Homemade Remedy for Diarrhea: Fast and Natural Relief

Medically reviewed by: Dr Nivedita Pandey

U.S.-Trained Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist

Diarrhea is a common issue that many face, regardless of age. It leads to loose, watery bowel movements and might cause pain, vomiting, and weight loss. Although it often goes away by itself, there are home remedies for diarrhea, natural diarrhea relief, and fast diarrhea treatment options that might help.

This guide will look into the top homemade cures for loose stools. You’ll get some natural and effective solutions for diarrhea relief.

Understanding Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a common gut problem. It makes you have loose, watery poop often. Many things can cause it, like getting sick from a virus or bad food. It can also happen because of some medicines or health problems you might have. Knowing what diarrhea is and what makes it happen is the first step to fix it.

What is Diarrhea?

Diarrhea means going to the bathroom loose, watery stool three or more times a day. You might have it for a short time, called acute, or for a long time, called chronic. Viruses, bacteria, or even parasites can cause acute diarrhea. But if it lasts a long time, it might point to a health issue you need to check.

Causes of Diarrhea

There are many things that can give you diarrhea. Some common ones are:

• Viral or bacterial infections, like when you get the flu or eat bad food
• Eating food or drinking water that’s not clean
• Some medicines, mainly antibiotics, can be a cause
• Health issues of the gut, such as IBS or IBD, might be the reason
• Lactose intolerance or food allergies can lead to it, too
• Even feeling too much stress or worry can upset your stomach

Knowing what can trigger diarrhea is key to how to deal with it. It helps to pick the right treatment or ways to handle it.

Staying Hydrated: The First Step

Keeping well hydrated is super important when dealing with diarrhea. This problem flushes out water and key minerals from your body. This makes you feel really bad. To fight this, drink a lot to replace what’s been lost.

Importance of Hydration

Dehydration is a big issue when you’ve got diarrhea. Your body loses more fluids than usual. This can bring on tiredness, headaches, and if it’s really bad, it can hurt your organs. Drinking enough is key to avoiding these problems.

Recommended Fluids

During diarrhea, drink lots of water. This will help keep you hydrated. You can also have broths, fruit juices, or sports drinks. They have the electrolytes you need. Products like Pedialyte are great, especially for kids.

Trying rice water at home is a good idea, too. It’s easy to make. Just boil rice, strain the water, and cool it down. Some studies found it can help stop loose stools better than some drinks.

Hydrating well is the number one step when you have diarrhea. It helps you recover faster and avoid the dangers of dehydration.

The BRAT Diet for Diarrhea Relief

Dealing with diarrhea? The BRAT diet could help you feel better. BRAT means Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. These items are easy to digest and can make your stools firmer. This can give your body a break from hard-to-digest foods.

Bananas are great when you have diarrhea. They’re rich in potassium, a mineral you might lose a lot of. Go for green bananas if you can. They have more pectin, a fiber that can help soak up extra water in your gut.

Rice, a big part of the BRAT diet, is simple to digest. It can also make your poop less watery. Applesauce and toast are good choices too. They’re plain and won’t upset your stomach.

The BRAT diet is just for the short term. It might not give you all the nutrition you need if you stick with it for a long time. But, it’s a good way to let your tummy rest and cut down on diarrhea.

Don’t forget to drink lots of water when you have diarrhea. You should drink at least 64 ounces a day. This helps your body replace all the fluids you’ve lost. And, some herbs and probiotics might also be calming for your stomach.

Bland and Easy-to-Digest Foods

Having diarrhea means you should eat simple, easy-to-digest foods. These foods will calm your stomach. The BRAT diet is good (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast), but you have other choices too.

Recommended Foods

• Baked, skinless chicken breasts
• Plain, low-fiber cereal
• Baked potatoes
• Chicken soup with saltine crackers
• Broths and soups
• Bananas, applesauce, and other ripe, soft fruits
• Boiled, mashed vegetables like carrots or squash
• Probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and kefir

Foods to Avoid

While it’s key to drink a lot, some food can make diarrhea worse. Stay away from these:

1. Fried and high-fat foods
2. Spicy or heavily seasoned dishes
3. High-fiber grains and cereals
4. Carbonated beverages
5. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower
6. Beans, lentils, and other legumes
7. Foods sweetened with artificial sweeteners

Avoiding certain foods can really help with diarrhea. Stick to bland and simple foods to feel better faster.

