NATURAL HEALING GUIDE

Diarrhea with vomiting is a potentially dangerous condition that can be triggered by food allergies, bacteria, viruses, spoiled food, environmental toxins, metabolic disturbances or antibiotic treatments. Diarrhea may be thin, watery and foul smelling and accompanied by cramping, abdominal pain. The illness may also be accompanied by vomiting and a feeling of being bloated. A fever may also be present. Typically, the body loses a great deal of fluid with diarrhea, often resulting in tremendous thirst. Home remedies begin with a special diet that includes plenty of liquids, such as mineral water and teas made from antibacterial and anti-inflammatory medicinal plants. Warm abdominal compresses can also help. However, if the diarrhea is bloody, if abdominal pain is severe, if the diarrhea lasts longer than 3 days or if fever increases sharply, a serious infection may be at work and a physician should be consulted immediately.

Purging Toxins
Diarrhea and vomiting are self help mechanisms your body uses to remove substances that cause illness from the intestines and stomach. In some cases, you must let the illness run its course so that toxins can be completely eliminated. It is never wise to stop diarrhea by taking constipating remedies.

What you can do?
You should not eat anything for the first three days, to spare the intestines further work and irritation. However, be sure to drink plenty of liquids, at least four times the usual amount, so you don't get dehydrated. Try weak black tea or other therapeutic teas. After three days, you may eat toast, crackers, rice or vegetable broth. You can also apply warm abdominal compresses or take acidophilus supplements.

Garlic as a preventive food
Because of its high sulfur content, garlic helps to regulate digestive activity and kill germs. Try taking garlic capsules, or use liberal amounts of fresh garlic in your cooking as a preventive measure. Avoid garlic if you don't digest onions well.

Apple vinegar for intestinal function
Apple vinegar contains large amounts of potassium, pectin and beta carotene. These gently help restore destroyed intestinal flora so intestinal function can return to normal. Drink a glass of noncarbonated mineral water with 2 teaspoons of apple vinegar three times a day until the problem eases. A damp, hot compress soaked with apple vinegar soothes pain; apply it to the abdomen for two hours twice daily…

Soothing flaxseed pouch
A flaxseed pack relaxes gastrointestinal cramping and discomfort due to inflammation. Fill a fabric pouch big enough to cover the lower abdomen with raw flaxseed or rice and stitch closed. Hang the pouch over a pot of boiling water to heat it with the steam for about 30 mins, or heat it in a microwave. Place the pouch (as hot as you can stand) on your abdomen. Cover with a towel and a wool blanket and leave in place for about one hour.

Foods for health
Try a mineral rich broth when you're ill with diarrhea. Simmer chard, collard greens, kale or other dark green, leafy vegetables for 1 hr. with a little vinegar. Strain off the broth and drink.

Therapeutic Teas

Illnesses accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting weaken the body because they cause a great loss of minerals and fluids. Therapeutic teas can help restore proper gastrointestinal activity and resupply the body with fluids.

For diarrhea in adults

4 tbsp. alfalfa leaves
3 tbsp. oat straw
3 tbsp. shredded licorice root
3 tbsp. raspberry or blackberry leaves
2 tbsp. thyme

For nausea in adults

3 tbsp. peppermint leaves
3 tbsp. chamomile flowers
3 tbsp. shredded licorice root
3 tbsp. fennel seeds

Pour 1 cup boiling water over 3 tsp. of the herb mixture. Steep for 10 min.; strain. Drink 2-3 cups a day.

For children

1 oz. marsh mallow leaves
1 oz. shredded licorice root
1 oz. blackberry leaves

Pour 1 cup of hot water over 1 tbsp. of the herb mixture. Steep and strain. Have the child drink up to 3 cups a day.

Vacation tips

Vacationing in tropical regions poses great risks for travelers: it can be hard to avoid the germ infected foods that cause diarrhea and vomiting. Here are some tips for preventing this illness.

• Avoid tap water. Drink only boiled water, coffee and tea, or bottled water.
  
• Use noncarbonated mineral water to brush your teeth instead of tap water.
  
• Give up ice cream, and stay away from cold drinks cooled with ice cubes.
  
• Do not eat raw vegetables, especially salad greens, which are usually washed in tap water. To be safe, stick to cooked vegetables and to raw fruits that you peel.