Ayurvedic Treatment for Diarrhea: Causes Symptoms and Home Remedies

Diarrhea

Introduction

Diarrhea, known as Atisara in Ayurveda, is a common digestive disorder characterized by frequent loose stools. It occurs due to imbalances in the Agni (digestive fire) and 3 doshas. While acute diarrhea often results from infections or dietary habits, causes of long-term diarrhea include chronic digestive disorders, food intolerances, or systemic conditions.

Ayurveda emphasizes a natural approach to managing this condition, offering Ayurvedic treatment for diarrhea that focuses on restoring digestive balance, eliminating toxins, and strengthening gut health. This blog explores various Ayurveda therapies, including dietary adjustments, lifestyle modifications, and herbal formulations, which provide effective diarrhea remedies. Ayurvedic home remedies for diarrhea that can help alleviate symptoms and prevent recurrence will also be mentioned. Understanding the reasons for chronic diarrhea and recognizing the signs and symptoms of diarrhea in infants is essential for timely intervention and preventing complications.

What Are the Causes of Diarrhea?

Dietary habits, infections, and metabolic disorders are among the main causes of diarrhea. Reasons for Chronic diarrhea include prolonged digestive disturbances or medical conditions such as ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Infectious causes: bacterial infections such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter; viral infections like norovirus, and rotavirus; and, parasitic infections, such as Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica can lead to diarrhea.
Food intolerances and allergies: People with lactose intolerance or celiac disease may have chronic diarrhea.
Some Medications: Antibiotics and some drugs alter the bacterial flora in the intestine and lead to antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
Chronic Conditions: Diarrhea may itself be due to chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, malabsorption, ulcerative colitis, and neuroendocrine tumors.

According to Ayurveda, the causes are:

Mandagni (Decreased Digestive Fire): The impaired digestive fire or Agni induced by unwholesome food or lifestyle leads to impaired digestion and formation of Ama or toxins, resulting in diarrhea.
Viruddhahara: Incompatible food combinations such as milk or sour fruits, or fish and milk are said to interfere with Agni balancing doshas, and result in a digestive disorder such as diarrhea.
Vishama Ahara (Irregular Eating Habits): Eating at irregular times, taking too hot and spicy, oily, or processed foods in large amounts, and eating more than usual may weaken digestion; disturb Vata, Pitta, and Kapha; and cause diarrhea.
Manasika Hetu (Emotional Factors): Stress, anxiety, and disturbances in the emotional aspects increase Vata dosha, thus disrupting the nervous system’s control regarding digestion, resulting in loose stools and increasing the frequency of bowel movements.
Krimi (Intestinal Infections): The intestinal mucosa may also be infected by various microbes, causing parasitic or infectious diseases such as Krimi (worms and bacteria) that disturb the gut balance, which weakens digestion and causes Atisara (diarrhea), particularly in children.

What Are the Symptoms of Diarrhea?

Different symptoms manifest in diarrhea depending on the imbalance of the three doshas or the causative factor. Below are some of the signs and symptoms:

Increased Frequency of Bowel Movements: Over three loose or watery stools within 24 hours.
Change of Consistency of Stool: Loose, frothy, or mucoid stools, a major deviation from normal consistency.
Abdominal Pain and Cramps: Discomfort, bloating, or cramping sensations in the abdominal area.
Associated Symptoms: Fever, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, possibly with mucus or blood in stool, and weight loss, which suggests dehydration.
Dry mouth, decreased urine output, and sunken eyes may be present in a serious case.

As per Ayurveda

Ayurveda texts describe diarrhea as Atisara, having four types according to body humor. Vataja Atisara has presenting symptoms such as watery frothy stools, abdominal pain, and bloated feeling, and is generally associated with Vata Dosha imbalance. Pittaja Atisara is marked by stools that are loose and yellowish bloody, with abdominal pain, and burning sensations, and often linked to Pitta imbalance. Kapha Atisara is characterized by mucous stools, nausea, and heaviness of the abdomen because of an imbalance of Kapha inside the body. Sannipataja Atisara is where the symptoms are mixed and more severe presentation.

Signs and symptoms of diarrhea in infants include increased stool frequency (more than three loose or watery stools per day), watery or green appearance of stools, vomiting, dehydration, dry mouth, decreased urinary output, and lethargy, and increased irritability and crying because of discomfort. Some of these signs suggest an underlying infection as it may be associated with mild to moderate fever, indicating an infection.

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Diagnosis of Diarrhea

The diagnosis of diarrhea includes an appropriate combination of clinical evaluation and laboratory tests. Significant methods include history taking; stool examination; endoscopy; imaging with biopsy; and molecular tests. Ayurveda diagnosis consists of Dosha Assessment; a review of medical history; stool examination, medical history, and lifestyle factors. Advanced molecular techniques – PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) are expected to enhance the detection of pathogens in stool samples to guide appropriate and accurate treatment and diagnosis.

Ayurveda Treatment for Diarrhea

Atisara Treatment Principles in Ayurveda include avoiding causative factors, fasting, administration of carminative and digestive food and medicines, and purification therapies based on the dosha involvement, severity, and patients’ strength to withstand the therapies.

