Constipation and diarrhoea can be caused by a poor diet, food poisoning, bacteria, virus or yeast infections, disease, parasites and worms, medications and an imbalance of good bacteria in the intestines.
Coffee and too much fatty meat and sugar can also have a profound and detrimental effect on digestion. Coffee creates the toxin caffeine hydrochloride when it hits the stomach which causes the liver to over produce bile.
Meat can become stuck to the intestinal walls forming undigested clumps of rancid fats that can lead to constipation.
Sugar feeds pathogenic bacteria, viruses and yeasts which then proliferate causing imbalance and infections.
Alcohol irritates the intestines, leading to increased muscle contractions and faster movement of waste through the colon, which reduces water absorption. Additionally, alcohol can interfere with nutrient absorption, particularly carbohydrates, fats, and sugars, potentially causing an imbalance in the digestive system resulting in diarrhoea. Diarrhoea then expels more nutrients before they can be absorbed leading to deficiencies.
Like coffee, alcohol also acts as a diuretic which can dry up the stools leading to alternative bouts of constipation and diarrhoea.
What causes a sulphur smell in diarrhoea?
Foods that contain a lot of sulphates such as eggs, meat and cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower, can make the stools have a sulphur (rotten egg) smell.
This is usually harmless, but if the symptom continues, a doctor should be seen. Some people with sulphur-smelling diarrhoea may have a giardiasis infection (beaver fever). caused by the parasite Giardia duodenalis also known as Giardia lamblia.
Giardiasis is a common waterborne infection, found in lakes etc. and people can also get infected through contaminated food or by close contact with infected individuals or animals. Symptoms include diarrhoea stomach cramps, bloating, and nausea. For natural remedies see Giardia lamblia.
Which bacterial infections can cause constipation or diarrhoea?
Diarrhoea can be caused by the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria
Natural antibiotic remedies for a listeria infection:
- Allspice (Pimenta dioica)
- Blueberry leaf (Cyanococcus)
- Garlic(Allium sativa
- Mustard (Brassica juncea)
- Oregano(Origanum compactum)
- Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
- Tarragon (Artemisia dranunculus)
Constipation and diarrhoea can be caused by the Paratyphoid bacillus (typhoid) bacteria.
Natural antibiotic remedy for typhoid:
- Zhi mu (Anemarrhena asphodeloides)
Dysentery can be caused by the Bacillus dysenteriae shiga bacteria.
Natural antibiotic remedies for Bacillus dysenteriae shiga infection:
- Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
- Zhi mu (Anemarrhena asphodeloides)
Dysentery can be caused by the Shigella dysenteriae (dysentery)
Natural antibiotic remedies for a Shigella dysenteriae infection:
- Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum, Eugenia caryophyllata)
- Fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare)
- Garlic(Allium sativa)
- Green tea (Camellia sinensis)
- Hops (Humulus lupulus)
- Hu huang lian (Coptis chinensis)
- Juniper berries (Juniperus communis)
- Mucura (Petiveria alliacea)
- Pau d’arco (Tabebuia serratifolia, Tabebuia impetiginos)
- Radishes (Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. Sativus)
- Tarragon (Artemisia dranunculus)
Diarrhoea can be caused by the Shigella sonei bacteria
Natural antibiotic remedies for a Shigella sonei infection
- Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum, Eugenia caryophyllata)
- Fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare)
- Green tea (Camellia sinensis)
- Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
- Mucura (Petiveria alliacea)
- Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
- Tarragon (Artemisia dranunculus)
Bacillary dysentery and severe diarrhoea can be caused by the Shigella flexneri bacteria
Natural antibiotic remedies Shigella flexneri infection:
- Fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare)
- Green tea (Camellia sinensis)
- Hops (Humulus lupulus)
- Hu huang lian (Coptis chinensis)
- Mucura (Petiveria alliacea)
- Pau d’arco (Tabebuia serratifolia, Tabebuia impetiginos)
- Tarragon (Artemisia dranunculus)
Severe diarrhoea can be caused by the Vibrio cholerae (cholera) bacteria.
Natural antibiotic remedies for a Vibrio cholerae (cholera) infection:
- Apples (Malus domestica),
- Blue flag (Iris versicolor)
- Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum, Eugenia caryophyllata)
- Curry leaves (Murraya koenigii)
- Green tea (Camellia sinensis)
- Limes (Citrus aurantifolia)
- Liquorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Salmonellosis, diarrhoea, typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever can be caused by the Salmonella bacteria.
