Rx for Food Poisoning

Seven natural ways to ease uncomfortable symptoms

Food poisoning is not fun, to say the least. Vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and dehydration are the classic signs. It’s your body’s way of ridding itself of something you ate that didn’t quite agree with you—usually food contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or chemicals. The good news is that some natural home remedies can offer relief. Here are top recommendations from Mark Stengler, NMD, and James F. Balch, MD, coauthors of Prescription for Natural Cures.

Stay Hydrated

The most important thing to do when you have food poisoning is to stay hydrated by drinking two cups of liquid every waking hour. Water, diluted fruit and vegetable juices, and broths are good choices.

Ginger

Ginger is a fantastic home remedy for nausea. Drink a cup of fresh ginger tea, or take 500 mg in capsules or 2 ml of a tincture every two hours.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis)

This herb helps to improve diarrhea related to an intestinal infection. Take 1 ml of a tincture or 300 mg in capsule form four times daily.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

A nice cup of peppermint tea can be very soothing, reducing nausea and cramping. Drink a cup of peppermint tea every two hours, or take 1 ml of a tincture or 250 mg in capsule form.

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal capsules can help to absorb toxins from food poisoning. Charcoal works best when taken in the first stages of food poisoning (when you first realize you have it). Take 3 capsules every two hours for three doses.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) oil

Oregano oil has powerful antimicrobial effects. Take 500 mg of the capsule form four times daily or as directed on the label.

Probiotics

Take a product containing at least 4 billion active organisms two or three times daily. The friendly bacteria, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus, fight intestinal infection.

Good Buys

Country Life
Natural Activated Charcoal

Eclectic Institute
Goldenseal Root

Gaia Herbs
Oil of Oregano

Nature’s Way Primadophilus
Optima Intensive

Organic India
Tulsi Peppermint Tea