What
is Diarrhea ?
Diarrhea
is a condition of frequent, loose or watery stools. If it becomes
severe, dehydration can occur along with collapse of energy and potential
threat to life.
Diarrhea
may be due to exogenous factors such as heavy meals or difficult to
digest foods. Such are foods, which are too oily, too watery, too
dry, too hard, too hot or too cold. Wrong food combinations, such
as milk with meat or fish; or eating another meal before the previous
meal is digested; irregularity in eating habits; or eating unaccustomed
foods, may be additional causes. Impure food and water, food poisoning,
parasites, changes in seasons, stomach flu or emotional disturbances
— panic or grief — can also bring it about.
This
condition is termed as Atisara in Ayurveda. Further in Ayurveda ,
diarrhea is also described to be induced by mental causes and toxins.
Atisar is classified into 7 distinct types, namely Bataja, Pittaja,
Kaphaja, Bhayaja (caused by fear), Tridoshaja, Shokaja (caused by
grief) and raktatisara (diarrhoea associated with bleeding).
What
is the differentiation?
Diarrhea
is most commonly a Pitta (fire) condition, as Pitta tends to accumulate
dampness and has the mildest tone of the colon. Yet it may also be
due to high Vata (air), high Kapha (water), high Ama (toxins) or psychological
factors.
Pitta
diarrhea is usually yellow, foul smelling, and may be mixed with pus
or blood. It tends to be hot and there may be a burning sensation
at the rectum. There may be thirst, dryness and possibly fever. This
is what is usually seen in most acute cases of bacterial dysentery.
Vata
diarrhea involves pain, cramping, tenesmus, passing of gas and frequent
motions without much stool being passed. Diarrhea and constipation
may alternate, or a period of constipation or lack of bowel movements
may precede the diarrhea.
Kapha
diarrhea is whitish in color, viscous and contains phlegm. There is
a feeling of heaviness, torpor and lassitude. Motions are not frequent
but tend to have more quantity.
What
is the general treatment ?
In
the beginning astringents should not be used, as they can cause the
toxins to be held in the body. There should be fasting with herbs
to burn up toxins (spices and bitters). Many anti-parasitical herbs
may be helpful—pomegranate, vidanga.
Foods
for improving absorption in the small intestine should be taken first;
buttermilk is good, along with a bland whole grain diet, mung gruel
or kicharee. An anti-Ama or detoxifying approach is best. Good spices
for diarrhea include ginger, long pepper, saffron, coriander and cardamom.
Should
severe or watery diarrhea persist for more than a few days, the use
of astringents to bind the stool will be required.
Pitta
(Fire) Diarrhea
An
anti-Pitta diet is required; hot spices should be avoided, particularly
chilies, even garlic. Do not take any form of alcohol. Oily, greasy
and fried foods will also make the condition worse. No oil massage
should be given. The abdomen should be kept cool.
Ayurvedic
therapy involves first the use of bitter herbs, then secondarily,
astringents.
Vata
(Air) Type
Anti-Vata
diet is indicated and carminative spices — ginger, cardamom,
fennel, asafoetida. Buttermilk is specific.
Kapha
(Water) Type
Kapha
diarrhea involves mucus in the stool. Treatment consists of an anti-Kapha
diet. Dairy, fats, oils, sweets, pastries and breads should be avoided.
Hot spices work well including cayenne, dry ginger and black pepper
and most herbs to increase the digestive fire.
Common
recipes:
During
diarrhea, ensure that you are on a suitable diet to overcome dehydration,
as advised by your physician. Home remedies are just supplementary
approaches.
-
Whey
and buttermilk are considered effective remedies for diarrhea.
Whey is the liquid protion of curd while buttermilk is obtained
by churning the curd ahter the fat has been removed. Take any
one part of them in small volumes at frequent intervals.
-
Raw
banana is an effective astrigent and is recommended widely as
a diet for treating diarrhea. Cut one raw banana into three pieces
and soften them in a pressure cooker using an adequate volume
of water. Drain out the excess water separate the peel and mash
the softened pulp well. In a skillet, roast a small volume of
poppy seeds till they turn brown. Grind them to obtain a fine
powder. Add this powder to banana mash together with a pinch of
salt. This delicious and nutritious recipe cheeks diarrhoea through
its astrigent properties.
-
The
dried rind of a pomegranate is an invaluable remedy for diarrhea.
A fine powder of this rind 1 gm twice a day, taken with buttermilk
helps check the frequency of loose motions.
