti – inflammatory action by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins through two molecules, gingerol and 6-shogaol.
These molecules also speed up stomach contractions, which helps the mobility of food in the stomach.
Ingredients
- Ginger root.
- Cup and a half of water.
Preparation
- Pour the cup and a half of water and the crushed ginger root into a pot, to make a decoction.
- Boil for 10 minutes and then remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before eating.
2. Mint tea
Mint contracts intestinal tissues, facilitates the expulsion of gases as it decreases the tone of the lower sphincter of the esophagus, is antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal ; relieves spasms and is anti-inflammatory.
All this is given thanks to its flavonoids, phenolic acids: palmitic, stearic, oleic, chlorogenic; its tannins, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, menthol, among others.
Ingredients
- A handful of mint leaves
- 2 cups of water.
Preparation
- Pour two cups of water into a pot and bring to a boil. Once the boiling point is reached, remove from heat.
- Add the mint leaves and let stand for 15 minutes, strain and eat.
3. Lemon juice with baking soda
The antimicrobial action of lemon is mediated by its vitamin C and amino acids. Its anti-inflammatory effect is due to diosmin and hesperidin (flavonoids).
The union of bicarbonate with lemon results in a buffer substance which neutralizes stomach acids, prevents drastic changes in pH, favors intestinal motility, decreases gas and the discomfort of indigestion.
Ingredients
- Juice of half a lemon.
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
- Half a cup of cold water.
Preparation
- Pour half a cup of cold water, a teaspoon of baking soda and the juice of half a lemon into a glass.
- Mix until bicarbonate dissolves and swallow.
4. Rice water
Rice has among its components the polysaccharide dextrin, which decreases the number of stools and increases their volume. Also, provide water.
Rice can also help make stool firmer due to the starch it contains.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons of white rice.
- 2 cups of water.
Preparation
- Place the white rice in a pot and let it toast until it acquires a dark brown color (do not let it burn). Once this is achieved, add the two cups of water and let it boil.
- After boiling, move away from the heat, let stand and strain and then take the water to the refrigerator until it cools. When it is very cold it can be consumed.
- If preferred, it can be left without straining to consume the rice with its water.
5. Cinnamon tea
Cinnamon is anti flatulent, relieves abdominal pain and stomach spasms as it decreases smooth muscle contractions, has antibacterial and antifungal activity.
These capacities are mainly due to the action of eugenol and cinnamaldehyde, two of its components.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of cinnamon.
- 1 cup of water.
Preparation
- Bring a cup of water to a boil, and remove from the heat once it reaches the boiling point.
- Add the tablespoon of cinnamon, let stand for a few minutes and eat.
6. Clove Tea
Like cinnamon, pain cloves have eugenol among their components, in addition to eugenyl acetate and β-caryophyllene.
These are attributed their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, antispasmodic and anti-flatulent property.
It is also effective in preventing the multiplication of parasites such as Giardia lamblia.
An article in the International Journal of Biomolecules and Biomedicine explains the antibacterial activity of clove extract against diarrhea-causing bacteria, stating that it has significant antidiarrheal activity.
Therefore, they highlighted that it could be used as an effective antibacterial agent, alternative to the use of antibiotics.
Ingredients
- 4 cloves.
- 1 cup of water.
Preparation
- Add the 4 crushed cloves to the cup of previously boiled water.
- Let stand for 10 minutes, strain and consume.
7. Cumin tea
Cumin is a spice that decreases the generation of gases in the digestive tract and favors the expulsion of those that are accumulated, thus helping to relieve colic, and reduce flatulence and bloating in the abdomen.
It also has antimicrobial action thanks to cuminaldehyde, it is antiseptic; decreases heaviness, pain and burning stomach. Assists in the digestive process of food and produces constriction of stomach tissues.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of cumin.
- Cup and a half of water.
Preparation
- Add the tablespoon of cumin into the previously boiled water.
- Let stand for 10 minutes and eat.
8. Chamomile and lemon tea
The relief of diarrhea by the action of chamomile is given since it facilitates intestinal movements, while reducing spasms, colic and abdominal pain as it helps to expel accumulated gases.
Also, it has anti-infective and bacteriostatic properties due to alpha bisabolol.
It has the ability to repair and protect the gastric mucosa, since its tannins form an insoluble layer on the inflamed mucosa to prevent bacterial toxins from being absorbed.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of chamomile flowers.
- Juice of half a lemon.
- 2 cups of water.
Preparation
- Make an infusion by letting the 2 cups of water boil. Subsequently, they are removed from the heat and the 2 tablespoons of chamomile flowers are added.
- Let stand for 15 minutes, strain, add the lemon juice and eat.
