Diarrhea is most commonly caused by myriad viral infections but is also often the result of bacterial toxins and sometimes even infection. One of the most important treatments for diarrhea involves the patient consuming adequate amounts of water to replace that lost, preferably mixed with electrolytes to provide essential salts and some amount of nutrients. There are many time-honored herbal treatments for common diarrhea, that can in fact be just as helpful, if not more than many over-the counter remedies. For many people, further treatment and formal medical advice is unnecessary, however, diarrhea can be a symptom of a more serious condition, and can be health threatening to high risk individuals such as the elderly or infants. Use common sense and seek help if the condition becomes chronic.

Colitis is an acute or chronic inflammation of the membrane lining the large bowel. People with colitis may have abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, painful spasms (tenesmus), lack of appetite, fever, and fatigue.

Herbs Used for Diarrhea

Agrimony * Andrographis * Clove * Codonopsis Root * Elm, Slippery * Geranium * Goldenrod * Goldenseal * Horse Chestnut * Lemon Verbena * Meadowsweet * Oak * Oregon Grape * Raspberry *

Agrimony For: Diarrhea, child
Profile	Like many astringent herbs agrimony can be helpful in diarrhea, and it's low toxicity make agrimony especially suitable for children. Penelope Ody, Home Herbal (1995)

Agrimony For: Diarrhea, Constipation
Profile	While agrimony is an effective treatment for many forms of diarrhea, it can aggravate constipation. The tannins in agrimony cause pectin fibers to cross-link and bind. Blockage can result if you take agrimony at the same time as psyllium powders, such as Metamucil. Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Aloes For: Laxative
Profile	Aloes, or drug aloe, made from the juice of the dried inner leaves, is a very strong laxative James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Barberry For: Digestive Tonic, Liver, Constipation
Profile	As a bitter stomachic tonic, it proves an excellent remedy for dyspepsia and functional derangement of the liver, regulating the digestive powers, and if given in larger doses, acting as a mild purgative and removing constipation. Maud Grieve, Modern Herbal Vol 1 (1931)

Clove oil For: Intestinal bacteria
Profile	Oil of cloves can relieve nausea and indigestion, and may relieve diarrhea caused by intestinal bacteria.

Geranium For: Diarrhea and dysentery.
Profile	Geranium is a traditional remedy for diarrhea and dysentery. It is anti-infectious, anti-spasmodic, and astringent, affecting all aspects of this condition. Marlene Ericksen, Healing with Aromatherapy (2000)

Goldenseal For: gastrointestinal diarrhea
Profile	The plant performs at least as well as pharmaceuticals against diarrhea and other gastrointestinal bugs. James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Gum arabic For: Skin inflammations and dysentery
Profile	In west Africa, the gum is used in preparation of a remedy for dysentery and diarrhea, and applied externally for inflammations. Maurice M. Iwu. Handbook of African medicinal plants. (1993),

Meadowsweet For: Diarrhea in children
Profile	Meadowsweet is a specific for diarrhea in children, it's astringent action combined with nutritives makes it safe, mild, and effective. Adele Dawson, Herbs: Partners in Life (2000)

Noni For: diarrhea and dysentery/gum and mouth ulcers
Profile	IThere are a number of traditional uses for Noni, but little if any solid science to back it up has been published to date. According to the Duke ethobotanical database, Morinda Citrifolia is analgesic, used in wound healing and mouth ulcers, diarrhea and dysentery, fevers, rheumatism, and as a purgative amoung other uses. Traditional healers use all parts of the tree (leaves, flowers, fruits, bark, roots) as tonics. . Morinda citrifolia. (), Duke Ethnobotanical Database

Oak bark For: Diarrhea
Profile	Taken internally, oak bark stops the acute diarrhea of gastroenteritis. Used as a douche it is useful for leucorrhoea, and as an ointment for piles. Externally a cold compress is good for burns and cuts. Richard Mabey, The New Age Herbalist (1988)

Oregon grape root For: Diarrhea
Profile	Oregon grape root stops diarrhea by slowing the passage of stool through the small intestine, but it also keeps bacteria from implanting themselves in the lining.

Psyllium For: Fiber
Profile	Traditionally used to treat constipation, the seed husks of P.psyllium provide fiber for a laxative effect. Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

Raspberry tea For: Diarrhea, child
Profile	An effective and safe remedy for children, raspberry tea is given to reduce fever and calm diarrhea. A good tonic herb with a rich supply of vitamins and minerals that help build strong bones and general good health. Generally considered safe, with no unwanted side effects. Maud Grieve, Modern Herbal Volume 2 (1931)

Slippery elm For: Diarrhea, ulcerative colitis
Profile	Slippery elm is used in natural medicine to treat chronic diarrhea, gastritis, peptic and duodenal ulcers, and ulcerative colitis.

St. John's Wort For: Depression, incontinence
Profile	St. Johns wort is used in hysteria and nervous depression . For children troubled with incontinence of urine at night, an infusion or tea of St.Johns wort given before retiring will be found effectual ..St. John's wort is used in all pulmonary complaints, bladder troubles, in suppression of the urine, dysentery, worms, and dirarrhea. Maud Grieve, Modern Herbal Volume 2 (1931)

Yellow dock For: Constipation ,digestive distress
Profile	Constipation and digestive distress are common side effects of iron supplements. A spoonful of molasses with 10-15 drops of yellow dock root tincture in a glass of warm water is a better way to increase iron and improve elimination. Susun Weed, New Menopausal Years, The Wise Woman Way (2002)

Diarrhea Information

• Digestion/Indigestion :
  Bitter herbs are unrivaled stomach tonics. They improve the appetite, promoting digestive juices, peristalsis and the flow of bile.
• Constipation :
  Reserve strong laxatives such as senna, aloe, cascara sagrada, and turkey rhubarb for those occasions when all else fails.
• IBS :
  Herbs and spices when used in preparation of a healthy diet can help maintain good digestion, lessening IBS symptoms.
• Nausea :
  Learn how to use natural herbs and spices to curb nausea and upset stomach.
• Parasites/Worms :
  Herbs are often used in intestinal cleansing and anti-parasite support.
• Culinary :
  Herbs can be thought of as food, medicine, or better yet food pharmacy. They add micro nutrients and vitamins, digestive enzymes and great taste to any meal.