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This article was co-authored by Lisa Bryant, ND. Dr. Lisa Bryant is Licensed Naturopathic Physician and natural medicine expert based in Portland, Oregon. She earned a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon and completed her residency in Naturopathic Family Medicine there in 2014.
There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 32,254 times.
Diarrhea is a common gastrointestinal problem that usually goes away on its own within a few days, but it can be uncomfortable. Luckily, there are several natural ways you can help your body heal and stop diarrhea more quickly. Start by adjusting your diet to avoid foods that may make diarrhea worse and include foods that may help. You may also consider trying a home remedy for diarrhea, such as black tea, goldenseal, or zinc supplements. If your diarrhea continues or gets worse, make an appointment to see your doctor. You might have an infection or a chronic illness that could be causing diarrhea and you may require medication to see an improvement.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:
Adjusting Your Diet
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1Drink fluids with salt and sugar in them to reduce fluid loss. Water is usually the best option for staying hydrated, but when you have diarrhea, you lose fluid more rapidly. As such, drink something that contains salt and sugar to help your body hold onto more of its fluids. For example, you could drink an oral rehydration solution or sports drink to keep yourself hydrated.[1]
- You can also make your own sports drink or oral rehydration solution by mixing 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) of salt, 4 teaspoons (20 g) of sugar, and 1 L (34 fl oz) of water.
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2Follow the BRAT diet to make your stools firmer. The BRAT diet includes bananas, rice (white), applesauce, and white bread toast. These foods will help to create firmer stools, so sticking to these foods for a few days may help to stop diarrhea.[2]
- Try having dry or lightly buttered toast with a banana for breakfast. Then, have a bowl of rice with a cup of applesauce for lunch and dinner.
Tip: If you find the BRAT diet too limiting, some people also tolerate minimally seasoned cooked chicken and eggs, and crackers well. Add in 1-2 servings of each of these foods per day if you need more variety.[3]
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3Incorporate yogurt or kefir for probiotics. The probiotics in yogurt and kefir may help to regulate your bowel movements by increasing the amount of good flora in your intestines. This can be especially helpful if you’ve recently finished a course of antibiotics, which often kills the good bacteria along with the bad.[4]
- Keep in mind that dairy can aggravate diarrhea in some people, so try having one 6 oz (170 g) serving of yogurt or kefir per day and see how your body reacts to it. If you tolerate it well, then you could include 2 servings of yogurt or kefir daily.
- There are also non-dairy yogurt and kefir products available that also contain probiotics.
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4Avoid any foods that might be causing diarrhea. Certain foods may cause diarrhea or make it worse in some people. If you suspect that something you recently ate is what caused your diarrhea, avoid eating that food again. Some other foods to avoid include:[5]
- Rich or fattening foods, such as baked goods, fried foods, potato chips, and chocolate bars
- Dairy products, such as cheese, ice cream, and milk
- Seasoned or spicy foods, such as chili, hot sauce, and jambalaya
- High-fiber foods, such as high-fiber cereals, fiber snack bars, and beans
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Trying Home Remedies
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1Brew a cup of black tea and sweeten it with 1 teaspoon (5 g) of sugar. Studies indicate that black tea may have an anti-diarrheal effect, especially on children. Try drinking a cup of black tea to stop your diarrhea. You can add sugar to it to help your body absorb more of the fluids as well.[6]
- To brew a cup of black tea, place a black tea bag into a mug and pour boiling water over it. Let the tea steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Enjoy the tea once it is cool enough to drink.
Tip: Keep in mind that black tea usually contains caffeine, which may worsen your diarrhea. If you choose to drink black tea, be sure to get one that's decaf. Drinking too much tea might also lead to dehydration since it’s a diuretic.
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2Take blackberry root as a supplement or tea. Blackberry root has been shown to provide anti-diarrheal effects. You can take a blackberry root supplement or drink a tea made from blackberry root. Check the supplement section of your local grocery store to see if they carry blackberry root supplements or tea. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how to use the product.[7]
- If you cannot find blackberry root supplements or tea, you might gain some benefit by eating 1/4 cup (60 g) of blackberries or making a tea from blackberries. Place 8 to 10 blackberries into a mug and pour boiling hot water over them. Then, let the berries steep for about 10 minutes. Strain the tea into another mug and then sip it slowly.
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3Try a goldenseal supplement or tea. Goldenseal, also known as “yellow root,” is native to North America and it has long been used as a medicinal plant. Taking goldenseal supplements or drinking goldenseal tea may help to stop diarrhea. If you purchase a supplement or tea, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how to use it.[8]
- Always consult your doctor before taking any supplement if you’re on other medications.
- Do not take goldenseal if you’re pregnant or nursing.
