15 Home Remedies for Food Poisoning Symptom Relief

Food poisoning is not only a horrible way to end an evening out or enjoyable lunch, but it can be pretty scary. Even scarier is the fact that an increasing number of the bacteria which cause food poisoning are becoming resistant to conventional antibiotics. Our 15 home remedies for food poisoning symptom relief can help get you back on your feet in no time.

Food poisoning suffers are affected in a number of different way from mild intestinal discomfort to severe dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea. In the most severe cases, people can die from certain types of food poisoning. There are more than 250 diseases, which somehow come into contact with the food that you eat, that can cause food poisoning. The most common types come from the following bacteria:

• Campylobacter;
• Salmonella;
• Shigella;
• E. coli O157:H7;
• Listeria;
• Botulism;
• Norovirus.

Though your local department of health does everything it can to help prevent these bacteria from getting into the food prepared for you in restaurants, they sometimes fail to catch all possibilities. In those cases, you might need to make use of one or more of our 15 home remedies for food poisoning symptom relieve, but they aren’t all inclusive. In severe cases, you will need to consult your health care provider.

15 Home Remedies for Food Poisoning Symptom Relief

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is one of the best home remedies for food poisoning.

What to do:

• Mix 2 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar in 1 cup of hot water. Drink it as need to sooth your stomach.
• For a quick treatment, drink 2 to 3 tsp of undiluted apple cider vinegar.

How it works:Though it is an acid, apple cider vinegar metabolizes as an alkaline, which is what makes it bring relief to your upset stomach. Additionally, apple cider vinegar has strong antiseptic properties to kill offending bacteria.

Basil Leaves

A list of home remedies for food poisoning wouldn’t be complete without basil leaves.

What to do:

• Add several basil leaves or 1 tsp of dry basil to a cup of boiling water and allow it to simmer for 3 to 5 minutes.
• Strain the tea into a mug and drink it throughout the day until you’re back to normal.
• Also, you can add several drops of basil oil to 4 cups of water. Sip the water throughout the day to relieve symptoms.

How it works:Basil not only has antimicrobial properties, but it also soothes abdominal discomfort.

Lemon

Lemon juice is about the simplest of all the home remedies for food poisoning as you can get.

What to do:

• Take 1tsp of lemon juice every 3 to 4 hours throughout the day.
• Or sip warm or hot water with lemon juice and a little honey throughout the day to clean out your system.

How it works:The acid in lemons kills the bacteria which cause most types of food poisoning. Lemon is also anti-inflammatory to help ease discomfort.

Honey

One of the sweetest home remedies for food poisoning, by far, is honey.

What to do:

• Take 1 tsp of honey every 3 to 4 hours until your symptoms are gone.

How it works:Besides settling out of control stomach acid, honey also has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.

Fenugreek Seeds and Yogurt

Though the combination of fenugreek seeds and yogurt might seem like one of the strangest home remedies for food poisoning, it is one of the fastest acting.

What to do:

• Add 1 tsp of fenugreek seeds to 1 Tbsp of plain yogurt.
• Swallow the mixture without chewing the seeds.
• Take every 3 to 4 hours until symptoms subside.

How it works:The combined antimicrobial properties of fenugreek seeds and yogurt not only kill bacteria, but also bring almost immediate relieve of abdominal pain and vomiting.

Banana

Eating a banana probably is not the first thing you think of when considering home remedies for food poisoning, but it works.

What to do:

• Slice a ripe banana and slowly eat it a few slices at a time until you feel your stomach relax.
• Continue to eat more bananas throughout the day until symptoms are gone.

How it works:Bananas are easy on your stomach and easy to digest. Additionally, bananas are an excellent source of potassium, which helps restore depleted electrolytes.

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint is one of the most soothing home remedies for food poisoning.

What to do:

• Keep peppermint tea on hand for all stomach discomfort.
• Make peppermint tea according to package directions and drink it 3 to 4 times a day.
• If you don’t have peppermint tea, sucking on mint candies, chewing peppermint gum or even a small dap of mint toothpaste can help.

How it works:Peppermint calms the spasms in the stomach brought on by vomiting and gets you back to being able to keep food down again.

Cumin

Cumin is a common spice found most kitchens; it is a great addition to our list of home remedies for food poisoning.

What to do:

• You can thoroughly chew and swallow 1 tsp of raw cumin seeds several times a day.
• Or make a tea by adding 1 tsp of seeds to a cup of boiling water.
• Allow it to simmer for 3 to 5 minutes and then pour it into a cup.
• Drink the tea several times a day.

