GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF HERBAL MEDICINES IN FAMILY HEALTH CARE
PRECAUTIONS
TREATING DIARRHOEA WITH HERBAL MEDICINES SHOULD FOLLOW GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR
TREATING DIARRHOEA:
1. FLUIDS SHOULD BE GIVEN IMMEDIATELY TO REPLACE THE LOST OF BODY FLUIDS AFTER EACH
DEFAECATION. THE FLUID COULD BE ORAL REHYDRATION SOLUTION, YOUNG COCONUT
FRUIT WATER OR EVEN SOUP.
2. ONE OF THESE REMEDIES CAN BE GIVEN TO PERSONS SUFFERING FROM DIARRHOEA
WITHOUT BLOOD OR MUCUS IN STOOL.
3. TREATMENT AGAINST DYSENTERY IS RECOMMENDED FOR PERSONS SUFFERING FROM
DIARRHOEA WITH BLOOD OR MUCUS IN STOOL.
4. TREATMENT AGAINST VOMITING SHOULD BE GIVEN TO PERSONS SUFFERING FROM
DIARRHOEA WITH VOMITING.
5. DIARRHOEA IN CHILDREN COULD BE CAUSED BY WORM INFESTATION. WHEN DIARRHOEA
SYMPTOMS ARE OVER AND PRESENCE OF WORM INFESTATION IS FOUND, THE CHILD SHOULD
BE GIVEN DEWORMING MEDICINE OR REMEDIES.
6. WHEN DIARRHOEA IS STILL PRESENT AFTER THE SECOND DAY, REFER THE PATIENT TO A HEALTH
CENTRE.
