So many people today seek natural solution for getting rid of dark spots, black spots on skin and black spots on face; perhaps you are also looking for a home remedy for skin whitening in 3 days, well, you are not far from it. You don’t need to search the internet again, as this article provides you the information you need on how to whiten your skin. 

Skin whitening is very popular, and so many people seek to know how to whiten their skin overnight, especially among women, and it is not restricted to one part of the world – it cuts across all the continents and nations of the world. 

What is Skin Whitening or Lightening?

Skin whitening is using physical treatment, mixtures or substances to lighten the skin. How does it work? These substances or mixtures work by reducing the melanin in the body. This process aims to lighten the dark spots or darkened part of the skin.(1)

Some of these skin whitening agents are helpful when it comes to their side effects, which include nutrients, anti-oxidants and reduction in the risk of skin cancer, while some skin whitening agents are harmful to the health.(2)

People tend to lighten part of their skin or the whole skin for different reasons – some wants to lighten a dark spot on their skin, some patches, some are using it to erase the dark spot in the body, some tend to use it to erase birthmarks, while some want to use it on the whole body to look more beautiful. 

People often go to drug stores and beauty stores to purchase whitening or bleaching agents such as lotion, facial wash, soap, and cream to lighten their complexion. However, so many people have faced various disappointments such as ineffective substances and negative side effects from some products. 

These disappointments have led many to search for other means of improving their complexions, such as the natural and home remedy of lightening the skin. 

Here, we have some home remedies that will help improve the complexion of the skin in the most natural way, while you don’t have to worry about harsh side effects. 

Without keeping you wait for long, let us delve into how you can get rid of these dark patches. 

Dark Patches on Skin: The 10 Effective Remedies

Orange

One fruit that has whitening properties as well as nutrients for the skin is orange. Orange is very rich in Vitamin C and has some properties that can also lighten the skin. Eating orange on regular basis improves the health and texture of the skin. 

For skin lightening and erasing black spots on face, there are two methods you can employ(3): 

Method 1

• Cut a fresh orange into two
• Squeeze and extract two tablespoons of the orange juice
• Mix the two table spoons with one pinch of turmeric powder
• Apply on the skin or dark spots
• Leave for 30 minutes, then gently rinse off
• Repeat the above steps daily

Method 2

• Extract the back of orange (orange peel)
• Dry it under sunlight
• Squeeze the dried peels until it turns into powder
• Mix with a tablespoon of plain yoghurt
• Apply on skin
• Leave for 20 minutes, then gently wash off
• Repeat above steps three times in a week 

Licorice Root Extracts

Licorice root extract is regarded by experts as one of the most effective natural ways of lightening the skin.(4) Regarded as an ayurvedic remedy which cures many health conditions, dark spots as well as scars. 

The licorice root extract has glabridin which prevents enzymes that causes skin blackness from functioning; this compound (glabridin) also absorbs UVA and UVB rays from the skin.
 
Finally, the glabridin minimizes the production of melanin in the body and balances the skin lightening. 
 
Here are the two methods used in treating dark spots with licorice root extracts:
 
Method 1

• Use cotton wool to apply licorice extract to dark spots or the skin generally (preferably at night)
• Leave overnight
• Rinse with water or bath with warm water
• Apply moisturizer on skin
• Repeat this process 3 to 5 times in a week.

Method 2

• Get 5 drops of licorice extract
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of tomato juice, moderate quantity of cucumber and 1 tablespoon of sandalwood paste
• Make a paste of all the ingredients by blending them together
• Apply on skin or dark spots
• Leave for 30 minutes
• Wash off completely with warm water
• Apply moisturizer on skin
• Repeat above steps 2 to 3 times weekly

Lemon Juice Solution

Lemon juice has acidic components that are capable of bleaching the skin lightly and also exfoliates the top layer of skin cells. No wonder this method has been used for thousands of years for skin lightening.(5)

It should however be noted that using 100 percent lemon juice on the skin can cause skin irritation – so you should avoid that. I’m sure you are asking what you should do. Simple – dilute with water.
 

