It’s hard to believe that sometimes consuming your favourite food might make you sick. That’s the last thing you will ever expect. Food poisoning occurs when you eat contaminated food.
Even when your favourite food is handled, stored, or cooked incorrectly, it might become contaminated.
Depending on the type of infection you might have, symptoms may appear within a few hours, days, or weeks post consumption and may include:
- Nausea
- Stomach cramping
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
Some foods are more likely to cause food poisoning than others, and some people are more susceptible to food poisoning than others.
Food poisoning home remedies can come in handy when you are suffering from food poisoning at home and not in the condition to visit a doctor immediately. Many of us would be wondering how to treat food poisoning at home? These home remedies for food poisoning can provide you relief.
10 Home Remedies for Food Poisoning
- Ginger is a natural home remedy that helps to cure food poisoning in humans. Ginger has tremendous medicinal and prophylactic significance and has been consumed for thousands of years in the treatment of diverse illnesses and diseases. Ginger has more specific functions in the body including digestion and assisting in the absorption and metabolism of other nutrients. Thus, it works as a quick remedy for intentional nausea and vomiting, which is effective in cases of food poisoning. Since ginger is one of the natural food poisoning remedies, prepare ginger tea by pouring a cup of water, adding one teaspoon of grated ginger and boiling for several minutes before adding sugar or honey.
- Lemon Consumption of lemon with other food items is
another natural remedy for food poisoning. Lemons’ anti-inflammatory,
antiviral, and antibacterial qualities can provide significant relief from food
poisonings – lemon acid aids in the killing of microorganisms that cause food
poisoning. Lemon juice and sugar; taking just one teaspoon of lemon juice with a
pinch of sugar is effective in treating food poisoning, the remedy should be
taken two to three times daily.
- Basil leaves are another good remedy to
onsider in case you’re searching for natural remedies on how to treat food
poisoning at home. Basil is one of those extraordinary leaves that has the
ability to cure a stomach ache caused due to food poisoning. It also has
antibacterial properties which make it effective in dealing with microbes and
any other form of germs. - Garlic Garlic is another common home treatment for foodborne illness. Garlic’s antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal qualities make it an excellent weapon against food poisoning. It also helps with symptoms like diarrhea and stomach ache caused by food poisoning.
- Cumin Seeds If you are suffering from food poisoning and looking for remedies at home, cumin seeds are here to help you. Cumin seeds, commonly known as Jeera, can help with stomach pain and inflammation caused by food poisoning. Try boiling one teaspoon of cumin seeds in one cup of water for immediate relief from food poisoning. 1 teaspoon coriander juice collected from fresh coriander leaves, plus a pinch of salt, can do wonders against this troublesome issue.
- Yogurt Yogurt is an effective home remedy when it comes to food poisoning. Yoghurt contains antibacterial and antimicrobial properties which assist in combating the microorganisms responsible for food poisoning within you. Yoghurt and fenugreek seeds are effective in the treatment of stomach pain. One teaspoon of fenugreek seeds and a spoonful of yoghurt are all you need. The seeds must be swallowed whole without being chewed. Fenugreek seeds with yoghurt have a synergistic action that provides instant relief from stomach discomfort and vomiting.
- Honey prevents food poisoning and the stomach ache and vomiting that comes with it. Honey contains antifungal and antibacterial qualities that can assist in alleviating indigestion and ease other signs of food poisoning. Honey may be taken in its natural state or dissolved in water to make tea for the treatment of various ailments. Honey can also be taken in order to treat an upset stomach; it is recommended to take a spoonful of honey in the morning, afternoon and evening.
- Apple Cider Vineger became quite surprising to learn that apple cider vinegar is an acidic product yet, it has an alkaline effect. Apple Cider Vinegar can help with a variety of symptoms associated with food poisoning. It has the ability to relax the stomach lining while also killing germs, providing immediate relief from food poisoning. Simply put two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a cup of hot water and drink it before eating your meal for a fast treatment against this condition.
- Probiotics These can help with the symptoms of food poisoning and ease your stomach. They help you calm down your stomach so that the pain, vomiting, and other issues you might be suffering are lowered down. However, it is very important to consult a doctor before going for probiotics.
