Home remedies for treating diarrhea

According to this website, in developed countries such as USA, diarrhea outbreaks are more often linked to contaminated water supplies, food poisioning, and so on. Some viral infections are also more common in summer.  http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/digestive/diarrhea.html# 

Here's a summary of home remedies widely recommended to treat diarrhea, based on several sources of information on this subject.

- Apple juice or clear broth (which may include miso soup), but avoid citrus, pineapple, tomato and other jouice since the acid in them can irritate already inflamed intestines. Start with small sips and work your way up to drinking a cup every half hour.

- Vinegar. If a bacterial infection is at the root of your diarrhea, apple cider vinegar could help contain the problem, thanks to its antibiotic properties. What's more, some folk remedy experts contend that apple cider vinegar contains pectin, which can help soothe intestinal spasms.

- Honey. Many cultures swear by honey as a cure for diarrhea. Mix 4 tablespoons of honey into a cup of hot water. Let cool and drink. It's very sweet, but effective. (Come to think of it, I think 1 tablespoon of honey in a glass of warm water is sufficient, otherwise it would be too sweet.)



This website supports the recommendation of drinking water with honey to treat diarrhea. http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/index.php?page=articles&id=157149 

Honey has tremendous medicinal value, because it washes away the harmful substances that might be collected in the intestines and the veins. In treating diarrhea, honey promotes the rehydration of the body and more quickly clears up the diarrhea and any vomiting and stomach upsets. The anti-bacterial properties of honey, both the peroxide and non-peroxide, are effective against MRSA strains of bacteria which are notoriously resistant to antibiotics and are sometimes responsible for the closing of hospital wards.

- Ginger "has been shown to prevent the gases and spasms that can contribute to diarrhea."

Other remedies include pomegranate juice, chamomile tea, rice, potatoes, bananas, yoghurts (in small amounts).

These information are taken from "Reader's Digest Easy Home Remedies" (free iphone app) and the following websites:
http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/home-remedies/10-home-remedies-for-diarrhea.htm
http://physicalandspiritualhealth.blogspot.sg/2012/07/health-benefits-of-pomegranate.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/036649_honey_home_remedies_medicine.html

The website also suggests other alternative treatments, such as consuming probiotics, as well as practising yoga and meditation to provide relief from diarrhea.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-report/diarrhea-management/diarrhea-home-remedies.aspx

"Consuming probiotics, either as a supplement or in foods such as yogurt, may help restore healthful amounts of good bacteria in your intestinal tract. In turn, this helps slow down or stop your loose, watery bowel movements."

Some of the websites also recommend prevention measures, such as washing hands before eating meals since some virus or bacteria may have been passed on from touching common surfaces in public places, public transport, etc.