13 Stomach Bug and Food Poisoning Remedies
It's September and the stomach bug has arrived in full force. At least in the Carolina's. My daughter had it a couple of weeks ago, thankfully it was mild for her but I also think it was mild because I used these EXACT remedies below. Many other kids in her class got the stomach bug MUCH worse than she did unfortunately.
I just dropped a new video on Tik Tok and Instagram showing how I make the gut healing popsicles for the stomach bug. We use these as prevention AND treatment. Check out the video if you are a visual learner like me.
Gut Soothing Popsicles:
1 cup 100% concord grape juice, no sugar added
1/2 cup Elderberry and Honey Tonic
1-2 capsules of GI Detox OR Activated Charcoal
Mix the juice and elderberry together and open up the capsules. I prefer to blend this up in my magic bullet so it won't be grainy at all. Blend and pour into popsicle molds then pop into freezer for a few hours! I have these from amazon! They are only $12 and have lasted me over two years.
I prefer GI detox over just plain activated charcoal because it has additional ingredients that help to soothe the stomach and mop up germs. Here is information from the manufacturer, Biocidin, and I absolutely trust and love their supplements.
G.I. Detox™+ is formulated to provide broader activity than a single-ingredient product.* Zeolite clay, activated charcoal, and MMST silica, plus apple pectin, humic and fulvic acids, and aloe vera. Binding and detoxification agents long used in traditional medicine and supported by modern research.
Benefits
- Assists in “mop up” of microbial and biofilm components*
- Supports healthy detoxification and full-body cleansing*
- Supports clearance of mold metabolites*
- Helps in the neutralization of histamine*
- Supports a more comfortable cleansing experience*
- May reduce bloating and gas*
- Supports mental clarity*
Viruses
Viruses such as norovirus, adenovirus, and rotavirus are highly contagious. The norovirus is the most common, affecting up to 21 million people in the U.S. annually. A stomach virus is typically spread by coming into direct contact with someone sick. GI viruses can also be transmitted by touching an infected person’s saliva, stool, or vomit.
Food Poisoning
According to the CDC, 1 in 6 Americans (48 million people) suffers from food poisoning annually. I had a very dear friend that suffered with an awful case of food poisoning last year that landed her in the hospital and it was scary.
The most common causes of food poisoning include the following:
- Raw, undercooked, or contaminated meat
- Contaminated water
- Unpasteurized beverages
- Raw fish or oysters
- Fruits or vegetables that aren’t rinsed thoroughly
- Soft or unpasteurized cheeses
For adults who don't feel like eating a popsicle for their upset stomach (although I recommend it because popsicles are FUN) then here is what I personally do:
1. Take GI Detox, one hour away from other supplements and medications. I typically take 2-3 a day when not feeling well. **
2. Take shots of apple cider vinegar or fire cider a few times a day
3. Elderberry Tonic every few hours to boost my immune system
4. Tummy Ease Tea which includes all of the herbs that are recommended for upset stomach. Chamomille, ginger, peppermint and more!
5. Bone Broth, you can check out my bone broth recipe here
6. I typically try to follow the BRAT diet (BRAT stands for bananas, rice, applesauce and toast) is commonly recommended for people recovering from the stomach flu. Why these four foods? They are all typically easy on the stomach and can also up bind up stools, which is helpful when you’re struggling with diarrhea. These simple foods can be a great start for the first hours or day of eating solid foods when you’re recovering from stomach flu. Just don’t rely on the BRAT diet long term because research has shown that this diet is too low in vital nutrients, especially for children.
7. Electrolytes – Coconut Water is a great source of natural electrolytes. I much prefer it to sports drinks like Gatorade that are full of food dyes and sugar (or even worse, artificial sweetener). My other favorite electrolyte mix is this powder from Seeking Health. We always have some on hand!
8. Fresh Ginger – Ginger is widely known for its digestive effects. Studies show it to be an effective option for relieving nausea and vomiting. Grate fresh ginger into warm water and add honey.
9. Apple Sauce – Cooked apples are easier to digest and contain more pectin, which helps to reduce the symptoms of diarrhea and soothes the gastrointestinal tract.
10. Fresh or frozen pineapple – Pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain which acts as a digestive aid, is anti-inflammatory, and could potentially kill viruses.
11. Warm Epsom Salt Bath – Epsom salts are good for detox, and will provide some needed magnesium.
12. Peppermint Essential Oil – Peppermint is well known for it’s anti-nausea effects. Dilute it with a carrier oil and rub on the soles of the feet (be careful not to get it on the eyes or face). You can also diffuse it into a room or put it on a wet washcloth. (Please note that peppermint oil might not be the best choice for young children because it can potentially cause skin irritation and respiratory distress when inhaled.)
13. 100% Concord Grape Juice, No Sugar Added- Some people claim that drinking grape juice changes the ph of your digestive tract, making it harder for a stomach virus to multiply. Obviously, this has not been clinically studied or proven but it doesn't hurt to take a few sips throughout the day when you know the virus is going around.
** The above is most effective when taken within 1 hour of experiencing symptoms of food poisoning or a stomach virus. During this time, the toxins are still primarily in the stomach and can be adsorbed by the binders in the GI Detox before it is absorbed and spreads throughout the body.