• Mix one part of the lemon juice with one part of water
• Employ the use of cotton ball in spreading the mixture on your skin
• Leave it there for 15 minutes
• Wash off with warm water
• Apply moisturizer after washing it off
• Apply 2 to 3 times only in a week

You will start getting results within few weeks as it doesn’t provide overnight result, however, it is the most effective natural way to whiten your skin. 

Banana with Almond Oil

Do you know banana aid skin complexion, suppleness and collagen production? Yes, it does. The Vitamins B6 and C in banana allows it to help your complexion and skin suppleness as well as collagen production. 

Almond oil on the other hand boasts of Vitamins A, D and E – they are antioxidants that protect the skin as well as keeping it healthy. Almond oil can also help the skin fight against allergies and infections due to its anti-inflammatory compounds. Finally, it aids blood circulation in the body and skin and protects the skin from harmful UV rays.
 
Here is how to apply banana and almond on the skin:
 

• Get 1 ripe banana and 1 tablespoon of almond oil 
• Blend the banana to produce a smooth paste 
• Mix the banana paste with the almond oil 
• Apply on skin 
• Leave it on skin for 20 minutes 
• Wash off with warm water 
• Repeat steps 3 to 5 times in a week

Milk with Strawberry

Milk is rich in enzymes that are capable of making the skin lighter,(6) and it also moisturizes the skin. Strawberries on the other hand are very potent in eradicating pimples, acne, scars or other blemishes on the skin. They are also capable of minimizing the damages caused by UV rays. 

Here is how to effectively use milk and strawberry to whiten the skin:
 

• Get 1 tablespoon of milk with 2 ripe strawberries
• Mash the strawberries to produce smooth paste
• Mix the mashed strawberries with 1 tablespoon of raw milk
• Apply the mixture on skin
• Leave it there for 20 minutes
• Wash off with warm water
• Do this twice or thrice in a week

Lemon with Milk Soak

In the previous part of this article, I’ve already told you how lemon and milk (separately) can help you skin. Combining the two however is one very effective method. How do you go about it? 

• Get warm water (should be enough for you to soak yourself into)
• Pour a cup of full fat milk in the warm water
• Squeeze the juice of the whole of a lemon into warm water
• Mix these two together
• Soak yourself in the bathe for 20 minutes
• Rinse yourself in a clean water
• Do this once a week

Minimize Skin Exposure to Sunlight

By now, you should know that sun damages skin cells, and it also darkens your skin. You should avoid staying under sunlight. Impossible! Yes – it is nearly impossible, however, you can limit your time under the sun. Even if it is necessary you have to go outdoors when the sun is at its peak, consider foing the following: 

• Wear sun-protective clothes – long pants (trousers) and long sleeved shirts will do
• Wear baseball cap and wide-brimmed hat
• Use sunscreen each time you go outdoors, you should also repeat it from time to time. Sunscreen with high SPF (30 SPF or higher) is the best to protect your skin from sun rays. 

Skin Exfoliation

In order to brighten the complexion of your skin, you should exfoliate it regularly. It is dead skin cells that come together on skin surface to make it look dull – consider exfoliating your skin with natural agents. 

Use oatmeal or almonds with a gentle facial scrub to exfoliate your skin
Use body scrub with sugar or salt – wet your skin, then use the scrub in circular but gentle way over your body. 

Pumpkin Mask with Milk and Honey

Do you know that pumpkin is very rich for exfoliating? Do you also know that pumpkin is rich in antioxidants? Pumpkin is your perfect natural solution for this. It helps brighten the skin complexion and also help in getting rid of dead cells. 

• Get 2 tablespoons of pumpkin puree, ½ tablespoon of milk as well as ½ tablespoon of honey
• Mix these three thoroughly to get a paste
• Apply the paste and leave for 20 minutes
• Rinse off with warm water
• Do this twice or thrice in a week

Pineapple and Papaya (Pawpaw or Papaw)

Pineapple is one more agent for getting rid of dark spots; it also helps in softening and cleaning the skin, giving the skin a glowing look. Its alpha-hydroxyl acids help with agelessness. 