9. Orange peel tea
A study published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research in 2018 aimed to measure the in vitro antibacterial activity of orange peel against microorganisms responsible for the infection that causes diarrhea.
It is important to note that the Salmonella spp and E.coli isolated for the study were established as resistant to some antibiotics.
The antibacterial effects were high, observing several zones of inhibition of the evaluated microorganisms.
Ingredients
- Half orange peel.
- 1 cup of water.
Preparation
- Place the cup of water and the orange peels in a pot and bring to a boil.
- Then let it rest for 10 minutes and strain.
10. Basil tea
Basil is an effective natural remedy to treat gastrointestinal pathologies since it has antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic activity, through eugenol, estragole and thymol.
Escherichia coli bacteria have been found to be susceptible to the antibacterial action of basil.
Ingredients
- A handful of basil leaves.
- 2 cups of water.
Preparation
- Pour two cups of water into a pot and bring to a boil. Once the boiling point is reached, remove from heat.
- Add the basil leaves and let stand for 15 minutes, strain and eat.
11. Licorice tea
Licorice is antispasmodic and protects the gastric mucosa. At the same time, through glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhizinic acid and glabridin, it has antiviral and antimicrobial properties.
Glycyrrhizinic acid inhibits rotavirus replication and Escherichia coli bacterial activity.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons of licorice powder.
- Cup and a half of water.
Preparation
- Add the 2 teaspoons of licorice powder to the previously boiled water.
- Let stand for 10 minutes and consume.
12. Carrot soup
Carrot is an absorbent and anti-inflammatory food that has the property of contracting intestinal tissues due to the action of the pectin polymer, which, in addition to having the ability to retain water, also decreases the number of bowel movements.
Ingredients
- 2 carrots.
- 2 cups of water.
Preparation
- Wash the carrots well, chop them and add them to a pot with 2 cups of water. Cook until softened.
- After this they are added to the blender and little by little the water where they were cooked is incorporated until a slightly liquid consistency cream is achieved.
13. Mashed bananas
The green banana, being rich in fiber, helps in the process of digestion of food and regulates the intestinal microbiota. And due to compounds such as leucocyanidin, it has an anti-inflammatory capacity.
It also stands out for its astringent action, which increases the consistency of bowel movements and reduces their frequency. Likewise, the thickness of the gastric membrane increases.
Ingredients
- A green banana.
- Water w/n.
Preparation
- Remove the skin of the banana and cut it into pieces so that it cooks more quickly.
- In a pot, place the banana pieces, the water and let cook.
- Once cooked, they are crushed with the help of a fork until a puree is achieved.
14. Mashed potatoes
Due to the action of its minerals: copper, magnesium, iron and calcium, the potato is a food with bactericidal properties .
And through its phenols: carotenoids, glycoalkaloids and anthocyanins, it has anti-inflammatory action.
Ingredients
- 2 potatoes.
- Water w/n.
Preparation
- Wash the potatoes well and cut them into pieces so they cook more quickly.
- In a pot place the potato pieces, the water and let cook.
- Once cooked, they are crushed with the help of a fork until a puree is achieved.
15. Applesauce
The apple has a high fiber content which regulates digestion. Thanks to pectin, it promotes water retention capacity, regulates intestinal flora, gives stool a solid consistency and slows gastric emptying.
It is also anti-inflammatory, and protects the gastric membrane by the action of flavonoids, phenolic acids, catechin, and chlorogenic acid, among others.
Ingredients
- An Apple.
- 2 cups of water.
Preparation
- Wash the apple well, chop it and remove the core.
- Add the apple in a pot with the 2 cups of water, and cook until softened.
- Once cooked, it is crushed with the help of a fork until a puree is achieved.
We hope that these remedies are useful, however, it is important to note that if the diarrhea persists for more than 4 days, it is necessary to see a specialist doctor so that the condition can be treated.
This is in order to avoid dehydration and to alleviate the symptoms of upset stomach that affect people.
Prevention of diarrhea
Diarrhea is a condition that can be prevented by following personal hygiene measures and handling food and water. For this we provide you with some tips:
Wash hands frequently
Infections that trigger the symptom of diarrhea occur mainly through the fecal-oral route, so it is important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating and handling food and after using the bathroom.
wash food well
Likewise, it is necessary to wash food with clean water before consuming it, or even before refrigerating it after being purchased. Incorrect food handling can cause cross contamination.
Store water properly
Drinking and cooking water must be stored and bottled hermetically to prevent the entry of any pathogenic microorganism.
Also, care should be taken to use only potable water for cooking, or failing that, water that has been previously boiled for 15 minutes.
Pay attention to food and drinks
Food should always be consumed properly cooked, and in the case of meals such as sushi, there must be assurance that they were made under the strictest hygiene standards and that there was adequate food handling.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.