Probiotics: Restoring Gut Health

Dealing with diarrhea? Adding probiotics to your diet can help a lot. Probiotics are tiny living things that balance the bacteria in your stomach. They’re helpful when sickness or medicines throw your stomach off.

Benefits of Probiotics

Probiotics make diarrhea better and less severe. They also help your stomach and overall health in many ways:

• Inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria that can cause infections and inflammation
• Improving nutrient absorption and digestion
• Strengthening the gut’s immune defenses
• Reducing inflammation and promoting a healthy gut lining

Probiotic-Rich Foods

Eating foods rich in probiotics is a natural method to fight diarrhea. Good sources include:

1. Yogurt
2. Kefir
3. Sauerkraut
4. Miso
5. Kimchi
6. Tempeh
7. Kombucha

These fermented foods add good bacteria back to your stomach. This helps it heal from diarrhea. If you can’t eat these foods, probiotic supplements can also be a good choice.

Herbal Remedies for Diarrhea

Besides changing diets and eating probiotics, some herbs can help with diarrhea. These plants give a gentle and good way to lessen the issues of loose stomachs.

Rice Water

Rice water is a famous treatment for an upset stomach. To make it, you just boil rice and save the water. This water can help make your stomach more solid. Drinking a bit of it can help a lot.

Ginger

Ginger is a great herb for stopping diarrhea. It fights swelling and can help your stomach. You can have ginger tea or eat ginger to feel better.

Chamomile and lemongrass teas might also help with diarrhea. But we need more study to be sure. By using these remedies, we can treat stomach problems lightly and naturally.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Home remedies work well for mild diarrhea. But sometimes, you need medicines you can get without a prescription. Over-the-counter diarrhea medication like Pepto-Bismol and Imodium are good options. They slow down digestion. Also, they help pull more water from the intestines. This makes stools more solid. And it cuts down on how often you need to go. Be careful and read how to use these medicines on their labels.

Anti-Diarrheal Drugs

Pepto-Bismol and Imodium are great for quick relief from diarrhea. These anti-diarrheal drugs slow down your gut. This lets your body take in extra water from your stool. It makes your stool more solid and you go less often. Just use these drugs the way it says on the box. Don’t use them for more than a few days. They could hide the real problem behind your diarrhea.

But, don’t forget, these OTC meds aren’t for every kind of diarrhea. If your diarrhea is from food poisoning or a virus, see a doctor. They’ll guide you on the best treatment to avoid making things worse.

Even though anti-diarrheal drugs can help, you still need to drink plenty of fluids. Eat simple foods. And find out what’s causing your diarrhea. If things don’t get better or if they get worse, talk to a doctor right away.

Homemade remedy for diarrhea

When you have diarrhea, look for help at home first. Check out home remedies for diarrhea. Making your own drinks or eating certain foods can help. They are easy and good for you.

Mix a little salt with apple juice. This drink will help you feel better. It’s like a special sports drink. Also, drinking water with soaked fenugreek seeds is good. It makes your belly feel nice and calm.

Eat foods like kimchi, miso, and sourdough bread. They are full of good bacteria. These foods can make your stomach better. This might help stop the bad tummy times.

Using these homemade ways might work for you. They are natural and might help. But, you should drink lots of water. Eat light foods like toast too. And, if you still feel bad, talk to a doctor.

When to See a Doctor

Diarrhea can be short and not serious. But, some signs mean you should see a doctor. If it lasts more than a few days or you have bad stomach pain, get help. Also, see a doctor if there’s blood in your poop. Feeling really thirsty, having dark pee, or dizziness could mean you’re dehydrated. This is another reason to visit a doctor soon.

Signs of Dehydration

Dehydration from diarrhea is a big problem. Watch for these signs:

• Excessive thirst
• Dark yellow or amber-colored urine
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fatigue or weakness
• Dry mouth and/or skin
• Headaches

If anyone shows these signs with diarrhea, get medical help at once. Dehydration is very dangerous, especially for kids and the elderly.

With babies under 3 months, always check with a doctor if they have diarrhea. Babies can get seriously dehydrated. They might need special care.

It’s very important to know when diarrhea might be serious. Not sure if it’s bad? Call your doctor. It’s always best to be safe.

Preventing Diarrhea

Home remedies help with diarrhea relief. But, preventing it is just as important. Tools like good food safety and clean personal habits lower the diarrhea risk. Knowing how to stop it means less treatment and a happier tummy.

