This Brazilian plant is a great natural antidiarrheal agent

If you’ve ever suffered from diarrhea, then you know how much of an inconvenience it can be. The frequent and unpredictable bowel movement of loose, watery stool associated with this condition can leave you so tired — you might not even want to get out of the bathroom anymore. Although there are conventional remedies to this condition, such as antibiotics, these medications also have a tendency to worsen diarrhea. This highlights the need for antidiarrheal treatments that are safe and effective to use, especially since diarrhea is a major contributor to cases of malnutrition, morbidity, and mortality worldwide.

One plant that researchers from the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco and the Federal University of Pernambuco in Brazil found to have potential use as a natural remedy against diarrhea is jurubeba (Solanum paniculatum). This plant has long been used as a traditional remedy for anemia, liver disorder, hangovers, and digestive problems. Additionally, studies have shown that jurubeba can be used against tuberculosis, malaria, high blood pressure, inflammatory diseases, and fever. These therapeutic applications can be attributed to the different compounds present in the plant, which include steroids, terpenes, alkaloids, and saponins.

In this study, which was published in The Brazilian Journal of Pharmacognosy, the researchers determined the antidiarrheal activity of jurubeba extracts in male albino rats. They used three different setups to determine jurubeba’s antidiarrheal potential. The first of these was castor oil-induced diarrhea, wherein they measured the weight of feces excreted. They also measured gastrointestinal motility based on how far a charcoal meal was able to travel in the intestines. Lastly, they used a model for castor oil-induced enteropooling, which shows how much fluid has accumulated in the intestines. The results of these tests showed that jurubeba significantly reduced the weight of feces, slowed down movement through the intestines, and prevented the accumulation of intestinal fluid.

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Additionally, the researchers identified the anti-inflammatory compound called chlorogenic acid to be the main component found in the plant extracts. They believed that this compound contributes to the reduced accumulation of intestinal fluid since excessive fluid secretion involves an inflammatory response.

Overall, these results prove that the Brazilian plant jurubeba has potential use as a natural remedy for diarrhea. This therapeutic application can partially be attributed to the presence of chlorogenic acid. (Related: A guide to treating diarrhea using natural remedies.)

Natural remedies for diarrhea

If you don’t have access to jurubeba, don’t worry — there are other natural remedies for diarrhea that you can use. Some examples of these include the following:

• Coconut water — Two glasses of coconut water per day prevents you from getting dehydrated due to diarrhea. It is packed with electrolytes that restore those that have been lost through stool. Moreover, coconut water improves blood circulation so that you can feel better in no time.
• Apple cider vinegar — Apple cider vinegar restores the pH of the stomach so it won’t be favorable for the growth of diarrhea-causing bacteria. To enjoy this benefit, add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to a tall glass of water and drink this solution up to two times per day.
• Yogurt — Probiotic foods like yogurt contain live beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These bacteria colonize the digestive tract, and in the process of doing so, they also eliminate harmful bacteria. Eat two bowls of yogurt per day until the symptoms of diarrhea vanish.
• Bananas — Bananas contain large amounts of pectin, a compound that absorbs fluids in the intestine to make stools less watery. Moreover, this fruit is rich in potassium so it can replenish the electrolytes lost due to frequent bowel movements.
• Green tea — If you suffer from diarrhea caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori then green tea is the best natural remedy for you. This herbal drink is rich in catechins that work against this harmful bacteria. Additionally, green tea is rich in antioxidants that are effective against all types of diarrhea, regardless of cause.

For more articles about natural remedies for diarrhea, visit NaturalCures.news.

Sources include:

Science.news

ScienceDirect.com

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