Diarrhea: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Diarrhea is a condition characterized by the frequent and loose passage of watery stools, often accompanied by abdominal cramps, bloating, and dehydration.

It can be caused by bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections, food poisoning, stress, anxiety, or an imbalance of gut bacteria. If left untreated, diarrhea can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and malnutrition, potentially exacerbating underlying health conditions. To alleviate diarrhea, herbal remedies such as peppermint, chamomile, and slippery elm can be used to soothe the digestive system.

However, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, especially if you have a pre-existing condition or are taking medications.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of diarrhea, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of diarrhea?

The main causes of diarrhea are bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections, food poisoning, and inflammatory bowel diseases.

Bacterial causes include Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli, and Campylobacter, which can contaminate food and water, while viral causes include Norovirus, Rotavirus, and Adenovirus, which spread through fecal-oral transmission. Parasitic infections such as Giardiasis, Cryptosporidiosis, and Cysticercosis can also cause diarrhea due to the ingestion of contaminated food or water. Non-infectious causes include lactose intolerance, celiac disease, and medications such as antibiotics, which can alter gut flora and lead to diarrhea.

Additionally, stress, anxiety, and hormonal changes can also contribute to diarrhea in some individuals.

• Bacterial Infections: Bacterial infections, such as those caused by Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter, lead to diarrhea as the bacteria invade and infect the intestinal lining, producing toxins that disrupt the normal balance of gut bacteria and impair the intestines' ability to absorb nutrients and water.
• Viral Gastroenteritis: Viral gastroenteritis, often caused by norovirus and rotavirus, results in diarrhea due to the virus's ability to infect and damage the intestinal cells, leading to inflammation, increased permeability of the gut lining, and impaired water and electrolyte absorption.
• Food Poisoning: Food poisoning, typically caused by consuming contaminated or spoiled food, triggers diarrhea as the body's immune response to the toxins produced by bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens leads to inflammation, increased gut motility, and impaired nutrient and water absorption.
• Medications: Medications, such as antibiotics, antacids, and laxatives, can cause diarrhea as a side effect due to their ability to alter the balance of gut bacteria, impair the intestines' ability to absorb nutrients and water, or directly stimulate the gut to move contents more rapidly through the digestive system.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Irritable bowel syndrome, characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits, often leads to diarrhea due to abnormalities in gut motility, hypersensitivity to food or stress, and impaired nutrient and water absorption.
• Lactose Intolerance: Lactose intolerance, resulting from a deficiency of lactase enzyme in the small intestine, causes diarrhea as undigested lactose is fermented by bacteria in the colon, producing gas, water, and short-chain fatty acids that contribute to the development of diarrhea.
• Celiac Disease: Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder triggered by the ingestion of gluten, leads to diarrhea due to the immune system's response to gluten, resulting in inflammation, impaired nutrient and water absorption, and damage to the villi of the small intestine.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Inflammatory bowel disease, encompassing conditions such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, causes diarrhea due to chronic inflammation, impaired nutrient and water absorption, and damage to the intestinal lining, leading to a disruption in the normal balance of gut bacteria and impaired gut function.
• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes, particularly during pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause, can lead to diarrhea as the fluctuations in hormone levels affect the balance of gut bacteria, alter gut motility, and impair nutrient and water absorption.
• Anxiety and Stress: Anxiety and stress can cause diarrhea as the body's 'fight or flight' response leads to increased gut motility, impaired nutrient and water absorption, and altered gut function, contributing to the development of diarrhea.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for diarrhea?

The main medicinal herbs used for diarrhea are Zingiber officinale, Curcuma longa, Cinchona officinalis, Aloe vera, Cassia auriculata, Terminalia chebula, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Aloe barbadensis, Rauvolfia serpentina, Magnolia officinalis.

Zingiber officinale, also known as ginger, contains compounds like gingerol and shogaol that have anti-inflammatory properties and help slow down gut contractions, reducing diarrhea. Curcuma longa, or turmeric, has curcumin, which possesses potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help alleviate diarrhea symptoms by reducing inflammation in the gut. Cinchona officinalis contains quinine, a natural anti-diarrheal agent that helps reduce gut motility and fluid secretion, thus alleviating diarrhea.

