Who doesn’t know the wonderful smell and taste of peppermint tea? Do you drink it often?
It is very popular among people, especially in Morocco. Maybe you wonder if peppermint tea for diarrhea is effective or not. You will find the answer in this article.
Ancient Greek doctors used 2 types of mint for treatment purposes, but experts today believe that there was no such plant.
There is, however, evidence that it was used by the Egyptians, as dried peppermint leaves were discovered in many pyramids.
It was also mentioned in the Icelandic pharmacopeia from the 13th century. We still use it today for relaxation and when we have some health problems.
Peppermint tea benefits
Peppermint oil and tea have been used for thousands of years to relieve various digestive disorders.
Archaeological evidence actually suggests that the plant has been used 10.000 years ago as a dietary supplement.
Its tea helps to move gas through the body when it accumulates and doesn’t cause tension, cramps, and stomach discomfort.
It also stimulates the flow of bile in order to increase the speed and efficiency of digestion and promote healthy bowel movement.
Analgesic action reduces bloating and digestive disorders. It has calming effects on the intestines and smooth muscles of the digestive tract.
With this herbal tea, your problems with diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome and constipation can be improved.
Types of diarrhea
These are 3 types of diarrhea that you should know about.
Acute diarrhea
It can occur due to food poisoning, bacterial infections, viruses or parasites, food intolerance, changes in intestinal flora due to travel to foreign countries, stress and adverse reactions of some medicines (antibiotics, antacids containing magnesium, chemotherapeutic agents, diuretics and osmotic laxatives).
Chronic diarrhea
The causes of this type include chronic inflammation of the gut, bowel cancer, and some other causes.
Travel diarrhea
It can spoil your holidays in close or distant and more exotic places due to the consumption of food and drink most commonly infected with Escherichia coli.
Mostly we are infected with raw vegetables, unwashed fruit, non-pasteurized dairy products, raw meat, seafood, water or ice cream.
However, it is not necessary that food is contaminated. Diarrhea can be caused by a change in diet and the environment, physical effort or drinking alcoholic beverages.
It occurs between 20 and 50 % of travelers traveling around the world. The riskiest countries are Latin America, Africa, and Asia, but it can also occur when traveling across Europe.
Every third patient is tied to bed during the condition, and almost half of them need to change the course of the planned trip.
The signs of illness are different, depending on the agent causing the infection. In addition to diarrhea; vomiting, abdominal cramps, and fever are most common.
Why is diarrhea dangerous?
It is associated with the loss of fluid and electrolytes, which can lead to dehydration. Due to diarrhea, nutrients are not absorbed in the intestines as they should, which further exacerbates the organism.
Dehydration is dangerous especially in the elderly, patients with chronic diseases, small children and pregnant women.
Stages
Mild dehydration is seen as increased thirst and dry mouth. Moderate dehydration can cause fainting in the upright position of the patient, pale skin, reduced urine output, and general weakness.
Patient with severe dehydration has reduced blood pressure, decreased consciousness, rapid, weak pulse, rapid breathing, very dry eyes, and mouth, does not eliminate urine, and is confused and weak.
Rehydrate
Rehydration is the first and most important measure in the treatment of diarrhea.
Drink impeccable water and unsweetened tea (peppermint, dried blueberries, and black tea). Here are the instructions for making the drink.
Tea preparation
Take 2 teaspoons of dry mint and pour them with 2 dcl of hot water, which should not be boiling.
Leave to stand for 10 minutes, strain and enjoy the exceptionally aromatic drink with a pleasant refreshing smell that will help you to relieve diarrhea symptoms and take care of the body hydration.
Lactic bacteria (probiotics)
If you have diarrhea, probiotics are recommendable. Probiotics are available in the pharmacy.
They are used as a preventive and supplemental treatment for the condition due to bacterial and viral gastrointestinal infections.
Lactic bacteria are natural representatives of intestinal flora and help to establish a balance between beneficial and harmful bacteria that break down when diarrhea occurs.
It is crucial that these useful bacteria of human origin can survive in a sufficient amount in the digestive tract, as they can enter the colon where they work.
In addition, a true and varied combination of probiotic cultures is of utmost importance because they can only function on all three levels of the intestinal mucosa, thus ensuring a rapid and effective elimination of the problems.
What about nutrition?
You should consume foods with as little fiber as possible and these are rice, carrot soup, rice, toast, bananas, potatoes, crackers, pre-cooked vegetable pulp, and grated apples.
What to avoid?
Avoid milk and dairy products, sugar, fat, and vegetables, sweet (juices, sweets), oily and spicy food, and also coffee.
You can eat and function normally again after diarrhea calms down. In children, mucus and pectin are recommended (rice mucus, grated apple …), as well as special foods for infants and children.
Never neglect it
Never neglect diarrhea or any kind of health issue, if it lasts too long and you can’t figure out why you have it.
If you can’t establish a balance in your gut with peppermint tea for diarrhea and my tips, go and talk to your doctor.
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