Food poisoning occurs when we consume food that has been contaminated either by microbes. These microorganisms can contaminate the food during any part of their processing journey till it reaches us and cause illness.
Asides from outside food, food poisoning can also occur when food is incorrectly handled or cooked at home too. The symptoms of food poisoning happen within a few hours of eating contaminated food. It may resolve without any treatment as well in mild cases, which is often the case, but sometimes in severe cases, a person might require going to the hospital.
Food poisoning is a result of the following:
- Improper handling of food, especially poultry and meat, through which microorganisms enter our bodies, if they are not being killed thoroughly while cooking.
- Consumption of eggs or meat that have been undercooked.
- Contaminated water can also be the cause of it.
- Unhygienic preparation of food by use of unclean hands, utensils, cutting boards etc.
- Products that are kept out of the refrigerator for too long, especially foods with a tendency for getting spoiled like dairy products, food containing mayonnaise etc.
- Raw foods like fish or oysters, or raw vegetables that have not been washed well.
- Untreated water, which can contain contaminants like bacteria, viruses and parasites.
Some symptoms of food poisoning include vomiting, stomach cramps, vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhoea and fever. Here are 6 effective home remedies to treat food poisoning:
1. Oral Rehydration Solution
Oral rehydration solution (ORS) can also be prepared at home by adding sugar, and Ora;salt, to a bottle of clean drinking water as per WHO guidelines. This homemade electrolyte-rich solution should be sipped every few minutes and should be used up within a day. Adding a pinch of cinnamon to coconut water and consuming it is also helpful for vomiting.
2. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice can be consumed by people when they experience food poisoning. It can be consumed by taking one glass of drinking water and squeezing half a lemon in it. It is a refreshing liquid that makes one feel better after consuming it.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another popular home remedy used for food poisoning. Add a few spoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and consume it two to three times daily for reaping its benefits.
4. Bananas
Banana is extremely helpful in restoring lost electrolytes during diarrhoea. Therefore, it is used to treat food poisoning as well. Some people consume bananas by mixing them with curd, for better effects, but they can be consumed directly as well. It provides relief from symptoms, energises us and replenishes lost salts.
5. Ginger
Ginger is used to relieving vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhoea. The juice of ginger is added once daily and retained for some time, to treat diarrhoea. As a cure for vomiting, ginger juice must be mixed along with lemon juice and consumed fresh. We can mix ginger (juice) in warm water and add honey to it as well. These home remedies are not just safe and natural, but also very tasty.
6. Garlic
Swallowing fresh cloves of garlic with water is said to have beneficial effects on our bodies as garlic acts like a cleansing agent. If consumed in a juice form, garlic is said to be even more effective. Garlic is said to be effective in the case of food poisoning.