Additionally, Cassia auriculata, Terminalia chebula, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Aloe barbadensis, Rauvolfia serpentina, and Magnolia officinalis have been traditionally used to treat various gastrointestinal disorders, including diarrhea, due to their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, which help soothe the gut and restore its natural balance.

• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, helps with diarrhea due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce inflammation in the digestive tract and alleviate symptoms of diarrhea.
• Curcuma longa: Curcuma longa, also known as turmeric, helps with diarrhea because its active compound curcumin has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that soothe the digestive system and reduce inflammation, thereby alleviating diarrhea symptoms.
• Cinchona officinalis: Cinchona officinalis, the source of quinine, helps with diarrhea due to its antiperistaltic properties, which slow down bowel movements and reduce the frequency of diarrhea.
• Aloe vera: Aloe vera helps with diarrhea due to its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, which calm the digestive tract and reduce inflammation, thereby alleviating diarrhea symptoms.
• Cassia auriculata: Cassia auriculata, also known as vasa, helps with diarrhea due to its antispasmodic properties, which reduce spasms in the digestive tract and alleviate symptoms of diarrhea.
• Terminalia chebula: Terminalia chebula, commonly known as haritaki, helps with diarrhea due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which soothe the digestive system and reduce inflammation, thereby alleviating diarrhea symptoms.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra, also known as licorice root, helps with diarrhea due to its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, which calm the digestive tract and reduce inflammation, thereby alleviating diarrhea symptoms.
• Aloe barbadensis: Aloe barbadensis, also known as aloe vera, helps with diarrhea due to its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, which calm the digestive tract and reduce inflammation, thereby alleviating diarrhea symptoms.
• Rauvolfia serpentina: Rauvolfia serpentina, commonly known as snakeroot, helps with diarrhea due to its antispasmodic properties, which reduce spasms in the digestive tract and alleviate symptoms of diarrhea.
• Magnolia officinalis: Magnolia officinalis, also known as hoelen, helps with diarrhea due to its antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce spasms in the digestive tract and alleviate symptoms of diarrhea.

What are the main herbal preparations used for diarrhea?

The main herbal preparations used for diarrhea are Decoction, Tincture, Capsule, Suppository, Powder, Elixir, Gel, Salve, Tea, Ointment.

Decoction is a liquid preparation made by boiling herbs in water to extract their active compounds, used for herbs like Peppermint and Ginger. Tincture is a concentrated liquid solution of herbs in a solvent, often used for herbs like Aloe Vera and Slippery Elm. Capsules, Suppositories, Powder, Elixir, Gel, Salve, Tea, Ointment are also used, containing herbs like Triphala, Psyllium, and Activated Charcoal, which are effective in treating diarrhea due to their anti-inflammatory, astringent, and adsorbent properties.

These preparations are used to treat diarrhea because they help to slow down bowel movements, reduce inflammation, and absorb excess fluids, providing relief from symptoms.

• Decoction: A decoction of the leaves of the Plantago major plant, which contain tannins that help to astringent and reduce the frequency of diarrhea.
• Tincture: A tincture of the root of the Ipecacuanha plant, which contains emetine that helps to slow down gut movements and reduce the frequency of diarrhea.
• Capsule: A capsule filled with the dried leaves of the Peppermint plant, which contain menthol that helps to relax the muscles in the gut and reduce diarrhea.
• Suppository: A suppository of the root of the Aloe vera plant, which contains aloin that helps to slow down gut movements and reduce the frequency of diarrhea.
• Powder: A powder of the seeds of the Psyllium plant, which contain mucilage that helps to absorb water and reduce the frequency of diarrhea.
• Elixir: An elixir of the root of the Glycyrrhiza plant, which contains glycyrrhizin that helps to soothe the gut and reduce inflammation that may contribute to diarrhea.
• Gel: A gel of the leaves of the Aloe vera plant, which contains aloin that helps to slow down gut movements and reduce the frequency of diarrhea.
• Salve: A salve of the root of the Calendula plant, which contains triterpenoids that help to soothe the gut and reduce inflammation that may contribute to diarrhea.
• Tea: A tea of the leaves of the Slippery elm plant, which contains mucilage that helps to soothe the gut and reduce inflammation that may contribute to diarrhea.
• Ointment: An ointment of the root of the Myrrh plant, which contains terpenoids that help to reduce inflammation and soothe the gut, potentially reducing diarrhea.