Papaya (pawpaw or papaw) on the other hand heal wounds on skin and also clears spots and dark circles. By consuming or applying papaya juice, the wrinkles on the skin can be decreased; and it also contains antioxidants. The papain compound in papaya is a strong bleaching agent that helps  in removing dark patches, and whitens the skin. 

• Get 150 grams of peeled pineapple and 150 grams of peeled pawpaw
• Blend the two together to form a mixed paste
• Pour in a bowl and add 1 tablespoon of honey. Mix thoroughly
• Apply the paste on the skin with gentle rubs
• Leave for 15 minutes
• Wash off with cold water
• Do this 2 times in a week

More Tips on How to Whiten Your Skin in 3 Days

• Wear sunblock
• Mixture of water and baking soda
• Drink lot of water
• Apply tomato puree and leave for 15 to 20 minutes before washing off

Conclusion
With the above home remedy for whitening skin, if followed strictly, you are definitely on your way to brightening the complexion of your skin. The homemade skin whitening method that we have discussed here may help you whiten your skin overnight. 

Always have it in mind that all skin colors or tones are perfectly okay and beautiful. 

Let me hear your comments on this natural and home treatment for dark spots on skin. 

If you’ve learnt one or more things in this post, then, kindly share with others.

 

Images from Pixabay.com

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References and Resources

1. Wikipedia, “Skin Whitening” 
2. Heun Joo Lee, et. al., 2015, “Hesperidin, A Popular Antioxidant Inhibits Melanogenesis via Erk1/2 Medicated MITF Degradation” 
3. Pulse, “10 Home Remedies to Lighten Your Skin Naturally Right Now” 
4. Effective Home Remedies, “How to Whiten Skin Fast” 
5. WikiHow, “How to Naturally Whiten Skin at Home”
6. WikiHow, “How to Naturally Whiten Skin at Home”

Disclaimer
This article is only a general information and discussion about the topic. Information and other content gotten herein should not be taken as medical advice, and the information and discussion should not be substituted for professional and medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor and other qualified health professionals regarding your health and medical conditions.

This article discusses how to treat sunburn naturally as well as home remedy and treatment of sunburn and blistered sunburn.

What is Sunburn?

By now, I assume you know what Sunburn is, well if you don’t, let’s start from there. You must probably have seen someone staying outside working or trying to get a tan, and at the end of the day their skin are all red, looking kind of burned all over. Now I assume you’ve gotten the picture of what sunburn looks like.

It is known as a radiation burn which affects the human living tissue (for example, the skin). Over exposure to what we know as UV (Ultraviolet) radiation which is mostly from the sun is the major cause of sunburn. In other words, sunburn happens as a result of the skin’s response to inflammation caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays. I believe by now, you’re getting a clearer picture of what sunburn means. Let’s move on.(1)

The response of the skin to this extreme UV damage is the cause of sunburn, and change of skin color as well as tan is nothing but a result of contact with sun UV rays. UV damage to the skin can be caused by any form of sunburn, and does not necessarily mean it is caused by severe sunburn. And if not treated properly and avoided, sunburn can further lead to skin cancer, which today is confirmed as the most common form of cancer in the world.(2)

Symptoms of Sunburn

Sunburn has some symptoms that shows the kind of ailment you’ve got. The signs and symptoms of sunburn include the following:

·         Headache, fever, nausea and fatigue (for severe sunburn)
·         Itching (Pruitus)
·         Pinkness or redness of skin
·         Skin feels warm or hot to touch
·         Small fluid-filled blisters
·         Chills
·         Fainting (Syncope)
·         Swelling (Edema)
·         Peeling Skin
·         Tenderness and Pain

Commonly, sunburn kick starts with erythema(3) (an initial redness of skin), this is then followed by different degrees of pain, mostly influenced by the duration of time under sunlight as well as the concentration of exposure to sunlight.

There are disparities in the symptoms of sunburn – minor sunburn on average causes skin tenderness and redness in areas that are affected, while severe sunburn can lead to blisters, which may further require hospital care.

