Firstly, please note that this article is not fit for dinner conversation!
If you’ve ever had diarrhoea, you will understand why it’s important to get on top of it quickly to prevent dehydration and prolonged illness.
Diarrhoea is more often than not a symptom of disease, rather than a disease in itself. It is generally considered to be the loose or liquid movement of the bowels more than three times within one day.
Sometimes it is caused by a rigid, stressed out digestive system, but more often it is caused by bacterial, viral and fungal infections. In some patients, it can be caused by food or drink intolerance or cancerous formations, so it’s imperative to see a medical doctor if your diarrhoea doesn’t clear up within a week.
Diarrhoea, regardless of how it is caused, is no fun for the patient for more than one reason. Firstly, it can cause great discomfort, bloating and pain. A higher concentration of gastric juices can come out in the faeces which can irritate the rectum which causes the trademark burning or ‘sandpapery’ feel on the backside when wiping.
It often causes the patient’s body to dehydrate at a higher than normal rate and can reduce the digestive tract’s ability to absorb important and essential nutrients. In the long-term in some countries, diarrhoea’s effects can cause death, however with specific treatment and appropriate temporary changes in food and drink behaviour, it can be completely resolved with little to no fuss.
If your diarrhoea has only just begun, I first recommend taking an apple and peeling it. Then grate the flesh and leave it on a plate in your kitchen for, say, 20 minutes. It will turn brown because the sugars and other compounds in the flesh oxidise. Then eat this oxidised flesh. It will still taste sweet, despite looking unappealing. There are a number of compounds in this oxidised apple flesh that will immediately begin to stabilise your stomach and bowel movements. Apple is also a great source of vitamin C, iron, folate, natural sugars and water. These are all things you need when suffering from acute or chronic diarrhoea. If your diarrhoea persists throughout the day, have at least 3 apples, let’s say one for each time you go to the toilet. You should see a marked improvement within a few hours maximum.
In 2009, Chaomomile tea was found to inhibit the growth of Campylobacter jejuni which is the commonest cause of bacterial diarrhoea in the world. Take 2-3 cups daily in between meals.
In small quantities, try to have bananas and rice, they’ll help bind your stools up a little, thus slowing down the digestive process.
I generally strongly recommend taking two standardised garlic oil tablets twice a day to help promote the disinfection of your digestive tract, but this should not be undertaken until you’ve consulted your medical provider. Garlic oil, even in low doses, can interact with some medicines, especially those of patients with heart or blood pressure conditions, however it is generally safe for the greater population.
Once you feel able to eat normally again, try to take some probiotics if you’re super keen to restore your digestive tract to its optimum state. Yoghurt is also a great idea, but I would wait a few days until your tummy fully recovers, because, as the old wives tales all say, dairy should generally be avoided while diarrhoea symptoms persist.
Don’t forget to wash your hands people! 
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