Diarrhea

Persistent diarrhea calls for a visit to a health professional.

Agrimony Control bowel looseness with tea made from agrimony stem, leaves, or flowers, Agrimony is a table tea in France.

Barley Cooked barley or barley water is an excellent infant diarrhea aid.

Blackberry The bark or roots are quite astringent and can help against diarrhea. For tea, use 2 tablespoons in 3 cups of water and simmer it until the tea is reduced to 2 cups. The dose is 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time, up to four times a day or more if needed. Blackberry syrup or blackberry extract, available in many food departments or health food stores, may be used as a basis for tea.

Blueberry Combine a tablespoon of blueberry extract with 4 tablespoons of water, and drink the liquid every two hours to control diarrhea. Make this extract during the season by steeping blueberries or huckleberries in brandy for two weeks and straining out the berries.

Limeflowers (Linden) These flowers are sedative and antispasmodic. Use them as tea.

Nutmeg An 1/8 teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg is always acceptable with other herbal teas for aroma, and for its slight binding ability.

Peppermint Use peppermint tea to allay spasms, diarrhea, or digestive disturbance. For children's diarrhea, bruise a handful of fresh peppermint, add a tablespoon of water to create a paste, and apply it directly to the abdomen and navel area. This will help to control the diarrhea.

Rice Cooked rice is useful in controlling irritable diarrhea.

Yellow Pond Lily This may be useful while backpacking. Shave several 5 inch pieces of root and steep in cold water. Simmer this for five minutes. Steep the pieces again for several hours, then strain them. This preparation may also be used for sore throat gargles, vaginal douche, or skin inflammations.