Cinnamon comes from a plant that is indigenous to India and Sri Lanka, and the bark is used to make a powder, oil, infusion and tea. It has many uses, many of which relate to the digestive tract, and cinnamon may be particularly helpful in relieving diarrhea and its accompanying symptoms. Talk to your doctor about using cinnamon to help treat and prevent diarrhea. Let him know if your diarrhea becomes chronic.
Aid for Diarrhea
The primary medicinal uses for cinnamon are to reduce flatulence and bloating, stimulate your appetite and help stop diarrhea, according to the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. HolisticOnline also states that cinnamon acts as a digestive aid to promote proper and regular functioning of your bowels, helping to relieve any symptoms of indigestion or vomiting you may experience along with diarrhea. Because of cinnamon's antibacterial properties, it may also help get rid of any bacterial infection that may be causing your diarrhea and other symptoms; however, the most common cause of diarrhea is an intestinal virus, also known as the stomach flu.
How to Take It
Making a tea from cinnamon bark is the recommended method for treating diarrhea, says the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Purchase your cinnamon bark from a reputable location to ensure its purity and lack of contamination. Add 0.5 to 3 tsp. of the bark to 1 cup of hot water, and allow it to steep for five minutes. Drink 1 cup of the tea daily, or follow the recommendations of your health care provider. You can also steep a black tea bag with the cinnamon bark for added flavor, if you so desire.
Precautions
The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health warns that cinnamon bark can potentially lower your blood glucose levels, as well as cause an allergic reaction, so it is important to discuss using it with your doctor before doing so. Also let her know about any medications you are on, as cinnamon can negatively interact with tetracyclines and medications used to treat diabetes. Those with bleeding disorders should also exercise caution when using cinnamon, says HolisticOnline; it may interact with the anticoagulant known as warfarin. Additionally, always tell your physician about any herbs or supplements you're taking before you begin consuming new ones, as these may interact with one another, as well.
Additional Considerations
Diarrhea caused by a viral or bacterial infection typically goes away after a few days, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, and certain foods and herbs, like cinnamon, can help relieve your symptoms. However, if you experience diarrhea for more than five days, your stool is black, you have a fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit or you have abdominal pain, seek medical attention. Also tell your doctor if you experience any negative interactions while ingesting cinnamon.
