Coconut eases diarrhea.

One teaspoon of shredded coconut, twice a day, has stopped diarrhea experienced by people with colitis and other chronic intestinal problems, according to the People's Pharmacy. Writers Joe and Terry Graedon, hosts of the People's Pharmacy radio show and publications, first learned of this home remedy about ten years ago from Donald Agar, who reported a 40-year "never-ending battle with diarrhea" due to Crohn's disease. Agar told People's Pharmacy, "I've been eating two [Archway Coconut Macaroon cookies] a day [for three months] and I have not experienced diarrhea in that time. If by chance I eat three in a day, I get constipated. ... My brother-in-law has a friend who just had cancer and suffered diarrhea as a consequence of the operation. We told him about the cookies and they corrected his diarrhea."

Since publicizing the man's letter, the Graedons have heard similar reports from hundreds of readers. In some cases, these people had battled diarrhea for years. Medications--including Lomotil, hyoscyamine, and sulfasalazine--had given them only partial relief. While it does not cure the underlying illness, shredded coconut has relieved diarrhea in some people.

People's Pharmacy. Coconut counters chronic colitis [Web page]. Available at: www.peoplespharrnacy.com/2009/02/23/coconut-counter. Accessed July 1, 2009.

People's Pharmacy. Desperate diarrhea victims bemoan Archway bankruptcy [Web page]. Available at: www.peoplespharmacy.com/2008/11/24/desperate-diarr. Accessed July 1, 2009.

briefed by Jule Klotter

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