- Don’t give goldenseal to infants. Goldenseal can worsen jaundice in newborns and this may lead to a life-threatening condition called kernicterus.[9]
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4Mix psyllium husk fiber into water or juice. Taking psyllium husk once or twice daily may be helpful for binding loose stools. Purchase a psyllium husk fiber supplement that you can mix into water or juice. Measure out 1 serving according to the manufacturer’s instructions and use a spoon to stir it into 8 fluid ounces (240 mL) of water or juice. Then, drink the fluid right away.[10]
- Psyllium husk fiber supplements are widely available in grocery and drug stores.
- Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully for how to use the product.
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5Take a daily zinc supplement or eat more foods that are high in zinc. Some studies indicate that zinc supplementation may help stop diarrhea, especially in children. Try taking a daily zinc supplement or eat more foods that contain zinc to see if this helps. Check with your doctor first if you want to try taking a supplement or give a supplement to your child.[11]
- Foods that are high in zinc include oysters, red meat, chicken, seafood, beans, and seeds.
- The daily requirements for zinc vary according to age and gender. For example, an 8-year-old boy or girl child requires 5 mg of zinc daily, while an 18-year-old man requires 11 mg daily and an 18-year-old woman requires 9 mg daily.[12]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
Finding Other Ways to Control Diarrhea
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1Manage your stress levels with relaxation techniques. If you’ve been under a lot of stress lately, that might be contributing to your diarrhea. Set aside at least 15 minutes every day to relax. You can do anything you find relaxing during this time. Some relaxing activities might include:[13]
- Doing yoga
- Meditating
- Taking a bubble bath
- Reading a book
- Listening to relaxing music while breathing deeply
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2Keep a food diary to see what might be triggering your diarrhea. Recording everything you eat in a food diary may help identify foods and beverages that might be causing your diarrhea. You might have an intolerance to a specific type of food, such as dairy or wheat, or you might simply be triggered after eating a fattening meal. Record everything you eat for at least 2 weeks and review times when you had diarrhea within 24 hours after eating to check for patterns.[14]
- For example, if you notice that you have diarrhea almost every time you eat ice cream, then you might be sensitive to the lactose or the fat in the ice cream. Try switching to a low-fat-frozen yogurt to see if that helps, and if it doesn’t help, try switching to dairy-free ice cream.
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3Find out if any of your medications could be causing diarrhea. If you take any over-the-counter or prescription medications regularly, check to see if they can cause diarrhea as a side effect. If you suspect that your medication is to blame for your diarrhea, contact your healthcare provider and ask about your medication alternatives. Don’t stop taking a prescription medication without asking your doctor first.[15] Some of the medications that may cause diarrhea include:[16]
- Laxatives
- Antacids
- Antibiotics
- Chemotherapy drugs
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen
- Heartburn and stomach ulcer medications, such as omeprazole and ranitidine.
- Drugs that suppress the immune system, such as mycophenolate
- Metformin (used to treat diabetes)
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4Talk to your doctor if your diarrhea doesn’t improve. If you’ve modified your diet and lifestyle and you still have diarrhea, make an appointment to see your doctor. There may be an underlying condition that’s causing your diarrhea and it may require treatment to get better.[17]
- For example, if you have a bacterial infection that’s causing your diarrhea, then you might need to take antibiotics to clear it up.
- Or, if you have a condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or Crohn’s disease, your doctor may recommend a combination of lifestyle changes and medication to prevent diarrhea.
Warning: See a doctor immediately if your diarrhea lasts more than a few days, it has blood in it or looks black, you have a fever greater than 102 °F (39 °C), you’re dehydrated, or you have severe abdominal or rectal pain.[18]
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Warnings
- If your child has diarrhea and is showing other signs of being unwell, such as a fever, dehydration, or abdominal pain, call your child’s pediatrician.[19]⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/moms-advice-is-still-the-best-for-treating-diarrhea/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/moms-advice-is-still-the-best-for-treating-diarrhea/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diarrhea/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352246
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/moms-advice-is-still-the-best-for-treating-diarrhea/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diarrhea/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352246
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5871214/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4127818/
- ↑ https://nccih.nih.gov/health/goldenseal
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/jaundice/facts.html
- ↑ http://pennstatehershey.adam.com/content.aspx?productid=107&pid=33&gid=000321
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3113371/
- ↑ https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diarrhea/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352246
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diarrhea/symptoms-causes/syc-20352241
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diarrhea/symptoms-causes/syc-20352241
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000293.htm
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diarrhea/symptoms-causes/syc-20352241
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diarrhea/symptoms-causes/syc-20352241
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/diarrhea-in-children
About This Article
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Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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