The Best Home Remedies for Food Poisoning

Food poisoning causes misery to millions of sufferers every year and can be easily treated with simple, effective home remedies. Symptoms of food poisoning, also known as stomach flu, or acute gastroenteritis; include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fever, cramps and diarrhea. Seafood, Salad bars, street food, under-cooked meats, and food handled by persons already suffering from the illness have all been identified as the causes of this very common illness.

The most popular of home remedies for food poisoning is activated charcoal, available from local pharmacies and health food stores at $4-$6 for 100 tablets. Take the recommended dose as early as possible, while the bacteria are concentrated high in the intestines. It works by absorbing toxins from the bacteria in your stomach and removing them from the body. If you find yourself needing help in the middle of the night, try lightly burning and eating a couple of slices of toast for relief. Activated charcoal is made from carbononizing wood, the "activating" increases surface area so the charcoal absorbs a huge amount of gas and bacteria. Known as the Universal Antidote it is used in hospital emergency rooms to treat accidental poisoning and drug over doses. Activated charcoal saves lives on a regular basis, keeping a bottle in the home is strongly recommended.

Apple cider vinegar is an old home remedy for food poisoning; Try two teaspoons in warm drinking water, three times a day, sweetened with honey. Sip, rather than gulp this drink to prevent further aggravating your sensitive system. Vinegar disinfects the stomach, as shown in recent Japanese studies by vinegar manufacturers. They found adding vinegar to ground meat infected with salmonella and E Coli kills the bacteria. In a pinch, any kind of vinegar will serve to lessen symptoms and reduce pain.

Peppermint tea is a famous home remedy for food poisoning. Drink 3-4 cups a day, made from tea bags or loose herbs found at most food stores. Boiling the tea can reduce the active ingredients, the best method is to pour hot water over the peppermint and steep for 5 minutes. Candies flavored with real peppermint essence, like the Altoids brand, are convenient if you have to travel while ill, or are treating older children. Chewing gum also provides smaller doses of the active ingredient, menthol. Peppermint works by calming the spasms that make your stomach cramp, expelling gas, and helping digestion. If no tea or candy is available, a little toothpaste, naturally flavored, has been known to give relief.

Illness from food poisoning usually lasts from 2-4 days, easily treatable by home remedies unless these signs are present.

Severe vomiting and diarrhea lasting more than 2 days

Blood in stools or urine

High fever, with strong chills or heavy sweats

Intense pains in one area

Skin rashes unexplained by known allergies

Problems with vision or breathing

You should seek the advice of a doctor or hospital for the symptoms above, or if the sufferer is very young, an elderly person, or has other health issues, as it may be a more serious illness than home remedies can treat.

Complete recovery requires lots of rest and fluids to replace ones you have lost. Sports drinks, such as Gatorade replace minerals washed out by the illness.

Home remedy re-hydration mix

I liter bottled water

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice

Mix well, serve at room temperature and replace with fresh each day. Lemons or limes not only flavor the drink, they also have antiseptic properties to help the healing process.

Over the counter medicines stop vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea but give only temporary relief of the symptoms. Your body is trying to get rid of the toxins from the bad food, and is very good at this, as you probably know by now! The best strategy is to let it do the work and support recovery, unless you have to fly, or attend an interview. Please avoid anything that stops the healing process, including antacids. Rest as much as possible, so all your energy goes to getting better. A day without food gives your body the chance to heal, and when you feel it is safe to start eating again, think about a light diet of soups and bread, heavy on easily digested carbohydrates and avoid greasy and spicy foods for the first few days.