When exposed to direct sunlight, sunburn can occur within 15 – 20 minutes and can also occur within seconds of exposure to a non-shielded welding arc or some other strong sources of ultraviolet light, with the harms showing around 30 minutes to few hours, and sometimes, it takes 2 to 6 hours before it becomes so obvious. The pain is at its peak around 6 to 48 hours after exposure to UV rays.

 Causes of Sunburn

Sunburn is primarily caused by sun’s UV rays, burning through the skin. Here, we are going to list and discuss briefly the causes of sunburn. The causes of sunburn include the following:

·         UV Radiation

·         UV Intensity

·         Age

·         Tanning

·         Gene

·         Ozone Depletion

UV Radiation

This is the primary cause of sunburn and it is caused by the sun or some artificial sources (such as welding arcs, germicidal irradiation, tanning lamps etc.). The UVB light causes a direct damage to the DNA.

Your skin type determines how easy the sun can penetrate the body. By and large, light skinned people have higher risk of sunburn than others.

The Fitzpatrick’s Skin phototypes is the best narrative for skin phototypes. The Fitzpatrick’s skin phototypes are(4):

·         Type I: Pale white skin – does not tan and burns easily

·         Type II: White skin – tans with difficulty and burns easily

·         Type III: White skin – tans easily but may burn

·         Type IV: Light brown/olive skin – tans easily and hardly burns

·         Type V: Brown skin – tans easily and usually does not burn

·         Type VI: Black skin – becomes darker with UV radiation and very unlikely to burn

UV Intensity

The location and given time determines to a great extent the impact of sun UV rays on the skin. The factors include the following:

·         The time of the day

·         Altitude

·         Latitude (proximity to equator

·         Cloud cover

·         Season of the year

·         Proximity to reflective surface (such as water, ice, sand, snow, concrete, mirror, glass etc.)

Age

One’s age is also a factor to be considered when talking about the causes and effects of sunburn on the skin. According to research, adults older than sixty as well as children younger than six are more affected by sunburn than other age.5

Tanning

So many people in the Western world today love having a tanned body, which has given a immense rise to exposure to UV radiation from direct sunlight. It doesn’t stop there; some even go as far as using tanning lamps. Many health institutions (such as World Health Organization) have recommended against having a natural suntan as well as artificial suntans.(6)

Gene

One genetic condition that raises one’s vulnerability to sunburn, which can also cause skin cancer, is Xeroderma pigmentosum. Inadequacies in the DNA repair mechanism causes this genetic condition, as this mechanism lacks the power to repair the DNA that has been damaged by UV radiation.

Ozone Depletion

The harshness of sunlight in the last and present decade is no doubt different from what it used to be, largely due to damage of the atmosphere’s ozone layer by 4%, which has in turn raised sunburn in some areas by 4%.

Home Remedies for Sunburn

Sunburn like many other health conditions can be treated at home and healed without having necessarily seeing a health practitioner. With some tips on how to treat yourself, you can overcome sunburn, and this home treatment of sunburn includes the following:

Taking Cool bath or showers regularly

As we know, sunburn causes a whole lot of pains; hence we need a relief that takes away the pain. It is very important you take baths or shower from time to time as this cools off the body temperature.

Warm oatmeal bath

Another home remedy for sunburn or sunburn or blistered sunburn is soaking in a warm oatmeal bath for around 20 to 30 minutes.(7) Believe me, this works magic. How does it work? The war oatmeal bath for sunburn relieves the inflammation and also boosts your recovery. Pour 1 cup (90g) of colloidal oatmeal into a warm bath.

Moisturizers

Moisturizer is another perfect home solution that can be used on the skin after the redness must have subsided or the open blisters must have gone. The moisturizer over the course of time prevents the skin from peeling; it as well prevents it from any form of irritation.

Ice

Never doubt the power of ice – it is capable of reliving the pain and stopping further damage. How do you apply this? Take an ice pack or any frozen item and wrap in a soft wash cloth or towel; and use it for the application. Don’t ever place the ice directly on the skin as this can lead to other damages such as frostbite.(8)

Hydration

Drink extra water, as this keeps your body hydrated. Taking more water will help reduce the pain caused by sunburn as water keeps your body cool against hotness and itchiness caused by sunburn.

