What Can I Take to Stop Diarrhea: Tips and Home Remedies

While gastrointestinal conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome, ulcer, and GERD differ in nature, many of them cause common symptoms like constipation and diarrhea. What can I take to stop diarrhea? In this article, we discuss the different herbal medicines for diarrhea in connection with various gastrointestinal disorders.

What Can I take to Stop Diarrhea?

Here are the top herbal medicine for diarrhea and other gastrointestinal disorders:

Peppermint

Peppermint is perhaps the most common herbal medicine for diarrhea, especially if your condition is IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Some of IBS’ signs and symptoms include:

• Bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhea

When you have diarrhea, the tendency is for you to also experience abdominal pain. This is where peppermint vastly helps.

In a study, it was found that peppermint oil significantly reduced abdominal pain in diarrhea-predominant IBS because of its menthol content, which has a cooling and soothing effect. It is important to note that while it’s safe to drink peppermint tea (made from boiling the leaves), the study was centered on consuming peppermint oil in capsule form.

Remember: You should always talk to your physician before thinking of using peppermint as an herbal medicine for diarrhea. Even though it is rare, there could be side effects, especially if you are taking other medications or have other pre-existing health conditions.

Artichoke

Artichoke, the beautiful looking plant which is often considered a vegetable, is considered as one of the best herbal medicines to improve digestion.

Not only is it naturally filled with fiber, but inulin – one particular fiber it contains – also acts as a prebiotic that is good for gut health. Because it helps a lot in our digestive health, you can consider artichoke as a good herbal medicine for diarrhea.

In one study, 208 people who were suffering IBS were given 1-2 capsules of artichoke leaf extract daily for 2 months. They reported that the symptoms (which include diarrhea) were reduced by 26% and their quality of life improved by 20%.

Other than its digestive benefits, artichokes may also be good in:

• Reducing bad cholesterol
• Increasing good cholesterol
• Improving liver health
• Lowering blood sugar levels

Remember: If you are going to consume artichokes as food, it s generally safe. However, be careful as allergic reactions may occur if you are allergic to plants like marigolds and daisies. Be especially careful if you are going to take artichoke leaf extract (in capsules) as an herbal medicine for diarrhea or IBS.

Do not forget to talk to your physician before starting any remedy involving this herb.

Green Tea

Another great tea to stop diarrhea is green tea. According to reports, it has a long history in helping treat and manage not only diarrhea, but also infections caused by Helicobacter pylori. Typically, H. pylori infections cause nausea, stomach pain, and bloating.

Aside from being a great digestive aid, green tea could also potentially:

• Help prevent some types of cancer due to its high antioxidant content
• Help protect the brain cells from diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease
• Reduce the levels of bad cholesterol
• Be an effective agent for weight reduction

Reminder: Since green tea is widely commercialized, it wouldn’t be hard to acquire it. It is possibly safe when taken in moderation. However, please remember that it may still cause side effects like headache, dizziness, and irregular heartbeat.

Chamomile

Chamomile is one of the go-to herbs for digestive upset. It is helpful in:

• Diverticulitis
• Ulcers
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Indigestion
• Gastritis
• Colic acid

Chamomile is also good herbal medicine for diarrhea and it helps in calming nerves, that is why many people drink it to aid them in sleeping. 

You can prepare chamomile as a tea. To do so, you need to have either the fresh flowers or the dried ones. Prepare 8 ounces of water. You can either use 4 tablespoons of fresh flowers, or 2 if you have the dried version. Let the flowers steep in hot water for about 5 minutes before transferring to a teacup. But strain the flowers beforehand. 

Remember: Chamomile tea is generally safe, except if you are allergic to it. If you are allergic to daisy and aster, you may be allergic to chamomile because they come from the same family.

Additionally, this herb has natural blood-thinning properties, so be careful if you are taking blood-thinning medications. Before using chamomile as an herbal medicine for diarrhea, be sure to talk to your doctor. 

Ginger Tea

If you’re looking for a good way to relieve your stomach upset, ginger tea might just be the answer.

According to one study, ginger tea helped chemotherapy patients when they experienced nausea and vomiting; additionally, pregnant women who suffer from morning sickness also benefit from drinking ginger tea.

If the benefits mentioned above still do not convince you, please note that some reports say that ginger could help soothe digestive symptoms like bloating, cramps, gas, and even indigestion.

To make ginger tea, simply peel a piece of ginger root. Grate it and then boil in water for 10 to 20 minutes. Since ginger has a distinct strong taste, you can try adding lemon or honey to make it more enjoyable.

Remember: Although ginger is generally safe, especially if you take it in moderation or food amounts, still be observant. If you experience symptoms like easy bruising or bleeding, stop taking the tea. Should you want to regularly consume ginger tea as a part of your food supplement or as a means to stop diarrhea, consult your doctor, especially if you have an underlying medical condition.

Key Takeaways

What can I take to stop diarrhea? Using herbal medicine for diarrhea should be taken with consideration, especially if you have known allergies. Also, if you are experiencing other health conditions and are taking other medications.

There are many ways to use the herbs listed above, so talk to your physician about the best course of treatment.

The bottom line is to always address the root of your gastrointestinal disorder. Finally, do not forget that other remedies also help in relieving diarrhea and other gastrointestinal disorders, particularly diet and exercise.

Learn more about Herbals & Alternatives here. 

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