10 Home Remedies For Loose Motion and Diarrhea

For people with an extremely sensitive gut, a BRAT diet is recommended. This regimen includes only those foods that are easy to digest and won't induce any kind of irritation of the gut cells. The BRAT is made of initials of food Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. Let's have a look at how each of these foods works in managing diarrhea:

Banana

Banana is a source of an important electrolyte, potassium. As this mineral is present in an abundant among, it functions in a similar way as an oral rehydration solution, helping to replenish the lost fluid during the diarrhea/loose motion. The presence of sugars mainly fructose, also provides energy to the body to smoothly recover.

Rice

Rice is a starchy food that is easy on the gut. It can be easily digested and won't bother the weak and sensitive cells of the digestive system. Being bland, starchy and low in fiber, rice provides energy to the body as well as absorbs fluid that is present in excess. 

Applesauce

Applesauce has pectin in it, a fiber that is easily digested by the body. As it reaches the stomach and gets digested, the fiber adds bulk to the stool useful in alleviating diarrhea. Made from cooked apples, applesauce only has easily digestible ingredients similar to rice, providing a gentle way to soothe the disturbed digestive system. Its mild nature helps prevent irritation while supporting the recovery process.

Toast

Toast is another starchy food that benefits by absorbing excess water in the intestine. It is also a simple food for energy, especially the white bread. However, one should completely exclude any kind of spread or butter in the toast to minimize irritation.

If one has non-stop diarrhea or lose motion, it's obvious for them to lose the balance of the gut flora. As the presence of the required amount of bacteria and other kinds of flora is important to get the gut health back on track, it becomes important to restore the balance.

While choosing a probiotic, one of the means to add healthy bacteria to the gut, it's equally important to be thoughtful about opting for the ones that are not harsh on the weak and sensitive gut.

Yogurt being a potential source of probiotics can be added to the diet of such a person. Among all, the plain and unsweetened variety can be best to restore the flora without triggering any reaction.

As yogurt has a soothing effect on the intestine, it will help you heal in a natural way. However, it's important to be aware of the yogurts with sugars or sweeteners added to them as they possess a chance to aggravate the existing issues.

Ginger is a simple ingredient that has a lot of medicinal value. It can be used in many ways to alleviate diarrhea and loose motion and one of the most effective ways is ginger tea.

Ginger is packed with anti-inflammatory compounds, all of which can ease the irritation that happens in the troubled intestinal cells. Besides keeping the gut cells protected from the discomfort, ginger is also useful in relaxing the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, reducing the cramping and pain that often accompany diarrhea.

The antimicrobial properties of ginger on the other hand combat harmful bacteria and pathogens that might be causing gastrointestinal issues.

Cumin has long been known for its digestive benefits. These small seeds have notable content that perfectly fits the needs of a healthy digestive system.

The first and foremost advantage of including cumin in the diet of affected individuals is the production of adequate amounts of digestive enzymes. The absence of digestive enzymes can lead to severe diarrhea, as the digestion and absorption rates of foods are afflicted. Cumin, with the help of its inherent compounds like thymol, can help secrete an adequate amount of digestive enzymes which cancels out all the effects of unavailability of digestive enzymes, reducing the frequency and severity of diarrhea.

So, when we consume cumin regularly, it can stimulate the production of digestive enzymes in the body which won't allow the lengthening of healing time. 

Another factor that is known to benefit digestive health is the carminative properties, the one that helps to minimize the symptoms that accompany diarrhea/loose motion including bloating, gas and cramping. This property helps to relieve all the related symptoms, hence soothing the disturbed stomach and intestine. 

All these benefits can be achieved by boiling cumin seeds in water, and consuming it once or twice a day. When consumed this way, your body will also be rehydrated.

Another widely recognized seed for its digestive benefits is fenugreek. The presence of fibers that allow stools to solidify is the prime cause that increases the chance of early healing. The fibers present in fenugreek seeds are unlike other fibers, that irritate the digestive system and only complicate the condition.

The mucilage content, which you can easily observe in overnight soaked fenugreek seeds, coats the intestinal tract which protects the sensitive cells of the gut against any kind of irritation.

Soaked fenugreek seeds work perfectly to soothe and protect the digestive tract. The next day, you can drink the water and also include the ground seeds in yogurt.

Lemon juice is another effective remedy for managing diarrhea and loose motion. The several properties that help soothe the digestive system and restore balance during digestive disturbances include:

• Vitamin C content: Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C, an essential vitamin that helps the body recover more quickly from infections. So, if the diarrhea is because of the issues related to infection, lemon juice can be effective in recovering. Moreover, this vitamin can also prevent any infections that may arise due to a weakened digestive system.
• Astringent: As lemon juice is an astringent, it protects the inflammation of the gut cells. This directly prevents the worsening of the diarrhes. This property also helps firm up the loose stools by drawing excess water from the intestines.

The pectin content in lemon also plays an important role by soothing the bowel. As the bowel movements are regulated, the liquid consistency of the stool gets reduced.

There is excess loss of fluids when one is suffering from loose motion or diarrhea. So, recovery from these conditions also demands replenishment of lost electrolytes, which can be achieved by several means as listed below:

Coconut Water

Electrolytes present: potassium, sodium, and magnesium

Coconut water is an electrolyte solution, all the way from nature. The drink allows the body to get back all the lost electrolytes and is easy on the stomach, hence an excellent choice of recovery drink.

Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)

Electrolytes present: sodium and potassium

The ORS is designed to recover the lost fluids in the body. Not only electrolytes, these formulations also have an optimal amount of glucose that provides energy to the body for speedy recovery.

Water with Added Salt and Sugar

Electrolytes present: sodium

When you are suffering from diarrhea/ loose motion and don't have excess ORS or coconut water, you can make an electrolyte supplying fluid yourself. Made with simple ingredients easily available in your pantry, salt and sugar, the mix is a mild electrolyte drink.

Salt is the source of electrolytes while sugar is the energy source. Not to forget, the presence of water content also supports rehydration.

Broths/ Soups

Electrolytes present: sodium

The soups or broths prepared using low fat and salt are perfect for fluid replacement in the body. Clear soups, like vegetable or chicken soup fall among classic recovery choices in diarrhea/ loose motion as they are soothing and don't possess a chance of irritating the cells in the gut.

Sports Drinks

Electrolytes present: sodium and potassium

Sports drinks are generally marketed for athletes, but, they can also be beneficial in diarrhea/ loose motion. These drinks are supposed to be effective in gaining back the fluids lost during heavy sports. To be equally effective for diarrhea/ loose motion choose kinds of sports drinks that don't have excess sugars in them. Also, make sure they are devoid of caffeine and alcohol.

Pomegranate's natural properties make it a highly beneficial fruit for managing loose motions and diarrhea. Different compounds that work together to tackle digestive issues are as follows:

• Compounds with anti-inflammatory properties: The gut cells can be irritated and inflamed when one has diarrhea/ loose motion. The compounds in pomegranate, like polyphenols and flavonoids, can reduce inflammation and allow cells to function normally.
• Compounds that help control the excessive loss of fluids: The tannins present in the pomegranate are astringent, known to control the excessive loss of fluids and inflammation of the gut cells. Besides tannins, the vitamin C and potassium present in the fruit help to prevent loss of fluids, which reduces the risk of dehydration-a common concern during diarrhea.
• Compounds that help improve stool consistency: The seeds of the pomegranate contain fiber, which helps to convert the liquid stools into a more solid form. The fibers also regulate the disturbed bowel movements.

You can consume pomegranate in both fresh or juiced form, anyway is suitable to strengthen the sensitive gut cells and to control disturbed bowel.

Chamomile is a medicinal herb that can be used to manage diarrhea and loose motions. It's regular use helps to relax the stomach muscles and reduce inflammation in the following ways:

Anti-inflammatory compounds: The compounds like quercetin and apigenin present in chamomile can prevent gut cells from being inflamed. This is important in speeding up the recovery. As the cells are less irritated, they can function optimally, reducing the episodes of diarrhea.

Antispasdomic property: Bearing spasms of the muscles in the digestive tract is common when one has diarrhea. The antispasdomic compounds present in chamomile is helpful to reduce this, which takes away cramps and discomfort, allowing digestive system to function normally.

The soothing property of chamomile tea is also due to the antimicrobial properties, which tends to keep away infections and promote the healthy balance of the gut flora.

Preparing chamomile tea from dried chamomile flowers is the best way to survive diarrhea/ loose motion. As the steeping time is important, it's a must to keep the tea boiling for five to seven minutes. As it doesn't have potential side effects, you can drink it two to three times a day.

Honey is packed with sugars, glucose and fructose, whose consumption provides energy to the body. Honey doesn't only progress recovery by supplying energy but it also allows the digestive system to run smoothly. Some other properties that help the body heal include:

Anti-inflammatory property: Honey can reduce irritation and inflammation of cells of the digestive tract. This soothes the upset stomach, and as the cells become normal, it leads to early healing.

Antibacterial property: Honey also keeps away harmful bacteria that may be the cause of the diarrhea. This action supports the body's ability to fight infections, and promotes a healthier gut environment.

This traditional solution can be combined with cinnamon powder, add the mix to hot water and drink on an empty stomach for the desired result. The cinnamon also helps to relieve diarrhea by reducing irritation on the intestinal cells.

When combined with water and consumed in regular intervals, the honey-cinnamon mix helps in rehydration, maintaining the fluid balance.

Now, as you know what foods can help get through the difficult time when you have loose motion/ diarrhea, you also should also be aware of what to avoid in order to not let your symptoms worsen. Some of the foods that should be strictly avoided are listed below:

• Dairy Products: As dairy products can make symptoms severe and cause further stomach upset, it's better to totally avoid them.
• Fatty or Fried Foods: These foods can slow down digestion and may increase discomfort. So, try to avoid foods high in fat or cooked in excess fat.
• Spicy Foods: A troubled stomach and intestine has a zero tolerance for spicy food. Hence, it's best to avoid them.
• Caffeinated Drinks: As caffeine has the natural tendency to stimulate cells in the intestine, it's better to avoid coffee, tea, and any other drinks containing caffeine until you fully heal.
• Alcohol: Alcohol can make the condition more severe, as fluid loss can increase excessively. The sensitive stomach wall also react adversely when exposed to alcohol.
• Artificial Sweeteners: The sweeteners aren't good for diarrhea as they increase the healing time, mostly due to their laxative effect.
• Raw Fruits and Vegetables: The raw forms of fruits and vegetables are not recommended when one's stomach is upset. The reason behind this is the high fiber content of the peels that further toughens the digestion, leading to more bloating and cramping.