Aloe Vera

Undoubtedly, this is one of the most efficient natural treatments of sunburn. The gel inside the aloe vera’s cactus helps speed up healing, eases discomforts and moisturizes the skin. You can apply the sap directly on the skin or get an aloe vera gel at any local drug store. Do you know that ALOE VERA heals burns 9 days faster?

Applying a tea-soaked Cloth

Boil water and dip 5 to 7 bags of green tea or black tea in that boiling water for 1- to 15 minutes. Remove the tea bags and allow the tea to cool off, after which you can soak a clean towel in the tea. Remove it and wring out a little. Then place the towel on the sunburn for around 30 minutes. Preserve the tea, as you will repeat dipping the towel and reapplying for the rest of the day. Do you know that TEA has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that can heal sunburn?(9)

Coconut Oil

You can apply coconut oil on skin after 1 to 2 days after the sunburn has healed. The oil from the coconut prevents the skin from drying, which relieves itchiness and swelling of skin caused by inflammation. Sunburn is capable of causing premature ageing of skin, the coconut oil however; help reduce wrinkling of the skin.(10)

Honey

The use of honey for treatment of sunburn or damaged skin is not new; this has been an ancient practice. Honey works well at accelerating healing, minimizing pain and reducing infection than most antibiotic creams we know. Do you know that HONEY has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties?

Do not pop blisters

For sunburn that transformed into blisters, always keep in mind that they will pop on their own. Don’t try to pop them yourself as this increases the chance of infection as well as the risk of damage on the skin’s lower and flexible layers.

How to Prevent Sunburn

·         Avoid sun exposure

·         Try as much as possible to stay under shade

·         Wear suitable clothes under sunlight

·         Protect head and eyes with accessories

·         Avoid base tan

·         Use a sunscreen when going outdoors

·         Use a full-spectrum sunscreen

·         Select a sunscreen with appropriate SPF

·         Ensure you take not of your sunscreen expiration date

·         Apply and reapply sunscreen regularly, generously  and adequately

Tips on Sunburn Prevention

·         Avoid Reading on phone while under sunlight

·         Avoid alcoholic beverages

·         Avoid skin exfoliation

·         The sun is usually at its peak between 10 am and 4 pm



Images from: pixabay.com


Sources and References

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1. Wikipedia, “Sunburn”
2. Bioelements, “Skin Sunburn”
3. American Academy of Dermatology, “Treating Sunburn”
4. Wikipedia, “Sunburn”
5. Wikipedia, “Sunburn”
6. NCBI
7. Wikihow, “How to Treat Sunburn with Natural Remedies”
8. Parents, “10 Natural Remedies for Sunburns”
9. Wikihow, “How to Treat Sunburn with Natural Remedies”
10. NDTV Food, “4 Most Effective Home Remedies for Sunburn”

Disclaimer

This article is only a general information and discussion about the topic. Information and other content gotten herein should not be taken as medical advice, and the information and discussion should not be substituted for professional and medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor and other qualified health professionals regarding your health and medical conditions.

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This article extensively discusses home remedy for diarrhea – it looks at the home treatment that can be given to diarrhea; before then however, it discusses upset stomach to some extent, giving you some insights on the topic, such as what diarrhea means, the symptoms, the causes, preservation, tips and when to see a doctor.

What is Diarrhea?

Diarrhea is said to be an increase in the number of times we pass loose, soft and watery stools from the body; it might sometimes be accompanied by abdominal bloating, pressure and cramps.

It should be noted however that diarrhea is quite different from some other health conditions, although they are closely related and the conditions often go with diarrhea. Notwithstanding, they are different from diarrhea because their cause and treatments are not the same.

The conditions include:(1)

Incontinence of Stool

Inability to control bowel movements until an appropriate time

Rectal Urgency

A sudden urge to have a strong bowel movement

Incomplete Evacuation

Having a sensation of having another bowel movement not too long after a bowel movement

Bowel movement not too long after a meal

It is reported that there are approximately 179 million cases of acute diarrhea every year in the United States.(2) Within few days, diarrhea will clear up on its own; severe diarrhea however can last for weeks which may require medical attention.

