How to Use St. John's Wort to Treat Diarrhea

Running to the bathroom every few minutes because you have diarrhea can be exhausting. Additionally, having such frequent, watery stools can lead to dehydration and fatigue. There are holistic ways to treat the condition, including the use of extracts from St. John's Wort.

Things You'll Need

• St. John's Wort vinegar tincture or oil extract
• Dried St. John's Wort

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Instructions

Treat Stomach Upsets With St. John's Wort

• 1

  Determine the cause of your stomach upset. Diarrhea can be a reaction to many different things, including viral infections, bacterial infections, food poisoning, medications and even stress. Knowing the cause can help you determine the most appropriate course of treatment.

• 2

  See a doctor if you are suffering from chronic diarrhea, as this is sometimes a symptom of a larger disease. At your appointment, you can discuss your options for alternative-medical treatments, including the use of St. John's Wort.

• 3

  Wait a few hours after your stomach upset has begun before administering any treatment. Diarrhea is the body's natural way of cleansing itself of any toxins that might be present. However, you should begin to treat any symptoms of dehydration as soon as possible.

• 4

  Brew a tea using 2 tbsp. of dried St. John's Wort or teabags made from the herb. Both can be purchased at health-food stores. When purchasing prepackaged preparations of St. John's Wort, check the label to make sure it has been standardized, so that each dose contains 3 percent of the active ingredient, hypericin.

• 5

  Sip the tea to benefit from the astringent and antimicrobial properties of St. John's Wort. The herb also has a sedating effect, which can calm the muscle spasms of your colon.

• 6

  Treat diarrhea with the internal consumption of 5 to 10 drops of a St. John's Wort vinegar tincture. Vinegar itself is an excellent remedy for diarrhea, and combining the two may ease your stomach a little sooner.

• 7

  Purchase and use an oil extract of St. John's Wort if your stomach cannot tolerate the acidity of the vinegar. The oil extract should be used the same way as a vinegar tincture.

Make a St. John's Wort Vinegar Tincture

• 8

  Use vinegar to create a non-alcoholic tincture. The concoction can even be used as a soothing salad dressing or to treat stomach troubles.

• 9

  Steep 2 oz. of dried St. John's Wort in 1 pint of vinegar.

• 10

  Let the concoction stand for about a week, shaking it occasionally to help it to mix evenly.

• 11

  Strain the liquid. Throw out the vegetation and place the liquid in a bottle with a dropper lid.