Home Remedies for Diarrhoea

Ginger is a natural remedy commonly used for an upset stomach and indigestion. The bioactive compounds present in ginger called gingerols and shogaols can help enhance stomach contractions. This aids in the rapid movement of food through the gut that was otherwise causing indigestion. The compounds present in ginger may also help to reduce nausea and vomiting.

People suffering from diarrhoea can add ginger to their food or try putting it in their tea. Certain all-natural ginger ales also contain enough ginger that can help soothe an upset stomach.

Mint or Mentha longifolia leaves are used in herbal recipes, which are used for gastrointestinal disorders. This herb also has extensive use in traditional Iranian medicine for the treatment of indigestion, gas and diarrhoea. Studies have found that the essential oil constituents of mint such as the pulegone, cineol, and isomenthone are mainly responsible for its anti-diarrhoeal activity.

Mint leaves can be consumed either raw or cooked. You can prepare a smoothie with mint leaves for consumption. Traditionally, people boil mint leaves with cardamom to make tea. It is also possible to powder mint leaves and mix them with other beverages, teas, or foods.

Cinnamon is yet another effective home remedy when it comes to treating diarrhoea. This spice contains several antioxidants that can help in the process of digestion and decrease the risk of irritation or damage in the digestive tract. The most commonly found antioxidants in cinnamon are eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, linalool, and camphor. These compounds may help to reduce gas, bloating, cramping, and belching. They also help to neutralize the acidity in the stomach acidity to reduce indigestion and heartburn.

For treating diarrhoea, add 1 tsp of cinnamon powder, or a cinnamon stick, to your meals. Alternatively, you can try mixing the cinnamon with boiling water to make cinnamon tea. Take this tea two or three times a day to manage diarrhoea symptoms.

Cumin seeds, commonly known as jeera, contain bioactive compounds like tannins, alkaloids, glycosides, sugars, terpenes and flavonoids, which help to reduce indigestion and excess stomach acids, decreasing gas. Cumin is also an anti-microbial and helps to reduce inflammation caused by infection. Clinical trials have shown that cumin is able to reduce painful defecation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

For best results, mix 1 or 2 teaspoon(s) of ground or powdered cumin into your meals. Alternatively, you could also drink cumin tea prepared by adding a few teaspoons of cumin seeds or powder to boiling water.

Coconut water is one of the most common remedies that are used for the management of gut issues including diarrhoea. Diarrhoea causes dehydration, which can be treated by intake of coconut water. It is a rich source of minerals and electrolytes that replenish body fluids. Coconut water also enhances blood circulation and helps in recovering from diarrhoea quickly. A glass of coconut water twice a day is recommended for best results.

Pumpkin, especially pumpkin seeds and leaves can also be used to relieve diarrhoea symptoms. Pumpkin leaves and seeds have a strong anti-parasitic activity and are hence effective against diarrhoea caused by parasitic infections.

Also, the soluble fibres present in pumpkin helps in retaining water from and hardening the stool. Pumpkin also has high levels of potassium and its consumption replenishes the body fluids with electrolytes.

You can consume about a cup of boiled or baked pumpkins. The juice prepared from raw pumpkin leaves or from the crushed seeds can also be consumed for better results.

Basil contains several bioactive compounds like cineole, camphor and thymol that increase appetite, relieve cramping, reduce gas and improve overall digestion. Basil also contains eugenol, which acts to neutralise stomach acidity. The linolenic acid content in basil has anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, basil is an effective remedy for diarrhoea.

You can add 1 or 2 teaspoon(s) of dried basil leaves, or a couple of fresh basil leaves, to meals until the symptoms of diarrhoea lessen. For more immediate results, you can mix half a teaspoon of dried basil, or a few fresh leaves, with boiled water and prepare tea.

(Read more: How to improve digestion)

Licorice or liquorice is the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra that is traditionally used as a home remedy for diarrhoea. Licorice is especially effective against rotavirus, one of the leading pathogens that cause severe gastroenteritis and represents a serious threat to human health.

The bioactive constitute of licorice root are saponins, flavonoids, isoflavones, coumarins, stilbenoids. These compounds exert many useful pharmacological properties that include anti-viral and anti-bacterial activities. Studies have found that the use of licorice can help relieve diarrhoea and reduce the inflammation caused due to intestinal conditions as gastroenteritis. 

The roots can be crushed to make a powder which can then be added to boiling water to prepare licorice tea for consumption.

ORS or ORT is a fluid replacement therapy used to prevent and treat dehydration, especially caused by diarrhoea. The therapy involves drinking water with certain amounts of sugar and salts, especially, sodium, potassium and zinc. Zinc supplementation during acute diarrhoea is currently recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

ORS is available in a packeted form in the markets. For effective results, the entire contents of a 100 g packet are dissolved in a litre of water and then consumed in smaller quantities till the symptoms lessen.

(Read more: Fluid therapy)

Yoghurt is one of the best foods that you can consume when you have loose motions. It is a probiotic, that is, it contains good bacteria that naturally soothe the stomach and help maintain digestive health. The lactic acid in yoghurt destroys the bad bacteria in your intestines and helps regulate stool consistency. 

To reap its benefits, you can add banana or isabgol (psyllium husk) to half a bowl of yoghurt and have it thrice a day.