Best medicine for upset stomach and diarrhea
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Best Medicine for Upset Stomach and Diarrhea
Traditional Medicinal Plants for Diarrhea Treatment
Traditional medicinal plants have been widely used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, including diarrhea. In southern Africa, Newtonia hildebrandtii and Newtonia buchananii are notable for their antimicrobial properties against bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which are common causes of diarrhea. These plants also exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, making them potential candidates for treating diarrhea1. Similarly, Mexican traditional medicine utilizes plants like Geranium mexicanum and Rubus coriifolius, which contain flavonoids such as (-)-epicatechin, known for their antigiardial activity, surpassing even some conventional drugs6.
Herbal Medicines and Probiotics for IBS-D
For diarrhea-dominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), a combination of herbal medicine and probiotics has shown promising results. A study involving the herbal medicine Gwakhyangjeonggisan (GJS) and the probiotic Duolac7S (DUO) demonstrated significant improvements in IBS symptoms and increased beneficial intestinal bacteria3. This combination therapy appears to offer a synergistic effect, enhancing the overall relief of IBS symptoms.
Ginger for Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea
Ginger, a common spice and herbal remedy, has been found effective in treating antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). Research indicates that ginger can modulate gut microbiota and improve intestinal barrier function, thereby alleviating diarrhea symptoms. In a rat model, ginger extract significantly improved gut microbiota diversity and restored intestinal barrier integrity, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for AAD7.
Shenling Baizhu San for Ulcerative Colitis
Shenling Baizhu San (SLBZS), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, has been used to treat spleen asthenic diarrhea and other gastrointestinal dysfunctions. SLBZS has shown efficacy in regulating inflammatory factors and intestinal flora, making it a viable option for treating conditions like ulcerative colitis (UC) and diarrhea. Clinical studies have reported positive outcomes with minimal adverse reactions, although further research is needed to standardize dosing and validate its safety5.
Atractylodes Oil for IBS-D
Atractylodes lancea oil (AO) is another traditional herb used to treat diarrhea-predominant IBS. AO has been shown to regulate intestinal inflammation and improve intestinal barrier function through pathways such as SCF/c-kit and MLCK/MLC2. In a rat model, AO effectively reduced diarrhea symptoms, decreased inflammatory markers, and enhanced intestinal barrier proteins, suggesting its potential as a treatment for IBS-D8.
Conclusion
Various traditional and herbal medicines show promise in treating upset stomach and diarrhea. Newtonia species, Mexican traditional plants, and ginger have demonstrated significant antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. For IBS-D, combination therapies involving herbal medicines and probiotics, as well as specific formulations like Shenling Baizhu San and Atractylodes oil, offer effective relief. While these treatments are promising, further clinical trials are necessary to confirm their efficacy and safety for widespread use.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
The potential use of leaf extracts of two Newtonia (Fabaceae) species to treat diarrhoea
Leaf extracts of Newtonia hildebrandtii and N. buchananii show potential in treating diarrhoea due to their antimicrobial effects, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and acetylcholinesterase inhibition properties.
In Vitro StudyEvidence based traditional anti-diarrheal medicinal plants and their phytocompounds.
Traditional anti-diarrheal medicinal plants show high efficacy in in-vivo models, but more robust clinical trials are needed to develop novel, effective, and safe phyto-medicines for combating diarrhea and related gastrointestinal disorders.
Rigorous JournalEffect of Korean Herbal Medicine Combined with a Probiotic Mixture on Diarrhea-Dominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Combination therapy with herbal medicine and probiotics may relieve overall IBS symptoms by synergistically increasing beneficial intestinal microbe counts.
RCTRigorous JournalHerbal Medicines as adjuvants for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced diarrhea.
Herbal medicines show potential as adjuvant treatments for chemotherapy-induced diarrhea, but further well-designed clinical studies are needed to validate their efficacy, safety, and explore potential drug-herb interactions.
Systematic ReviewA review of pharmacological and clinical studies on the application of Shenling Baizhu San in treatment of Ulcerative colitis.
Shenling Baizhu San shows potential in treating ulcerative colitis, but more scientific research is needed to confirm its effectiveness and standardize clinical application.
Systematic ReviewIn vivo antigiardial activity of three flavonoids isolated of some medicinal plants used in Mexican traditional medicine for the treatment of diarrhea.
Three flavonoids isolated from Mexican medicinal plants show antigiardial activity, with (-)-epicatechin being the most active and kaempferol and tiliroside showing close potency to metronidazole and emetine.
Non-RCT
Animal Study
Highly CitedModulation of gut microbiota and intestinal barrier function during alleviation of antibiotic-associated diarrhea with Rhizoma Zingiber officinale (Ginger) extract.
Ginger extract effectively alleviates antibiotic-associated diarrhea symptoms and improves gut microbiota diversity and intestinal barrier function in rats.
Non-RCTAnimal StudyAtractylodes oil alleviates diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome by regulating intestinal inflammation and intestinal barrier via SCF/c-kit and MLCK/MLC2 pathways.
Atractylodes oil effectively reduces diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome in rats by regulating intestinal inflammation and the intestinal barrier through the SCF/c-kit and MLCK/MLC2 pathways.
Non-RCTAnimal StudyPharmacologic Agents for Chronic Diarrhea
Pharmacologic agents like loperamide, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, diosmectite, cholestyramine, and antispasmodics can effectively treat chronic diarrhea caused by various non-infectious causes.
Rigorous JournalCancer preventive properties of ginger: a brief review.
Ginger has cancer preventive properties due to the presence of certain pungent constituents, such as [6]-gingerol and [6]-paradol, which exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
Highly Cited