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Rice Tea

Settles a runny tummy!

Boil 1/2 a cup of rice in about 6 cups of water for 15 minutes.
Strain out the rice and flavor the tea with a dash of vanilla extract, some honey or a touch of agave or sugar, and/or cinnamon.
Serve warm.

Other tummy settlers:

The BRAT diet. Bananas, Rice, Apples, Toast:

1. Bananas

Bland and easily digested. The high level of potassium in bananas helps to replace electrolytes that may be lost by severe bouts of diarrhea. Bananas are also rich in pectin and inulin, soluble fibres that helps to absorb liquid in the intestines. Inulin is also a prebiotic - a substance that promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria (probiotics) in the intestinal system.

2. White Rice and Mashed Potatoes

Easily digested starches as they are low in fibre & are also high in the GI tract. Eat your rice and potatoes plain; butter has a high fat content which could be irritating.

3. Applesauce

Like bananas, apples are a good source of pectin. Cooking the apples reduces the fibre content & makes them easier to digest, allowing you to benefit from the pectin, sugar and other nutrients.

4. White Toast and Crackers

Low in fibre so easier fot the digestion. The salt (sodium) in crackers will be also help restore the electrolyte balance.

5. Yogurt

It is generally recommended that dairy products should be avoided during acute diarrhea episodes. Yogurt is a major exception to this rule. Look for yogurt that contains live or active cultures, or more specifically Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum. These active cultures are probiotics and they appear to help to establish a healthier balance of bacteria in the digestive tract.

6. Steamed Chicken

Steamed white meat chicken is an easily digested source of protein, avoid butter and oils for the reasons stated above.

7. Blueberries

Reportedly dried blueberries have a long history of use in Sweden as a treatment for diarrhea. Dr. Varro Tyler in his book, Herbs of Choice recommends either chewing dried blueberries or making a tea by boiling crushed dried blueberries for about ten minutes.

Blueberries contain tannins which act as an astringent, contracting tissue and reducing inflammation and secretion of liquids and mucous. Blueberries also contain substances called anthocyanosides, which have antibacterial properties, as well as being a good source of antioxidants. Lastly, blueberries are another source of the soluble fibre pectin.

8. Tea

Two teas in particular are especially good: Peppermint and Chamomile.

Peppermint Tea: Peppermint has a soothing effect on the gastrointestinal system. It is thought to calm and relax the muscles along the intestinal tract, thus reducing spasms. Peppermint also seems to be effective in reducing intestinal gas.

Chamomile Tea: Chamomile is a flowering herb. Chamomile tea appears to be effective in reducing intestinal inflammation and calming intestinal spasms.