Natural Remedies For Diarrhea

Traditional Chinese natural remedies for diarrhea are usually very effective. They are safe to take and can be tailored to match each person's unique symptoms, signs and body type. Chinese self-massage and dietary therapy are also effective remedies for diarrhea. However, this article's main focus is Chinese herbal diarrhea remedies. Food remedies for diarrhea and foods to avoid will be touched on though.

What Causes Diarrhea?

Firstly, lets look at what causes diarrhea. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) recognizes numerous causes of diarrhea such as faulty diet, digestive system weakness and germs. Some of these cause acute diarrhea over a couple of days, while others cause long term, chronic diarrhea.

Food and Diarrhea

Improper diet is a main cause of diarrhea in Western people. TCM advocates that foods should mostly be eaten cooked and warm. This facilitates digestion and nourishes the digestive organs. Raw, cold foods on the other hand require greater digestive power to break them down. Over consumption of raw vegetables, salads, iced drinks, icecream, yogurt and other cold foods can weaken your digestive system and make you more likely to get diarrhea.

Raw vegetables, fruit and salad certainly have health benefits but if this is mostly what you eat and you often have diarrhea (or bloating or fatigue) then start eating more cooked, warm food. Also, do not have very cold or iced drinks, especially with your meals. A small cup of hot green tea or hot water with or just after meals is far more beneficial to your digestion.

Chronic Diarrhea

People with chronic diarrhea, such as the elderly and even some middle aged people, often have loose stools first thing in the morning. Often they wake very early, around dawn, with diarrhea. In TCM this kind of diarrhea is associated with kidney weakness. Small meals of easily digested foods (lightly cooked and eaten warm) are best for these people. Examples are soups, stews and rice congee. Chinese herbal remedies for diarrhea should also be taken to stop the diarrhea and strengthen kidney function.

Chinese Medicine Diagnosis

Even though this article talks about Chinese natural remedies for diarrhea, buying one online or off a store shelf is not recommended without first consulting a TCM practitioner with Chinese herbal medicine training. There are many possible Chinese herbal diarrhea remedies and before one can be prescribed it is essential to know what's going on in your body from a TCM viewpoint. A Western medical diagnosis of diarrhea is not enough to properly prescribe Chinese herbal remedies for diarrhea (or any other condition).

If you need help finding a TCM practitioner see the FAQ section (No.9). If you have any general questions or comments about Chinese natural remedies for diarrhea, or foods for diarrhea, etc, let me know via the Contact button (above left).

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