Food Safety Tips

Caring for food properly is a big help. Remember these food safety tips:

• Cook meats thoroughly to kill harmful bacteria.
• Keep perishable foods cold or hot to stop bacteria from growing.
• Wash fruits and veggies to get rid of dirt and germs.
• Use different cutting boards and utensils for handling raw and cooked foods.

Good Hygiene Practices

Good hygiene helps stop the spread of diarrhea-causing bugs. Here are some essential tips:

1. Wash your hands often, especially before eating and after using the bathroom.
2. Use a tissue or your elbow to cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
3. Keep your home and work areas tidy and germ-free.
4. Stay away from people with diarrhea or tummy troubles.

Using these tips for both food safety and personal cleanliness is key. It helps prevent diarrhea and keeps your stomach happy.

Children and Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a big concern for kids because they can get dehydrated easily. If a child has mild diarrhea and no vomiting, they can keep eating normally. But keep an eye on them. If the diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours, or if they show signs of dehydration, like less peeing, a fever, or eyes that look sunken, you should see a doctor.

Diarrhea in children can last from a few days to a week. If it lasts over 2-4 weeks, it’s known as chronic diarrhea. Doctors don’t usually use antibiotics for diarrhea in kids. And remember, don’t give any medicine to children under 3 without talking to a doctor first.

If your baby is breastfed, keep giving them milk. Breast milk is good for fighting dehydration. For bigger kids, you can try the BRAT diet. This diet includes Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. These foods are gentle on the stomach and still provide essential nutrients.

If a baby under 6 months old has diarrhea along with blood in the stool, signs of dehydration, is vomiting, has a high fever, or a swollen belly, it’s best to see a doctor right away. The same goes if the symptoms go on for more than 2-3 days.

To stop and handle diarrhea in kids, be sure to keep food and hands clean. And make sure the child drinks enough water. Some high-fiber foods like apples (without the skin), bananas, oats, beans, and sweet potatoes (without the skin) can also ease diarrhea.

Fermented Foods for Gut Health

Fermented foods are a natural way to get probiotics. Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts vital for a healthy gut. They help a lot if you have diarrhea. Eating these foods can fix your gut flora and make you feel better.

Miso, kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, and soft cheeses have these good bacteria. They are great for fighting diarrhea and keeping your digestion healthy. Eating these foods every day is a smart move for your health.

The Gut-Healing Power of Fermented Foods

A 2021 study in Cell said eating probiotic foods improves gut health a lot. Foods like nonfat Greek yogurt, kimchi, kefir, and sauerkraut are full of probiotics. They help bring good bacteria balance back to your gut.

Probiotics in foods such as tempeh and kombucha also help fight obesity health issues. Adding prebiotic-rich foods like artichokes, dragon fruit, garlic, and mushrooms is good too. They help good bacteria grow in your gut.

Eating a mix of fermented and probiotic-rich foods often is key to a healthy gut. It can also make diarrhea better. Choosing these foods is a simple, good way to care for your stomach.

Recovering from Diarrhea

Dealing with diarrhea is tough, but you can recover. In most cases, symptoms end in a few days to a week. It’s important to do things right for a full recovery.

First, keep drinking lots of fluids. Water, broths, or sports drinks are good choices. They help replace what your body has lost. Start eating again slowly with the BRAT. This includes Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast.

As you start feeling better, be careful about adding foods back. Listen to what your body tells you. Go slow and add new foods one by one. This way, you can tell if your body is ready for them without causing more problems.

Everyone’s recovery is different. Most will be better in a week. But some might take longer or have it come back. If things don’t improve or you get dehydrated, see a doctor.

Be patient and take good care of yourself. You will soon be well. Listen to your body and take it easy. Slowly does it with food. That’s the key for getting back to normal smoothly.

Stick to these steps, and you’ll recover from diarrhea smoothly. Soon, you’ll be able to get back to normal.

Conclusion

Diarrhea is a common problem that can be really inconvenient. Yet, you can get relief by using simple home remedies. The most important thing is to drink lots of water. Eat simple foods and add probiotics to your meals. You can also try some herbs. Sometimes, over-the-counter medicines are okay too.

It’s good to know what causes diarrhea, like bad food or viruses. Try to prevent it by washing your hands often and keeping your food clean. If you have diarrhea for a long time or feel very sick, you should see a doctor. This is because bad cases of diarrhea can cause you to lose too much water, which is dangerous.

By using the tips in this guide, you can handle diarrhea and start feeling better. Just keep in mind that being patient and careful is the key. Soon, you’ll be able to get over diarrhea and enjoy life again.