PART 3. THE REMEDIES
9
COMMON AILMENTS
DIARRHEA
You’re probably not reading this section for a definition of diarrhea, rather a remedy for the uncomfortable cramps, abdominal bloating, and severe sense of urgency that sends you running for the nearest restroom. Instead of settling for chalky solutions from the drugstore, try these herbal treatments instead. Take care of yourself by staying well hydrated while waiting for your symptoms to improve.
Raspberry Leaf–Prunella Infusion
YIELD: 1 CUP
STORAGE: NOT RECOMMENDED
TIME: 15 MINUTES
Need relief stat? Raspberry leaf, prunella, and slippery elm have got your back. They work fast to stave off cramps, dehydration, and frequent trips to the bathroom. Surprisingly, this treatment also happens to work for sore throats.
1 tablespoon dried raspberry leaf, crumbled
1 tablespoon dried prunella
2 teaspoons slippery elm powder
1¼ cups water
1.In a small saucepan, add the raspberry leaf, prunella, and slippery elm powder, and stir to blend. Add the water and bring to a boil.
2.Reduce the heat and simmer the herbs for 10 minutes.
3.Strain into a mug, using the back of a spoon to press the liquid from the herbs before discarding them.
4.Drink 1 cup of this infusion every 2 hours. You can drink up to 4 cups daily to stop diarrhea.
Comfrey–Mullein Tea
YIELD: 1 CUP
STORAGE: NOT RECOMMENDED
TIME: 15 MINUTES
This fab four not only stops diarrhea fast, but drinking them as a tea helps prevent dehydration, a frequent side effect. If sipping this tea in the late afternoon or evening, omit the caffeine-rich green tea (unless you want to pull an all-nighter).
1 teaspoon dried comfrey
1 teaspoon dried mullein leaf
1 teaspoon dried peppermint, crumbled
1 green tea bag
1¼ cups boiling water
Honey or stevia (optional)
1.Put the comfrey, mullein leaf, and peppermint in a tea ball or infuser. Place in a mug of boiling water with the green tea bag.
2.Steep the herbs for 15 minutes.
3.Add honey or stevia, if desired. Drink up to 4 times daily when recovering from diarrhea.
Carob Smoothie
YIELD: 1 SERVING
STORAGE: NOT RECOMMENDED
TIME: 5 MINUTES
Carob powder, a popular alternative to cocoa powder, is a nutritious herbal food source that has a wonderful chocolate taste. Blended into a smoothie with fiber-rich banana, nourishing yogurt with probiotics, and honey, it can help put an end to diarrhea. If preparing this drink for a child under 12 years of age, cut the amount of carob down to 2 teaspoons and leave the rest of the ingredients the same.
¼ cup water
¼ cup plain yogurt with live, active cultures
1½ tablespoons carob powder
1 tablespoon honey
1 ripe banana
1.In a blender, combine all the ingredients in the order shown.
2.Blend until smooth, adding a little more water to thin, if preferred. Serve immediately.
3.Drink this smoothie twice daily while suffering from diarrhea, preferably once in the morning and once in the afternoon, before dinner.