Food poisoning is something that almost everyone experiences at one point or another.
Food poisoning has several causes, including bacteria, parasites, and viruses.
Food poisoning is generally not a serious issue; it’s more an annoyance than anything else.
In most cases, the symptoms will only last for one or two days.
However, there are instances when food poisoning can be more serious and require medical attention.
Anyone who has had food poisoning knows how uncomfortable it can be.
Fortunately, there are loads of home remedies that you can use to get rid of this condition fast and naturally. Let’s take a look!
How Long Does Food Poisoning Last
Food poisoning can last for varying periods depending on the type of bacteria involved and the person's general health.
Nevertheless, most people who contract food poisoning recover in 1 to 3 days without severe complications.
It may also take a few weeks to recover from serious infections caused by Salmonella or E. coli.
Mild Food Poisoning Symptoms
The symptoms of food poisoning usually begin a few hours after eating contaminated food.
They include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Other symptoms include:
- Fever
- Cramps
- Headache
- Body aches
In most cases, symptoms are mild and do not require treatment.
However, severe symptoms require immediate medical attention. They include a high temperature (>101° F.), severe abdominal cramps, bloody stools, and dehydration.
Occasionally, food poisoning can lead to a life-threatening condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
HUS is a complication of kidney failure that occurs when toxins in contaminated food damage a person's red blood cells.
This is a rare but serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Organisms Causing Food Poisoning
Parasites can cause food poisoning by consuming their hosts' food and then passing it along to humans through feces or vomit.
Food poisoning caused by parasites is called toxoplasmosis, and it's a major public health issue.
Toxoplasmosis can cause miscarriages and even birth defects in unborn children. The most common cause of food poisoning is bacteria.
- E. coli is the most common bacteria that cause food poisoning. E. coli can be found anywhere, even in the food that's supposed to be safe to eat. Furthermore, E. coli is resistant to antibiotics, so it's usually treated with antibiotics in a hospital setting. Thus, many cases of food poisoning are actually caused by E. coli.
- Listeria is another common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis; however, it is much less common than E. coli infection.
- Norovirus: You will find most of these in uncooked seafood including oysters, clams, scallops, crabs, mussels, and other shellfish.
- Salmonella: Salmonellosis is a disease caused by the consumption of undercooked eggs or raw meat products contaminated with salmonella species.
- Staphylococcus aureus is mostly found in dairy products canned foods etc.
If you are looking to treat food poisoning fast and easily then try out these home remedies which are very effective.
13. Basil (Tulsi)
Basil and Tulsi are the best herbs to treat stomach ailments like food poisoning, bloating, acidity, flatulence, etc.
As it relaxes the digestive system and calms down the stomach muscles thereby reducing the secretion of gastric juices and other digestive acids in the stomach which relieves.
- Boil some water and add a few leaves of basil to it and drink this water several times a day to cure your illness quickly also drink basil juice by adding one teaspoon of sugar and drink twice a day for better results.
- You can also make a paste of basil leaves and ginger and apply it to the stomach region to get relief from abdominal pains and burning sensations.
If you are not a fan of basil then add some honey for taste.
12. Cumin Seeds (Jeera)
Cumin seeds work well for food poisoning as cumin seeds are a good source of antispasmodic properties which relax the muscles of the stomach.
Also, cumin seeds have antimicrobial properties which help to prevent infections in the intestines due to bacterial attacks.
Drink a tea prepared with cumin seeds by adding a few drops of lemon juice and honey to it to relieve indigestion and treat food poisoning.
- Boil cumin seeds in a cup of water with freshly extracted coriander juice and drink twice a day. You can also have a salt, cumin seed, and asafoetida mixture (hing).
- Drink this drink 2-3 times per day.
- You can also chew some cumin seeds and swallow them with water to treat your vomiting problem associated with indigestion and other stomach problems.
Chew some roasted cumin seeds and swallow them with water to get rid of bad breath which is caused due to indigestion and other stomach-related problems.
11. Water
Drinking water will flush out all the toxins from your body and also help in restoring electrolyte balance in your body thereby speeding up the process of recovery.
Water also helps to restore the proper fluid balance in the body which prevents dehydration during vomiting episodes associated with gastritis or any other ailment of the digestive tract.
So make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep yourself hydrated when having food poisoning.
The recommended amount of water to drink is eight glasses a day but if you are suffering from acute gastroenteritis then the amount of water required will be more than that but not exceeding ten glasses of water in a day.
10. Rehydration Mixture
Food poisoning is frequently accompanied by dehydration, which depletes your body of critical fluids and minerals.
