Diarrhea herbal medicine

Phyto chemicals can be used to either stimulate or inhibit motility of the GIT. For example, caffeine and other phytochemicals stimulate motility (Lis-Balchim etal, 2001 Boekema et al, 1999), whereas motility is slowed by peppermint oil (Beesley et al, 1996), protease inhibitors (Schwartz et al., 1994) and several other phytochemicals (Abdullahi et al, 2001 Odetola and Acojenu, 2000 Rojas et al, 1999 Amos et al, 1998). Many of the traditional herbal medicines used for treatment of diarrhea are based on aqueous extracts that slow small intestine transit and increase residence time for digesta (Lin et al, 2002). The opiates and derivatives are particularly noteworthy (Williams et al., 1997). 

Cinnamon is an ancient herbal medicine, long used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. It increases intestinal movement, heart rate, and perspiration by stimulating the vasomotor center. It improves circulation. The astringent tannins in cinnamon treat diarrhea the catechins treat nausea. Its essential oils are considered analgesic, antifungal, and germicidal. 

Despite the lack of conclusive evidence on their effectiveness, herbal drugs are widely believed to be useful in treating a variety of conditions, both common and unusual, and mild and serious. Common conditions for which people take herbal drugs include colds and flu, muscular aches and pains, acne, indigestion, constipation, coughs, corns, menstmal cramps, dandruff, diarrhea, fatigue, flatulence, frostbite, warts, hair loss, headaches, heartburn, insect bites, lice, motion sickness, nausea, insomnia, dizziness, and warts. (The PDR-HM lists 25 herbal medicines used to relieve flatulence.)... 

In a German hospital specializing in Chinese herbalism of 145 patients who had been treated within 1 year 53% reported having had at least one adverse effect attributable to Chinese herbal medicines (107). Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea were the most common complaints. It should be noted that causality in these cases can only be suspected and not proven. In the same institution about 1 % of 1507 consecutive patients treated with Chinese herbal mixtures had clinically relevant rises in liver enzymes (108,109). Glycyrrhiza radix and Atractylodis macro-cephalae rhizome were most consistently associated with such problems. In most of these cases there were no associated clinical signs and the abnormalities tended to normalize without specific therapy and in spite of continued treatment with the Chinese herbal mixtures. 

A 23-year-old Asian butcher developed diffuse abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, followed by constipation (4). He had a sinus tachycardia and generalized abdominal tenderness without peritonism. His serum bilirubin concentration and alanine transaminase activity were raised, but alkaline phosphatase activity, albumin concentration, and prothrombin time were normal. He had a blood lead concentration of 767 ng/ml and a raised zinc protoporphyrin concentration, diagnostic of lead poisoning. He had taken an herbal medicine, purchased in India, for vague aU-ments. He stopped taking it, and 3 months later was asymptomatic, with normal liver function tests and marked falls in blood lead (387 ng/ml) and zinc protoporphyrin. 

Herbal medicines or teas often contain senna, which may produce diarrhea. In patients with disease persistence following dietary modification, loperamide may be used for episodic management of urgent diarrhea, or in situations in which the patient wishes to avoid the possibility of an acute onset of symptoms. This drug decreases intestinal transit, enhances water and electrolyte absorption, and strengthens rectal sphincter tone. Some patients may require continuous therapy, and careful dosage titration can usually be undertaken to prevent the development of constipation. Cholestyramine may be useful in patients with diarrhea related to idiopathic bile acid malabsorption or following cholecystectomy. ... 

Singh MB (1994) Maternal beliefs and practices regarding the diet and use of herbal medicines during measles and diarrhea in rural areas. Indian Pediatr 31 340-343... 

The scientific name of Chinese chives is Allium tuberosum Rottl. (Liliaceae). It is known as Jiucai in China and Nira in Japan. It is a perennial plant and both the leaves and the inflorescences are edible. It has also been used as an herbal medicine for many diseases. According to the dictionary of Chinese medicines, the leaves have been used for the treatment of abdominal pain, diarrhea, hematemesis, snakebite and asthma while the seeds are used as a tonic and aphrodisiac. In the present study, 39 compounds were isolated and identified from the ethanol extract of the seeds of Allium tuberosum. Among them, 23 are new compounds and include spirostanol saponins, furostanol saponins, cholesterol saponins and alkaloids. Their structures were identified by a combination of ESIMS, ID, and 2D-NMR (COSY, TOCSY, ROSEY, HMQC, and HMBC). The antitumor activities of some of these compounds will be discussed. 

There is an evolving variety of alternative healthcare practices and products to choose from. (See Terminology sidebar.) Adults and adolescents alike are asking themselves questions such as, Should I take a pill for my headache, or drink chamomile herbal tea There are several scientific counterparts to this seemingly simple question, for example Are these both remedies Are they equally effective Is one healthier or less toxic than the other Can they be used together At this time, there is no comparative information on codeine versus alternative medicine (e.g., acupuncture) as effective treatments for pain, cough, and diarrhea. 

It is well known that the juice of the grape, or wine, serves as an antiseptic. It has a chemical kinship with phenol, which is alternately known as carbolic acid. Honey, in different ways, also serves as an antibiotic or disinfectant. And there is blackberry juice for diarrhea, cherry juice for gout, and more in the long list of native herbal remedies and folk medicines. 

Medicine is always an inspiration for developments in chemistry, and the pharmacopoeia of China is legendary. Some herbal and mineral remedies that were taken over by European medicine include iron (for anemia), castor oil, kaolin (a clay used to treat diarrhea) aconite... 

Black pepper is historically used also in traditional medicines and home remedies in India [3]. Black pepper figures in remedies in Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani medicine in India for such illnesses as constipation, diarrhea, earache, gangrene, heart disease, hernia, hoarseness, indigestion, insect bites, insomnia, joint pain, liver problems, lung disease, oral abscesses, sunburn, tooth decay, and toothaches. Black pepper was relied upon to treat specific conditions such as diarrhea and fevers, but it appears that the extensive, generalized use was to enhance the effects of many herbal remedies [3]. 

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