We love it when readers share home remedies that work for common health concerns. One of our all-time favorites is coconut for the runs. A reader recently wrote that the effects of a colonoscopy preparation lasted beyond the procedure itself. Coconut macaroon cookies saved the day!
Coconut Cookies Solve a Case of the Runs:
Q. You have written about coconut macaroons to counteract diarrhea. I would like to add my own testimonial.
Jennie’s organic coconut bites with cacao nibs and dark chocolate worked beautifully for post- colonoscopy problems. I own no stock in this company. I am a nonrandom sample of one, and the colonoscopy was normal. However, results of the prep last longer than the procedure, at least for some of us. Four coconut bites seem to have solved the problem completely.
A. Many people report success with coconut for diarrhea. You are the first to suggest it can be helpful after a colonoscopy, and the first to select Jennie’s brand.
Coconut Helps Man and Beast:
Q. My favorite People’s Pharmacy cure? Archway Coconut cookies for diarrhea. Normally one small cookie does the trick for me, small children and, oh yes, even my dogs.
I gave one to my daughter’s beagle when she had a bout of the runs, and it did the trick. Her vet didn’t approve and said I had given Josie (the beagle) more sugar than she needs in her whole life, but it stopped the problem immediately. It was super easy to administer and had no discernible side effects.
A. We first learned about this remedy from the late Donald Agar in Pittsfield, MA, who discovered it through self-experimentation. We have since heard from many readers who have found coconut helpful, in cookies or alone. Archway brand may be unavailable, but other brands seem to work as well.
Another reader has also found this remedy helpful for a canine patient:
“My wonderful dog hasn’t soiled in the house for over twelve years, since she was a little puppy. So I was alarmed last week when she developed diarrhea and soiled our brand-new carpet.
“I was upset, but remembered the people who have written about Archway Coconut Macaroons. I bought the cookies and gave her some, and she did not have another accident. It may be coincidence, but I am convinced these cookies work wonders.”
We always recommend following the vet’s advice on treating a pet. Some items–such as the coconut bites with cacao nibs mentioned above–could be quite toxic for dogs.
CDM has suggested that people who are avoiding sugar and carbs might still be able to benefit from Mr. Agar’s discovery:
“If it’s the lauric acid in the coconut that helps stop the diarrhea, then why not just eat a spoonful of pure organic coconut oil that is tasty and healthy in so many ways and can be used for baking, frying or even as a moisturizer?”
We don’t know for sure whether it is the lauric acid, but plain unsweetened coconut seems to work as well as coconut macaroon cookies. There are more details on this and hundreds of other remedies in our book, The People’s Pharmacy Quick & Handy Home Remedies.
