One plant that researchers from the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco and the Federal University of Pernambuco in Brazil found to have potential use as a natural remedy against diarrhea is jurubeba (Solanum paniculatum). This plant has long been used as a traditional remedy for anemia, liver disorder, hangovers, and digestive problems. Additionally, studies have shown that jurubeba can be used against tuberculosis, malaria, high blood pressure, inflammatory diseases, and fever. These therapeutic applications can be attributed to the different compounds present in the plant, which include steroids, terpenes, alkaloids, and saponins.
In this study, which was published in The Brazilian Journal of Pharmacognosy, the researchers determined the antidiarrheal activity of jurubeba extracts in male albino rats. They used three different setups to determine jurubeba's antidiarrheal potential. The first of these was castor oil-induced diarrhea, wherein they measured the weight of feces excreted. They also measured gastrointestinal motility based on how far a charcoal meal was able to travel in the intestines. Lastly, they used a model for castor oil-induced enteropooling, which shows how much fluid has accumulated in the intestines. The results of these tests showed that jurubeba significantly reduced the weight of feces, slowed down movement through the intestines, and prevented the accumulation of intestinal fluid.
Additionally, the researchers identified the anti-inflammatory compound called chlorogenic acid to be the main component found in the plant extracts. They believed that this compound contributes to the reduced accumulation of intestinal fluid since excessive fluid secretion involves an inflammatory response.
Overall, these results prove that the Brazilian plant jurubeba has potential use as a natural remedy for diarrhea. This therapeutic application can partially be attributed to the presence of chlorogenic acid. (Related: A guide to treating diarrhea using natural remedies.)
If you don't have access to jurubeba, don't worry -- there are other natural remedies for diarrhea that you can use. Some examples of these include the following:
For more articles about natural remedies for diarrhea, visit NaturalCures.news.
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