Finance
Food poisoning, also known as foodborne illness, occurs when we eat food that has been contaminated with bacteria. These microbes can contaminate food at any point along the processing chain, causing disease. Food poisoning is not always caused by contaminated food; it can also occur when food is handled or cooked incorrectly at home. Food poisoning symptoms might appear shortly after consuming contaminated food. It may resolve without treatment in moderate situations, which is common, but in extreme circumstances, a person may need to be admitted to the hospital.
What Causes Food Poisoning?
meal poisoning is most commonly encountered in big groups of people who have consumed the same contaminated meal. Individuals can be affected as well. Food poisoning is mostly caused by food contamination, which can be owing to:
- Improper handling of food, especially poultry and meat, through which microorganisms to enter our bodies if they are not killed thoroughly while cooking1.
- Consumption of eggs or meat that has been undercooked1.
- Contaminated water can also be the cause of it1.
- Unhygienic preparation of food by the use of unclean hands, utensils, cutting boards, etc1.
- Products that are kept out of the refrigerator for too long, especially foods with a tendency to get spoiled, like dairy products, food containing mayonnaise, etc1.
- Raw foods like fish or oysters, or raw vegetables that have not been washed well1.
- Untreated water can contain contaminants like bacteria, viruses, and parasites1.
Symptoms of Food Poisoning
Some of the most commonly experienced symptoms by people suffering from food poisoning are2, 5:
- Vomiting
- Cramps in the stomach
- Nausea
- Stomach upset
- Diarrhoea
- Fever
Home Remedies for Food Poisoning
Food poisoning symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the microorganisms we are infected with and our bodies’ particular defense systems2. Some home cures for food poisoning are as follows:
1. Oral Rehydration Solution
As vomiting is one of the common symptoms experienced, rehydration becomes very important2. Oral rehydration solution (ORS) can also be prepared at home by adding sugar and 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 into it. It is a refreshing liquid and seems to make one feel better after consuming it.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another popular home remedy being used for food poisoning. Add a few spoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and consume two to three times a day to reap its benefits.
4. Natural Oil
This is one of the more uncommon remedies used, but it is quite effective. Oregano oil or thyme oil, one of these two oils can be used. These oils seem to provide relief from the discomfort caused by food poisoning. To use it, we must add a few drops of the oil to water and consume it one to two times a day. How or why this works is not very clear.
5. Bananas
Bananas are extremely helpful in restoring lost electrolytes during diarrhoea. Therefore, it is used to treat food poisoning as well. Some people consume a banana by mixing it with curd, for better effects, but it can be consumed directly as well. It provides relief from symptoms, energises us, and replenishes lost salts.
6. Ginger
Ginger (adrak) has been used in ayurveda for centuries to relieve vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhoea. A basin is made using amlaki and black gram around the navel. To this, the juice of fresh ginger is added once daily and retained for some time, to treat diarrhoea. As a cure for vomiting, ginger juice must be mixed with lemon juice and consumed fresh3. 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.
7. 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, that is, if the pungent odour can be tolerated by you! It is said to be effective in the case of food poisoning.
8. Cumin or Jeera
To use jeera as a remedy for food poisoning, we can take a little bit of jeera in water and boil it. After it boils, we can add a little coriander juice and salt to taste. This liquid preparation can be consumed a few times a day safely.
9. Arishtaka
It is also known as Risht (in Hindi) or Indian soapnut, and it is used in ayurveda as a remedy for food poisoning. To use it, we need to soak a few of these aristhtaka seeds in a bottle of water and consume the water. This is said to reduce the poisoning3.
10. Other Remedies
The following remedies are also recommended for use for diarrhoea in Ayurveda:
- The fruit or rind of a pomegranate mixed with honey is to be used two to three times a day.
- Buttermilk mixed with a spoonful of either fried cumin powder, fruit of long pepper or dried ginger powder should be divided into equal parts and given at regular intervals.
- It is also known that the fruit rind of bael (Aegele marmalos) is useful for stomach-related problems.
Conclusion
Food poisoning is a common condition caused by eating food infected with bacteria; it can cause a lot of suffering. It can be rather disconcerting to experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. It depletes the body of essential water and minerals. As a result, home cures for food poisoning primarily focus on refilling our bodies and reducing suffering. Rest and good nourishment will allow you to rebuild your strength and eradicate disease-causing germs.