Symptoms of Diarrhea

Diarrhea is one medical condition that has many recognizable symptoms, the major one among these symptoms is watery and loose stool which may occur three or more times in a day. Other symptoms of diarrhea may include the following:

• Nausea

• Abdominal pain or cramp

• Inability to control bowel movements

• Urgent need to use the bathroom

• Dehydration (which may also lead to thirst, dark-colored urine, lesser frequency in urinating, sunken eyes, sunken cheeks, dry mouth, fainting or light headaches, tiredness etc.)

• When diarrhea occurs as a result of infection, your may also notice more symptoms, such as:

• Fever and chills

• Dizziness

• Bloody stools

• Vomiting

Causes of Diarrhea

There are number of factors and conditions that can cause diarrhea and they include:

Parasitic and Bacterial Infections

This can contaminate food and water and transmit bacteria into the body. such parasites that can cause diarrhea include Giardia lamblia, Cryptospordium enteretis, Entamoeba histolytica etc. Common bacterial causes of diarrhea include salmonella, shigella, campylobacter and Escherichia coli.

Traveler’s Diarrhea

The cause of this type of diarrhea is drinking water and eating foods that are contaminated with viruses, bacteria and parasites while traveling to another place (especially another country).

Medications’ Side Effects

Some medications such as antibiotics can cause diarrhea. The antibiotics when taken destroy both good and bad bacteria which can disturb the balance of the intestine.

Food allergies

Allergy to some kinds of food can cause diarrhea; some of these foods include eggs, soy, seafood, dairy etc.

Lactose Intolerance

This is another common cause of diarrhea. This is a compound found in sugar, milk and other dairy products.
 

Intestinal Diseases or Disorders

Some intestine disorders and diseases can cause diarrhea, such as, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease, microscopic colitis, diverticulitis, mal-absorption and celiac disease. 

Alcohol Abuse

This can also cause diarrhea; strong alcoholic drinks may cause loose stools.

Others include:

Laxative abuse

Running over 15kms

Digestive surgery

Diabetic diarrhea

Some types of cancer

Radiation therapy

Home remedies for diarrhea

Let’s take a look at our exclusive lists of home treatments that can be given to diarrhea.

Water and Healthy Fluids

Dehydration is the most negative thing about diarrhea, as the body loses water due to constant stooling as well as vomiting. It is therefore necessary to get these fluids back to the body – and this can only be done drinking enough healthy liquids such as water and sports drink.

Taking water or other healthy liquids(3) should be done frequently with small sips, and should not be taken once in large quantity. It is recommended that adult males consume minimum of 13 cups or 3 liters of water every day, while adult females consume minimum of 9 cups or 2.2 liters of water each day.

Other healthy liquids that can be used to combat dehydration include herbal and non-caffeinated teas, sports drinks, vegetable juices, salty broth, flavored mineral waters, and rehydration solutions among others.

Avoid Exercise

Perhaps, you don’t know that heavy work outs can dehydrate you more. Of course, you can go on with your daily tasks; however, it is important you don’t shed lot of calories.

It is also important you don’t run during this period, in order to avoid “runner’s diarrhea” – this occurs to people who run long distances.

Eat Soothing, Small Amounts and Eating to Digest Foods

The food you eat when you have diarrhea is one of those factors that determines how long you are on your way to recovery. Hence, during this period, you should be wary of the foods you take. Below are tips that will help your eating habit when you have diarrhea:

Eat small amounts

You would not want to over-work or stress your digestive system during this period. So, you should eat small amount of foods spread over the day. Moreover, you will likely have little appetite(4) for food during this period. 

Soothing Foods

The food you should take while having diarrhea should be simple and soothing. In other words, they should be foods that digest easily – the foods to consider should be those that won’t give much work to the digestive system and provide low fiber which will help minimize stooling. Foods such as rice, apples, bananas, whole grains will help a great deal.

BRAT Diet

After you must have stopped vomiting (sometimes, vomiting might not be part of your symptoms), then you should consider the BRAT diet.(5) You will probably be asking by now what BRAT diet means – BRAT is an acronym for BANANAS, RICE, APPLESAUCE AND TOAST; these foods are low-fiber foods that help increase your stools’ firmness, and they don’t upset the stomach.