- Banana Eating bananas also works amazingly if you are suffering from food poisoning. Diarrhea and dehydration happen when one is going through food poisoning, which results in a reduction of potassium levels in the body. Bananas are a perfect option as they replenish the levels of potassium in the body and help the body maintain bowel movements.
How to prevent food poisoning?
Follow proper hygiene while preparing and consuming food to avoid contamination with pathogenic organisms.
For instance:
- Clean
Germs can thrive on your hands and in various places in your kitchen, such as chopping boards, utensils, and kitchen counters. Washing your kitchen surfaces and hands prior to, while, and after preparing your foods can help prevent these germs. - Cook
Cook seafood, meat, poultry, and eggs at an appropriate temperature in order to kill bacteria. - Separate
Separate uncooked (raw) meat, seafood, poultry, and eggs from ready-to-eat meals. Try to use different chopping boards and store raw meat apart from other food items in your refrigerator and shopping cart. - Chill
Set the refrigerator below or at 40 °F. Refrigerate leftover foods within two hours of being cooked (or one hour if they have been exposed to temperatures exceeding 90 °F, such as in a hot vehicle). - Avoid consuming tainted water
When camping, hiking, or travelling to new geographical regions, make sure the water you consume is safe.
Conclusion
Getting treatment at the right time for food poisoning is critical, especially for those who are elderly or children, as they have weak immune systems which cannot properly fight back against the cause of the food poisoning.
Food contamination can happen at any time, whether it’s during preparation or storage. Raw foods, such as salads should be consumed with caution since bacteria are not eradicated if they are not cooked. The bacteria will be washed away from the veggies if they are cleaned before use. To avoid common illnesses, one should also wash their hands frequently, especially before eating and practice healthy cooking habits. If you feel that you are not getting any kind of relief from home remedies for food poisoning, you should immediately contact your doctor before it becomes a serious issue.
- Treatment for Food Poisoning. Diabetes.co.uk[Internet].
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/food-poisoning/treatment .Accessed April 17, 2023. - Food poisoning. National Health Service[Internet].
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/food-poisoning/ .Accessed April 18, 2023.” - Food Poisoning: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment. WebMD[Internet].
https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/remedies-for-food-poisoning .Accessed April 19, 2023. - Ayurvedic aspect of Bacteria and Bacterial Food Poisoning. International Journal Of
Pharmaceutical Sciences And Research[Internet].
https://ijpsr.com/bft-article/ayurvedic-aspect-of-bacteria-and-bacterial-food-poisoning/ .Accessed April 19, 2023.”
“5 How Is Food Poisoning Treated?. Health[Internet].
https://www.health.com/food-poisoning-treatment-7554497 .Accessed April 20, 2023.
Cure Food Poisoning at Home - FAQs
What are the signs and symptoms of food poisoning?
Food poisoning symptoms can include the following:
• Stomach cramps
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Fever
• Vomiting
These symptoms usually go away in a day or two, but depending on the organism that caused the food poisoning, they might last longer.
Can I consume honey from food poisoning?
Yes, honey can help reduce food poisoning since honey contains some bactericidal properties. It should, however, not be used as a substitute for medical treatment in case of an acute condition, and one should seek medical help immediately.
Is garlic good to consume in food poisoning?
Garlic is shown to have some anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties, which may help in preventing many infections, including food poisoning. If you are suffering from food poisoning, it is important that you stay hydrated and obtain medical attention if your symptoms are severe or last for a long period of time. Garlic can be used as a tasty and nutritious item in your diet; however, it should not be used as a substitute for medical treatment.
What should you do if you believe or feel you are suffering from a foodborne illness?
While some cases of bacterial or viral contamination of food lead to severe sickness, most of the common cases are harmless and can be treated at home. Electrolytes and water must be taken a lot during the recovery period so as to replace the lost fluids. You should, however, go to a doctor as soon as possible if:
- Suffer from bloody diarrhoea for more than 3 days and have a temperature of more than 102 °F (39 °C)
- Have vomiting
Does food poisoning cause dizziness?
Food poisoning may cause diarrhea, and one of the symptoms of diarrhea is dizziness due to dehydration. If you have dizziness, take more fluids and take an ORS for oral rehydration.