Diarrhea that lasts more than two weeks is called chronic diarrhea. Chronic diarrhea can be unpleasant for a healthy person; however, it can be a life-threatening illness for someone with an impaired immune system. Common causes of this condition are infections, disorders, or previous surgery in the intestinal tract, food intolerance, medications, hyperthyroidism, decreased blood flow to the intestines, altered immune function, and hereditary disorders.
Ayurvedic treatment of chronic diarrhea is aimed at relieving symptoms and treating a known cause. Intestinal tract infections can be treated with drugs such as Panchamrut-Parpati, Ras-Parpati and Kutai-Parpati. Parasitic infections can be treated with Vidang (Embilia ribes), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Bahawa (Cassia fistula) and Sukshma-Triphala. Viral infections can be treated with drugs such as Bhumiamalaki (Phyllanthus niruri), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Bhrungraj (Eclipta Alba) and Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum).
Food intolerance can be treated with drugs such as Shank-Vati, Trikatu (Three Spicy Herbs), Agnitundi-Vati and Pippalarishty. Pancreatic diseases can be treated with drugs such as Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Behada (Terminalia bellerica), Yashtimaduk, Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus) and Usheer (Vetiveria zizanioidis). Intestinal infection can be treated with drugs such as Kamdudha-Ras, Pravall-Panchamrut, Bilva-Awaleha, Yashtimaduk, Praval, Bilva (Egle Marmelos), Must (Cyperus rotundus) and Kutai (Holarrhina antidysentrica). Chronic diarrhea caused by previous surgery or radiation of the abdominal cavity can be treated with drugs such as Shank-Vati, Agnitundi-Vati, Ashwaganda (Withania somnifera), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Vishwa (Zinziber officinalis) and Pippali (Piper longum) . Reduced blood flow to the intestines can be treated with drugs such as Tapyadi-Loch, Ekang-Vir-Ras and Abrak-Bhazma. Altered immune function leading to chronic diarrhea can be treated with drugs such as Suvarna-Malini-Vastan, Lough Parpati and Suvarna-Parpati.
Cottage cheese, buttermilk and pomegranate juice are specifically recommended for both acute and chronic diarrhea. It is important to maintain proper hygiene and use safe drinking water.