How it works:Cumin seeds help to ease inflammation and discomfort, but also help your stomach digest food easier and get you back to keeping down solid food more quickly.

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is among the best home remedies for food poisoning.

What to do:

• Take 2 560mg capsules every 3 to 4 hours.
• Or, mix 25 to 50 grams of activated charcoal powder in a glass of water. For young children use ½ to 1/3 of the above amount.
• Drink the mixture every 3 to 4 hours.

Note: Do not use activated charcoal with Sorbitol, as it is a laxative.

How it works:Activated charcoal prevents the toxins from being absorbed by your stomach and avoids a worsening condition.

Garlic

Garlic is a superfood on every list of home remedies. It is another of the home remedies for food poisoning as well.

What to do:

• Chew on a clove of garlic 2 to 3 times throughout the day.
• You can also take a garlic supplement capsule 2 to 3 times a day.

How it works:Garlic aids in digestion when you do try to eat again, helps balance the pH in your GI tract and reduces inflammation.

Chicken Broth

Another of the best home remedies for food poisoning is chicken broth.

What to do:

• Sip a cup of warm chicken broth several times throughout the day until your stomach has calmed and you’re able to eat regular food again.

How it works:Chicken broth helps to rehydrate, helps to restore lost electrolytes and helps provide vitamins and minerals to boost your energy again. Besides that, it tends to be soothing in every way.

Ginger Root

Ginger root is an excellent addition to our home remedies for food poisoning symptoms.

What to do:

• Boil 1 cup of water and add 2 Tbsp of grated or sliced ginger.
• Allow it to simmer for 10 minutes.
• Strain the tea into a cup, add lemon and honey, if desired, and sip every 3 to 4 hours.

How it works:Not only does ginger aid in relieving nausea and indigestion, but it is also a great help for digesting and getting the most out of the foods you eat when you’re finally able to eat again.

Chamomile

Chamomile is a great relaxing, nighttime drink to make you sleep better, but it is also an effective addition to our home remedies for food poisoning.

What to do:

• Chamomile tea is another must have in your home. You can make it from a tea bag following the package directions.
• You can also place 2 to 3 tsp dry chamomile flowers in a cup of hot water.
• Cover it and allow the flowers steep 10 minutes.
• Strain the tea and drink it every 3 to 4 hours.

How it works:Chamomile is a natural anti-inflammatory and also aids in relieving bloating, gas, indigestion, inflammation and pain.

Bentonite Clay

Bentonite clay is another of the great home remedies for food poisoning.

What to do:

• In an 8 oz. glass of water, add ½ tsp of calcium (not sodium) bentonite clay.
• Repeat a 2 to 3 times throughout the day.

How it works:Bentonite clay works similar to activated charcoal, helping prevent the stomach from absorbing the toxins and helping you recover more quickly.

Mashed potatoes

Who would have thought that such a great comfort food is also among the home remedies for food poisoning?

What to do:

• Prepare mashed potato flakes according to package directions.
• Make your own mashed potatoes from scratch. You can add in basil, garlic, or make them with chicken broth instead of water to make them even more effective.
• Consume the potatoes slowly until you start regaining your energy again.

How it works:Mashed potatoes, like bananas, are easy to digest. They’re also loaded with vitamin B6, which will help boost your energy, plus potassium and other minerals that can help quickly restore what you lost from vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Great Tip

Combining these ingredients won’t cause any harm; here is a recipe you can try at home.

Cumin Lemonade

Ingredients:

1 tsp spoon Cumin

25ml Lemon Juice

25ml Honey 

5 Cloves

Top with soda

Method:

Place the cumin and cloves into a cup and add hot water.

Then add the honey and lemon juice.

(Optional) Top up with soda if you want it sparkling, or still if you don’t.

A spin-off to the famous Hot Toddy cocktail recipe. If you want to add a kick to this drink, add 50ml of Whiskey!

One Last Thought

Be very careful with what you eat. Make sure to make and buy food from a trusted and safe establishment. It will cause you so much when you intake the wrong thing. We will never know when it’s good to eat or not, especially when it has an appetizing presentation. That is why make sure to make food in a clean area or buy it somewhere with a good reputation.

Food poisoning is uncomfortable and frightening when it is severe, in which case, you’ll find yourself in an ER. The majority of food poisoning cases can be treated at home using home remedies for food poisoning symptoms. Making use of any one or combination of remedies to get immediate relief and then others to restore what you lost from vomiting and diarrhea can get you back on your feet quickly.

Images from depositphotos.com and pixabay.com.