Dysentery Tablet: Can Ayurveda Provide a Safer and More Effective Alternative?

Question

Last week, I ate some street food (which I now regret) and started having really bad stomach cramps the next day. By evening, I was running to the bathroom every 20 minutes with watery diarrhea, and then I noticed there was blood in it. I freaked out and went straight to a doctor, who told me it was dysentery and prescribed antibiotics along with a dysentery tablet to control the diarrhea.

The dysentery tablet worked fast – the stools became less frequent within a day, and the bleeding stopped in two days. But here’s the thing – now my stomach feels weird, like it’s completely dried out, and my digestion feels weak. I haven’t been able to eat properly without bloating, and I feel like my gut isn’t working the same way as before.

I started reading about the side effects of these strong dysentery tablets, and apparently, they can mess up gut bacteria, causing long-term digestive issues. I don’t want to rely on these every time I get stomach infections. That’s why I’m looking into Ayurveda – does it have a natural alternative to a dysentery tablet that actually treats the infection without wrecking digestion?

I read about herbs like kutaj, bilva, and pomegranate being good for loose motions and infections. But do they actually work like a dysentery tablet, or do they take longer? Also, how do I use them? Should I take them only when I have dysentery, or can I use something daily to prevent gut issues?

Another thing – my digestion hasn’t felt strong even before this infection. I get bloated easily and sometimes have constipation. Can Ayurveda fix my stomach so that I don’t even get dysentery in the first place? If so, what changes should I make?

Would love to hear from anyone who has used Ayurvedic remedies instead of a dysentery tablet and if they worked as fast as the regular medicine. Any advice would help!

Dr Sujal Patil · Accepted Answer

It sounds like your gut has taken a hit from both the dysentery and the strong antibiotics, which can wipe out good gut bacteria and weaken digestion. Ayurveda does offer natural alternatives to dysentery tablets, using herbs like Kutaj (Holarrhena antidysenterica), Bilva (Bael fruit), and Pomegranate, which have strong antimicrobial, astringent, and gut-strengthening properties. Kutaj is especially known for treating dysentery by stopping diarrhea without disturbing gut flora, while Bilva and Pomegranate help soothe inflammation and restore digestion. You can take Kutajarishta (a fermented liquid formulation of Kutaj) or Bilva powder with warm water when experiencing loose motions. These remedies are gentler on digestion than synthetic tablets but may take a bit longer to fully resolve symptoms.

Since your digestion was already weak before this infection, Ayurveda would focus on strengthening your gut and digestive fire (Agni) to prevent future stomach infections. To restore balance, start by rebuilding gut flora with buttermilk (takra) infused with roasted cumin and rock salt, or try Ayurvedic probiotics like fermented rice water or kanji (fermented carrot/beet drink). Herbs like Triphala and Hingvastak churna can help with bloating and irregular digestion. To prevent infections, you can drink fresh ginger tea regularly to boost digestion and immunity, and avoid cold, heavy, and overly processed foods that weaken Agni.

For long-term gut health, focus on eating light, easily digestible meals, incorporating ghee to nourish the intestinal lining, and drinking boiled water with fennel and coriander seeds to cleanse the system. Practicing daily Abhyanga (oil massage with warm sesame oil) and maintaining a regular eating schedule can also help regulate digestion. If you’re prone to stomach issues, you might want to keep Kutajarishta or Bilva churna at home as a first-line treatment for infections instead of immediately resorting to antibiotics. Over time, these Ayurvedic approaches can help strengthen your gut so you’re less likely to get dysentery again.

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