Let's talk about poop!
Poop can tell you a lot about a person.
Primarily, it is a significant indication of gut health. It can also signal stress in the body, hydration, brain/ nervous system regulation, immune function, and other organ functions.
The color, smell, and shape also let you know what areas of the body may be affected.
What is diarrhea?
Diarrhea is characterized by loose, watery stools that are sometimes frequent throughout the day.
In acute (short-term) situations, diarrhea is a normal reaction when the body is trying to purge something rancid and contaminated or as a reaction to food allergies.
Chronic (long-term) diarrhea is due to weak digestion.
Contributing factors to weak digestion are poor diet containing processed foods, lack of fiber and nutrients, GMO/non-organic foods sprayed with pesticides and herbicides, stress, overwork, lack of sleep, alcohol, recreational drugs, pharmaceuticals, surgery, chronic illness, and trauma.
What kind of diarrhea do you have?
In Oriental Medicine, there are two main types of symptoms we look for, hot or cold.
Once you determine what kind of diarrhea you have, you can have the best at-home remedy!
Hot diarrhea symptoms include:
Explosive watery bowel movements (you know what I'm talking about- it explodes out of you!)
Gas
Stinky odor
Feeling hot (dislike hot weather)
It can also be accompanied by the following:
Acid reflux
Heartburn
Stomach or intestinal pain
Headaches
Remedy for hot diarrhea
It’s essential to avoid hot, spicy, fried, grilled, raw, icy food, ice-cold drinks/ water, juices, and smoothies. Eliminate hot spices such as cinnamon, pepper, cayenne, and hot sauce, honey, cow's milk, apricot, plum, sesame seed, oils, and any known foods challenging to digest.
Eat congee. It’s a grain cooked for an extended period to make it easy to digest. Traditionally, rice is used, but you can also use oats or millet.
Drink one of the following teas- raspberry leaf, marjoram, peppermint, and/ or nettle.
Mung bean soup with bone broth is also helpful for clearing heat and detoxing.
Cold diarrhea symptoms include:
Watery bowel movement
No odor
No gas
Possible mucus
Chills
Feeling cold (likes warm weather)
Cold remedies
It is important to avoid cold, icy, raw foods and drinks such as salads, juices, smoothies, ice cream, yogurt, and ice-cold beverages (water, tea, coffee, soda, etc). Really, anything that comes out of the refrigerator or freezer.
Adding warm bone broth soup is ideal.
You can also make congee in bone broth for extra warmth and nourishment.
Here is my recipe for oatmeal congee! Add cinnamon and nutmeg for extra warmth.
Sip on warm tea such as cinnamon, ginger, or both!
General Diarrhea Remedy
Eating small meals and chewing food well for both types of diarrhea is essential.
Start by eating soft, easy-to-digest foods such as congee, oatmeal, and bone broth soup. Then slowly add more variety.
Avoid honey, cow's milk, apricot, plum, sesame seed, oils, and any known foods challenging to digest until the diarrhea has resolved.
Stay hydrated! Drink lots of water and consider adding electrolytes. I recommend these CLEAN brands, Goodonya and Redmond's Real Salt Re-Lyte.
These at-home remedies are specifically for diarrhea that has occurred for only a few days.
If you have more chronic symptoms or are not improving, consider scheduling an appointment at our office.
We offer both in-person and telemedicine appointments!