Ginger

Ginger is another natural food that helps fight nausea, indigestion, inflammation and upset stomach. Ginger is one food that come in different forms, and they can help ease bowel inflammation.

The shogoals and gingerols components of ginger help speed up stomach contractions,(6) hence, helping more undigested food through the body in a quick way.

Try adding ginger to your food or drink or tea to help you with an upset stomach. You can make ginger tea yourself by following the steps below(7):

Boil fresh ginger (12 slices) with 3 cups of water
Simmer for 20 minutes
Add little quantity of honey to the tea
Stir together and drink

NOTE:

• Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers can take ginger
• Pregnant women must not take more than 1 gram of ginger in a day
• Children under 2 years of age should not be given ginger
• Children over 2 years of age may use small amount of ginger to treat diarrhea or upset stomach.

Avoid Drinking Alcohol and Smoking

Alcohol has toxic compounds that make digestion difficult, which can further damage stomach lining and the liver. It is very essential that people with diarrhea should do away with alcoholic drinks and beverage until they get better.

Another factor that can increase the possibility of an upset stomach is smoking as it is capable of irritating the throat. So, smoking like alcohol should be avoided until you get well.(8)

Herbal Teas

Some herbal teas are very effective for treating nausea which often comes with diarrhea. Chamomile, peppermint, fenugreek and green tea are the most potent for treating diarrhea.

Chamomile tea can be taken by both children and adult9 so far they are not allergic to ragweed.

Mint

Another home remedy for diarrhea is mint. The menthol in mint may help prevent(10) vomiting and diarrhea; reduce muscle spasms in the intestines as well as capability to relive pain.

Mint, according to recent studies is a traditional remedy for diarrhea, gas and indigestion in India, Pakistan and Iran. They (mints) are boiled to make tea with cardamom. The can also be converted to juice of powder and mixed with foods, drinks or beverages.

Fiber

Fiber is another natural remedy for diarrhea in children and adults as fiber helps slow down diarrhea, it also help absorb water and make stool firm instead of watery. The recommended grams of fiber for women are 25 grams per day, while the recommended grams for men are 38 grams.11

Some foods that contain insoluble fiber include barley, rice and whole grains. Others include mashed potatoes, boiled potatoes, bananas, cooked carrots and mashed carrots.

Avoid eating Foods that Worsen Symptoms

While you have diarrhea, there are some foods to be eaten, and there are some certain foods to avoid. Such foods to avoid include greasy foods, spicy foods and sweet foods. Also, you should avoid some dairy products like milk. Caffeinated foods should also be avoided, as they have dehydrating power.

When to See a Doctor when you have Diarrhea

If all the above natural and home remedies for diarrhea did not work or improve your condition after 72 (seventy-two) hours, you should see your doctor, he will determine what kind of drugs to prescribe for you.

Prevention of Diarrhea

Avoid contact with infectious agents
Avoid eating from street vendors
Eat properly cooked foods
Do not eat raw or uncooked meat or seafood
Always take clean water

Tips on Diarrhea

Always keep yourself hydrated
Stay at home until symptoms have resolved
Practice good hand washing (VERY IMPORTANT)
See your doctor if symptoms worsen.

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References and Resources

1. MedicineNet, “Diarrhea”
2. NJEM, "Diarrhea"
3. MayoClinic, “Nutrition and Healthy Eating” 
4. Dr. Axe, “How to Stop Diarrhea” 
5. WikiHow, “How to Cure Diarrhea”
6. Medical News Today, "Diarrhea"
7. WikiHow, “How to Make Home Remedies for Diarrhea” 
8. Medical News Today
9. WikiHow, “How to Cure Diarrhea” 
10. Medical News Today 
11. WikiHow, “How to Cure Diarrhea” 

Disclaimer
This article is only a general information and discussion about the topic. Information and other content gotten herein should not be taken as medical advice, and the information and discussion should not be substituted for professional and medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor and other qualified health professionals regarding your health and medical conditions.