Constipation & Diarrhoea
Constipation
Insufficient dietary fibre and fluids and not enough exercise are the primary causes of constipation. Eating more whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, drinking plenty of water, and exercising daily will resolve most cases of sluggish bowels. To avoid weakening the intestinal tract, don't rely on laxatives even herbal laxatives for more than occasional relief from constipation.
Herbal relief for constipation
Cascara sagrada is an effective and gentle herbal intestinal stimulant and
is a popular ingredient in over-thecounter and prescription laxatives. Ginger
and fennel mask its bitter taste and help relieve gas and intestinal cramps.
I teaspoon dried cascara sagrada bark 'h teaspoon fresh or dried ginger root
Ii teaspoon fennel seeds S00ml (I6fl oz) water
Simmer the herbs and water in a covered pot for ten minutes. Remove from the
heat and allow to steep for an additional ten minutes. Strain, add sweetener
if desired, and drink 250m1 (8fl oz) before bed and another cup in the morning
if necessary. If you prefer, you can take cascara sagrada
extract; dilute half a teaspoon in a small amount of warm water.
Lemon reliever
To relieve mild constipation, drink a glass of warm water mixed with the juice
from half a lemon first thing in the morning.
Add additional fibre
For stubborn constipation, add additional bulk to your diet in the form of
fibre supplements such as psyllium husks.Take one to three teaspoons daily
stirred into a glass of warm water, followed by an additional glass of water.
Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day when taking fibre supplements
to avoid creating constipation.
Diarrhoea
Acute diarrhoea is the body's attempt to rid itself of toxins, irritants, or infection in the intestinal tract. Diarrhoea can be especially serious in young children because it can quickly cause dangerous dehydration.
Prevent dehydration
Increasing fluid intake will prevent dehydration. Drink up to ten glasses
of fluids daily Try 250m1(8fl oz) of apple juice in 500m1 (I 6fl oz) of water-it
helps to replace lost potassium and is easily absorbed.
Eat a brown apple
To help stop an attack of diarrhoea, shred a peeled apple on to a plate, let
it turn brown, and eat it. Apples contain pectin, which helps bind loose stools.
Eat bananas and carob
Bananas and carob are both rich in pectin, which binds loose stools. Eat banana
mashed with a tablespoon or two of carob powder. One serving may take -care
of the problem, or yor may need more.This is an especially good remedy for
children.
Herbal tea
Catnip eases abdominal cramps and the emotional tension that may contribute
to diarrhoea. Peppermint
helps expel wind and calms intestinal spasms. Raspberry leaf contains astringent
compounds called tannins, which soothe intestinal inflammation.
500m1(I6f1 oz) boiling water
2 teaspoons dried catnip
2 teaspoons dried peppermint
2 teaspoons dried raspberry leaf
Pour the water over the herbs. Cover, and steep for 15 minutes. Strain, sweeten
if desired, and drink 12Sml (4fl oz) every hour
Traveller's diarrhoea
Protect yourself from harmful germs by drinking only bottled water, eating
properly cooked foods, washing your hands before eating, and only eating raw
foods that can be peeled. If you do come down with diarrhoea, try goldenseal.Take
half a teaspoon of extract or two 500-b00mg capsules three times daily. about
15 minutes before eating. Caution: Do not take goldenseal if you have high
blood pressure or are pregnant.
Restore intestinal flora
To reestablish healthy intestinal flora,
take a Lactobacillus acidophilus
supplement for a couple of weeks following a bout of diarrhoea.
