Choosing the best herbal treatment for diarrhea can depend on whether your condition is chronic or acute, and also what the underlying causes are. Some infections that cause this condition may actually be made worse by certain herbs, and it is also especially important to speak with a medical professional before using an herbal treatment for diarrhea on an infant. If you have determined that it is safe to try out an herbal treatment for diarrhea, you will typically want to choose one that can be prepared as a tea. Blackberry leaf, and other astringent herbs, can be good choices if you want to dry out your intestinal mucous membranes, and inflammation reducers, such as chamomile and marshmallow root, can also help soothe your irritated intestinal tract. If you want to help fight off an infection, then a tea made from barberry or goldenseal may be a good choice.
Before attempting any type of herbal treatments, it is typically a good idea to consult with a medical professional. This is due to the fact that some herbal treatments may actually aggravate underlying conditions, or interact badly with medications you are taking. Although often a symptom of other ailments, diarrhea is a potentially dangerous condition if continues for very long; thus if the herbal remedy does not work, be prepared to seek urgent professional medical care. You can also make certain judgments based on factors you are aware of, such as what foods you have recently eaten, in order to choose the best herbal treatment for diarrhea.
The four types of herbs that can be used to help treat diarrhea fall into the categories of astringents, inflammation reducers, infection fighters, and compounds that are capable of forming bulk. Astringent herbs are good for drying out the mucous membranes of your intestinal tract, and two good choices are blackberry leaf and carob powder. Agrimony and bilberry can also have astringent effects, though they also act as blood thinners. If you are already on blood thinners, then you should stay away from these herbs.
Inflammation reducers, such as quercetin, marshmallow root and chamomile, can all be good herbal treatments for diarrhea symptoms. You may also want to try an infection fighter that contains berberine, such as barberry or goldenseal, though these are typically poor choices if you are breastfeeding or pregnant. No herbal treatments should be given to infants either, unless you have discussed the situation with a medical professional.
There are also herbal and dietary treatments that involve adding bulk. One option you may want to try is psyllium, which is a type of soluble fiber that can help absorb water in your colon. This can be a good herbal treatment for diarrhea if you are a chronic sufferer, as can making other relevant dietary choices, such as avoiding extremely oily foods. It is important to drink plenty of fluids any time you are suffering from diarrhea, as dehydration can rapidly set in, though a chronic situation may call for an increase in your dietary fiber intake as well.