purewellnessamy

Not. It’s not funny at all. As you may have inferred from the title, I’m talking about diarrhea, folks. 

Ugh, I know, I’d honestly prefer not to have to write about this, but my husband has been sick off and on since Thursday night, and Peter just started with it last night. I’ve been spared so far, but I can only imagine that my misery is right around the corner.  (And right about now my husband is probably planning to divorce me for discussing his intestinal disorders on the internet yet again. Sorry, dear.)

We were away this weekend to take part in my sister-in-law’s utterly magnificent wedding (congrats Ange & Brian!) (Pete got through the weekend as best as he could, poor guy).  We got home late last night, so first thing this morning I hit the books to accumulate a list of natural remedies for fighting this most unpleasant illness.  

Since my boys aren’t the only ones in the world battling a stomach bug, I thought I’d share what I’ve found with the hope that one or more of the tips might relieve you or your loved ones who are plagued with a bug:

From Food and Healing, p. 279, by Annmarie Colbin

“There are two very effective old remedies…

• cooked white rice;
• grated apple with skin, allowed to turn brown”

Grated apples

From Healing with Whole Foods, Third Edition, p 383, by Paul Pitchford

“General remedies for all types of diarrhea:

• rice or barley broth (this would be the water in which you cook the rice or barley. Boil 1/2 c rice in 3 cups water for 45 minutes. Drain rice, reserving water in a bowl or cup. Drink throughout the day. Also eat the rice. - pwa)
• blackberry juice
• garlic (especially good for diarrhea from bacterial contamination) (I am currently eating a clove of raw garlic as a preventative measure – pwa)
• leek*
• string bean
• eggplant*
• sunflower seed
• umeboshi plum
• crab apple*
• olive*
• aduki bean
• sweet rice
• button mushroom
• yam
• carrot
• buckwheat

*These foods are considered “obstructive” and tend to retard the flows and movements in the body.”

From the above list, you could make a tasty, beneficial soup from rice broth (maybe mixed with vegetable broth), minced garlic, cooked rice, cooked aduki beans, diced carrots and button mushrooms.

Rice and rice broth

From Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing, Third Edition, p. 327, by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC

• “Do not drink apple juice, as this can make diarrhea worse.
• Avoid high fiber food, which may stress the digestive system. Instead, stick to foods that are easy to digest, such as cooked potatoes, rice, bananas, applesauce, or toast.
• Do not consume any dairy products (except for low-fat soured products.) They are highly allergenic. Moreover, diarrhea causes a temporary loss of the enzyme needed to digest lactose (milk sugar). Limit your intake of fats and foods containing gluten, including barley, oats, rye and wheat. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods.”

And from the purewellnessamy department of common sense: STAY HYDRATED. Sip water, warm herbal tea (ginger root or peppermint are good choices), carrot juice, or rice, chicken, and/or vegetable broth. I hesitate to add flat soda to the list because I am staunchly anti-soda, but I do realize that the old-school flat ginger ale remedy appeals to a lot of people. So, if it will make you feel better, go ahead and drink it.

Peter has gone into the refrigerator twice this morning to take out his container of plain yogurt.  I respected his body’s request for this and gave him two small bowls along with some grated brown apple. I think it’s kind of amazing that he is craving yogurt — a food rich with healing probiotics.  It is a dairy product, but it is a “soured product” that was said to be acceptable in Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing.

Generally, diarrhea simply needs to run its course. But if you or your child is sick for more than 3 or 4 days, you should call your doctor.  Call your doctor immediately if you or your child has:

•  a high fever (over 101 degrees)
• blood in the stool
• stool that looks like black tar
• severe rectal or abdominal pain
• signs of dehydration, such as wrinkled skin, excessively dry mouth, or if there is no urination in any 8-hour period.

If your baby has diarrhea, be safe and contact your pediatrician immediately. Babies quickly become dehydrated and should be closely monitored.

Finally, if you’re feeling a little sore in a certain area, try using moistened wipes instead of toilet paper.

I now have to go attend to my sick little buddy.  I plan to administer this old remedy:  lots of Mommy cuddles, hugs and kisses. Along with a cup of rice broth.

He may be sick, but he can still smile