Nidan Parivarjana: Identification and avoding of the root causes, and improper diet are the most fundamental steps that avoid disease manifestation and manage the symptoms.
Grahi Chikitsa: The treatment modality to stop the excessive flow of body fluids; its main target area is the gastrointestinal tract. This modality prevents excess liquid loss from the body and manages diarrhea.
Improving Agni: It includes measures to enhance the digestive fire for overcoming Agnimandya (diminished digestive capacity) with herbs and diet that would boost digestion further.
Langhan-Deepan-Pachana: Fasting, digestive stimulants, and Carminative medicines are administered.
Shodhana Chikitsa: Purification methodologies specific to the problem, eliminating toxins from the system, and primarily cleansing the digestive tract. Picha Vasti is especially administered in case of diarrhea.
Aama- Nashaka: Specific herbs digest and eliminate Ama (toxins), which disturb normal digestion and absorption.
Electrolyte replacement therapy: Replacing fluids and electrolytes lost through Yusha (a soup made from vegetables or pulses), Manda (the supernatant water from Ganji), etc, to avoid dehydration and supplement body functions.

The Ayurveda remedy for diarrhea includes dietary management, or Ahara, which builds wholesome food and avoids unwholesome food, namely Apathya, herbal remedies. Lifestyle modifications such as rest and stress management would help restore health entirely. It can rekindle Agni and avoid more diarrhea events for the treatment.

Home Remedies for Diarrhea

Mix half a tumbler of churned buttermilk with rock salt, roasted cumin seed powder, and black pepper (each 2 g) and drink one glass two times daily.
Ginger freshly grated (approx. 3 g) boiled in water can be taken 2-3 times a day in loose motion due to indigestion.
Fenugreek seed powder (2-4 g) may be mixed with curd for diarrhea associated with abdominal cramps.
One gram of powdered pomegranate rind can be taken with buttermilk twice daily.
Boil one glass of buttermilk with turmeric (1 g), asafoetida (1 pinch), and curry leaves powder (2 g) for 5 minutes and drink twice a day.
Grind and sieve a handful of coriander and soak it in 2 glasses of boiled and cooled water overnight. After filtering, drink this with sugar or plain, 2-3 times a day.
Drink lots of water, tender coconut water, or orange juice to stay hydrated. Eat light-to-digest food like parched rice porridge, khichdi, or ganji only when hungry.

Contact a healthcare provider if symptoms persist or worsen.

When to Seek the Doctors

Although Ayurvedic home remedies for diarrhea are effective, medical attention is needed in cases of severe dehydration. Persistent diarrhea, especially in infants, can lead to dangerous fluid loss, and chronic digestive issues may require deeper assessment.

Conclusion

Diarrhea can be effectively managed through Ayurvedic treatment for diarrhea, focusing on balancing digestion and restoring overall gut health. Identifying causes of long-term diarrhea and addressing them with the right dietary and lifestyle changes ensures long-term relief. Ayurveda diarrhea remedy options, including home-based treatments, provide gentle yet effective solutions. However, seeking medical help is essential in persistent or severe cases.

FAQs

What is the best natural remedy for diarrhea?

The best Ayurveda diarrhea remedy includes pomegranate juice, ginger tea, and buttermilk with roasted cumin, which help soothe the digestive system and restore balance.

What is the instant treatment for diarrhea?

For quick relief, Ayurvedic home remedies for diarrhea like coriander-infused water, buttermilk with cumin seeds, pomegranate rind powder with honey, etc are beneficial.

How to stop diarrhea fast in Ayurveda?

To stop diarrhea quickly consume astringent taste decoctions such as black tea, buttermilk with fenugreek powder, and hydration with spiced water to prevent further irritation.

What is the instant stop for diarrhea?

Mix churned buttermilk with salt, cumin, and black pepper and consume twice a day. Ginger, fenugreek seed powder, pomegranate rind, turmeric, and curry leaves powder can also be utilized with warm water, avoiding heavy food.

What dietary changes does Ayurveda recommend during diarrhea?

During diarrhea, Ayurvedic treatment for diarrhea advises a diet of light, warm, and easy-to-digest foods like rice porridge, Ganji, and coriander or cumin-infused water to aid digestion and restore balance. Using wood apples, and pomegranates in your diet is beneficial. Avoid, heavy, spicy, and solid foods.

REFERENCES

Niraj, S, Varsha, S (2018). Chronic and persistent diarrhea in children and its treatment in Ayurveda. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 7, 43-45

K, J R, Singh, O P (2023). A Clinical Case Study on Pittaja Atisara with reference to Ulcerative Colitis. International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharma Research

Mishra, A et al. (2016). Therapeutic significance and pharmacological activities of antidiarrheal medicinal plants mentioned in Ayurveda: A review. Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology, 5, 290 – 307

Shete-Mapari, P (2021). Role of Laja Manda in the management of Atisara (diarrhea) from Ayurvedic and modern perspective. National Journal of Research in Ayurved Science

Chaudhary, B et al. (2024). Critical Insights into the Therapeutic Potential of Piccha Basti. International Research Journal of Ayurveda & Yoga

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