Natural antibiotic remedies for a Salmonella infection:
- Allspice (Pimenta dioica),
- Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis)
- Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
- Blueberry (Cyanococcus)
- Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita)
- Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
- Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
- Cumin (Cuminum cyminum)
- Curry leaves (Murraya koenigii)
- Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
- Garlic(Allium sativa)
- Oregano(Origanum compactum)
- Grapefruit seed extract (Citrus paradise)
- Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
- Honeysuckle (Lonicera pericylmenum, Lonicera japonica)
- Hu huang lian (Coptis chinensis)
- Liquorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
- Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
- Mustard (Brassica juncea)
- Olive leaf (Olea europaea)
- Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
- Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
- Perilla leaves (Perilla frutescens)
- Pink cedar (Tabebuia heterophylla)
- Radishes (Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. Sativus)
- Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum)
- Spearmint (Mentha spicata)
Straining when constipated can cause anal fissures, haemorrhoids and varicose veins and in rare cases has been known to cause strokes therefore it is important to resolve constipation as soon as possible.
What are natural remedies for both constipation and diarrhoea?
What are the natural remedies for constipation?
- Grapes
- Gooseberries
- Hemp seeds
- Motherwort
- Parsnips
- Pears
- Plums
- Potatoes
- Prunes
- Raisins
- Rhubarb
- Senna
- Spinach
- Watercress
Apple cider vinegar contains pectin, a water-soluble fibre that promotes bowel movements. This makes it a great natural treatment for constipation. Add one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm water and drink it on an empty stomach first thing in the morning.
Add apple, grape and/or lemon juice to the above mix to make it more palatable and for additional benefits. A teaspoon of pure unblended honey will also help and contains antibiotic enzymes.
NOTE: Never use a metal teaspoon for honey as it kills the enzymes. Always use a wooden dipper or plastic spoon instead.
Raw juice therapy can successfully treat constipation. Always choose organic fruit and vegetables where possible. Include the skins where possible too.
What are the best natural foods to blend for constipation?
- Apple
- Beetroot
- Carrot
- Grapes
- Lemons
- Pears
- Spinach
- Watercress
What are the natural remedies for diarrhoea?
- Green tea
- Honey
- Mango
- Maqui berry
- Marshmallow
- Papaya
- Pomegranate juice
- Reed mace flowers
- Tea (especially green)
- Toast (dry brown wholegrain)
- Water lily
- Yoghurt (plain with live cultures)
Some people find quick relief from diarrhoea by trying the ‘BRAT’ method. This consists of bananas, rice (white), applesauce, and toast. These foods are easy to digest, low in fibre, and can help to firm up stools and ease digestive discomfort. However, this is only a quick remedy and should be replaced with proper nutritious food rich in fibre as soon as the diarrhoea has subsided.
Coconut water and pineapple are best to drink to rehydrate and replace the fluids lost due to diarrhoea.
It is important to replace the minerals and water-soluble vitamins that are lost during bouts of diarrhoea. For the highest natural sources of these nutrients See:
- Minerals
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
- Vitamin B3 (niacin)
- Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
- Vitamin B7 (biotin)
- Vitamin B9 (folate)
- Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
- Vitamin C
If diarrhoea is due to an infection, consuming probiotic foods can help to rectify the balance of bacteria in the intestines which can clear up infections and create normal stools.
What are probiotic foods?
- Blue cheese (unpasteurised)
- Brine pickles
- Brine sauerkraut
- Miso
- Kefir
- Kimchi
- Kombucha
- Yoghurt (organic with live cultures)
Fibre is essential to help to normalise stools and make it easier to pass them. Psyllium husks, whole grains, vegetables and fruit are particularly useful for this.
Passion fruit contains components which have the ability to relax the nerves and relieve constipation, colitis and diarrhoea.
Raw juice therapy can successfully treat diarrhoea. The best organic natural foods to blend are:
Diarrhoea can also be caused by parasites and infections by microbes such as listeria or salmonella consumed with contaminated foods. Seafood, rare meat, raw eggs and fish, and reheated rice are the most common carriers of pathogenic microbes.
For natural remedies see:
Related subjects
- A-Z of ailments
- Anal fissures
- Anti-microbial healing plants and foods
- Bacterial infections and natural antibiotics
- Excretory system disorders
- Feed your friendly bacteria
- Flatulence
- Haemorrhoids
- Intestinal system disorders
- Parasites
- Strokes
- Varicose veins