Natural remedy for Cholera should in the beginning aim at fighting the loss of fluids and salts from the body. Cholera is an infectious disease caused by water borne bacteria. This bacterium causes acute diarrhoea and an intestinal infection through the ingestion of contaminated food or water. Cholera is most common in children below 5 years but is not limited to this age group only. In endemic areas, cholera can affect all age groups and can even lead to death.

Liquid Diet Therapy for Cholera
To relieve thirst, water, soda water or green coconut water should be given for sipping although this may be thrown out by vomiting. As a result, only small quantities of water should be given over and over again, as these may remain for sometime within the stomach and stay of every one minute means some absorption. This will moderate internal temperature and check the propensity to vomit. Intravenous infusions of saline solution should be given to reimburse for the loss of fluids and salts from the body. The patient may require 5 litres or more a day. Care should, however, be taken to avoid water logging the patient. Potassium may be added to the infused fluid. Rectal saline may sometimes prove functional for adults. Normally, half a litre of saline, with 30 grams of glucose, should be given per rectum every 5 hours until urine is passed freely.

After the acute stage of cholera is over, the patient may be given green coconut water and barley water in very thin form. When the stools begin to form, he should be given buttermilk. As he progresses towards recuperation, rice softened to semi-solid form mixed with curd, may be given. The patient should not be given solid food till he has completely recovered. Liquid and plain foods, which the patient can consume without endangering a reoccurrence of the malady, are best. Lemon, onion, green chillies, vinegar and mint should be included in the daily diet during an epidemic of cholera.

Home Remedies for Cholera
Certain home remedies have been found advantageous in the cure of cholera.
1. The foremost among these is the use of lemon. The juice of this fruit can kill cholera bacilli within a short time. It is also a very efficient and dependable preventive food item against cholera during the epidemic. It can be taken in the form of sweetened or salted beverages for this purpose. Taking of lemon with food as daily routine can also thwart cholera.
2. The root bark of guava is another valuable remedy. It is rich in tannins and can be effectively employed in the form of concentrated decoction in cholera. It will arrest vomiting and symptoms of Diarrhoea.
3. Onion is very helpful in cholera. About 30 grams of this vegetable and 7 black pepper should be delicately pounded in a pestle and given to the patient. It allays thirst and restlessness and the patient feels better.
4. The fresh juice of bitter gourd or Karela is one more effective medicine in the early stages of cholera. 2 teaspoons of this juice, mixed with an equal quantity of white onion juice and a teaspoon of lime juice, should be given

Cautions for Cholera

•Cholera can be controlled only by rigid purification of water supplies and proper disposal of human wastes.
•In case of the slightest uncertainty about the contamination of the water, it must be boiled before use, for drinking and cooking purposes.
•All foodstuffs must be kept covered and vegetables and fruits washed with a solution of potassium permanganate before consumption.
•Other precautions against this disease comprise avoiding all uncooked vegetables, thorough washing of hands by all those who handle food, and elimination of all contacts with the disease.

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