As a result, drinking lime water can hydrate and replace the body's necessary salts.
In a liter of water, combine 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice, sugar, and salt to taste.
Consume it on a daily basis to avoid dehydration.
9. Drink Milk
Drinking milk when you have food poisoning will help to soothe your stomach due to its soothing effect and it also improves digestion and prevents bloating and gas formation.
But do not consume milk immediately after vomiting as it will cause more irritation to your stomach lining and hence should be avoided during the initial stages of your illness.
But if you can tolerate it, you can consume a glass of warm milk after every episode of vomiting to give a soothing effect to your stomach lining and prevent further irritation to your stomach lining.
8. Honey
Honey is loaded with antibacterial properties and helps in healing the inflamed lining of the stomach and reducing inflammation in the intestinal tract.
This will help to get rid of any unwanted organisms from the intestine after they have been expelled from the body through the stool thus promoting a quick recovery.
Consume one teaspoon of pure honey three times each day.
You can also drink it with tea or lemonade.
7 Eat Apples
Apples are a great home remedy for treating food poisoning.
The pectin in apples helps to bind toxins in the gut and sped up their elimination.
Eat a few apples as soon as you start feeling ill, and drink plenty of fluids.
You should start to feel better within a few hours.
6. Eat Some Garlic
Garlic works great for food poisoning because it is loaded with antioxidants that kill harmful bacteria and helps to clear the toxins from the body as well.
It also helps in speeding up the healing process of the body by reducing the inflammation in the intestinal tract and promoting quick recovery.
Simply add garlic to your soups, salads, or any dishes you are making to get its benefits.
You can also add garlic oil to your foods if you want to get a concentrated dose.
You can mix some crushed garlic cloves with some olive oil and have this solution on an empty stomach to get relief from diarrhea and nausea associated with it.
5. Bananas
Bananas are a good option for treating food poisoning because they are high in potassium and can help to restore electrolytes.
They are also easy to digest and can help to settle the stomach.
However, it is important to make sure that the banana is ripe as this will make it easier to digest.
You should also avoid eating other foods when you have food poisoning as this can make the symptoms worse.
4 Lemon
Lemon is a citrus fruit that is rich in vitamin C. It has many health benefits, including boosting the immune system, aiding digestion, and helping to detoxify the body.
Lemon also has antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it an effective home remedy for treating food poisoning.
- To use lemon as a home remedy for food poisoning, mix the juice of one lemon with a cup of water and drink it several times a day.
- You can also add a tablespoon of honey to sweeten the mixture.
If you have severe food poisoning, you should see a doctor for treatment.
3 Baking Soda
Baking soda is a popular home remedy for treating food poisoning.
The chemical compound helps to neutralize stomach acids, which can help to relieve symptoms like nausea and vomiting.
Baking soda is also effective in absorbing toxins from the gut, which can help to speed up the recovery process.
To use baking soda as a home remedy for treating food poisoning, mix one teaspoon of baking soda with eight ounces of water.
Drink this mixture every few hours until symptoms subside.
2. Ginger
Ginger is a popular spice with many health benefits. It can be used to treat nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea caused by food poisoning.
To use ginger as a home remedy for treating food poisoning, mix 1 teaspoon of grated ginger root with 1 cup of water.
Drink this mixture every few hours until symptoms improve. You can also take ginger supplements after consulting with your doctor.
1. Get Plenty of Rest
Yes, rest this is the best home remedy when it comes to treating food poisoning at home.
When you get enough rest, you allow your body the time it needs to heal itself naturally without having to take antibiotics or other medications which can have serious side effects on your health in the long run.
Also when you are resting well and getting plenty of sleep, you are allowing your body's immune system time to fight off the infection on its own which in turn helps you recover faster without any medical interventions.
So getting enough rest and sleep is the best thing you can do for your health and well-being when you get a stomach bug or any kind of stomach infection or ailment for that matter.
To Sum it Up
In conclusion, the best home remedies for the treatment of food poisoning are staying hydrated with water and eating foods rich in vitamins.
Such as vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, and vitamin E as well as minerals such as iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium, etc.
A healthy diet rich in these nutrients will help to boost your immune system and help you recover from an infection quickly without taking any medication at all but using natural remedies to treat your sickness at home instead.
If at any point in time you develop severe symptoms such as high fever, shortness of breath, severe abdominal pain, bloody stools, or any signs of dehydration then immediately seek medical attention.
This can be a sign of something more serious than a simple case of food poising that requires immediate medical treatment to prevent any further complications from happening in the future.
So be very careful when treating yourself at home and instead always consult a doctor if the symptoms are getting worse instead of better.
