Food Poisoning - AKA: The Double Dilemma

Constant Vomiting: If nothing will stay down, sucking on ice chips can help keep the patient hydrated. Be sure to avoid solid food until vomiting ceases (usually about 12 hours), instead slowly sip clear broths and soothing herbal teas.

Stomach Bugs and Food Poisoning: The most important thing to remember when there is full-on vomiting and/or diarrhea is to stay hydrated!! Once food will stay down, stick with bland choices that are easy to digest such as mashed ripe banana, crackers, dry toast, oatmeal with a touch of cinnamon or congee (recipe follows). Sometimes 2 Tbs. of Apple Cider Vinegar diluted in water can resolve issues of nausea and diarrhea, if not, try any of these useful tips.

Remedy #1:

If absolutely nothing can be taken orally, first apply olive oil generously to the umbilicus and the area surrounding it, and then place a thin slice of fresh ginger in the belly button. A thicker slice of ginger with small pinholes punched through it could serve to support a tiny ball of burning moxa (dried mugwort); please use caution! Conversely, apply 30-40 drops of Ginger essence directly over the stomach. (I can only recommend Wisdom of the Earth Essential Essences)

Remedy #2: “Tummy-Tamer Tea”

1 tsp. Dandelion root

1 tsp. Marshmallow root

1 tsp. Chamomile flowers

1 tsp. Peppermint leaf

1 tsp. Rosemary leaf

1 tsp. Fennel seed, crushed

1 tsp. Caraway seed, crushed

Combine all ingredients into a blend, and then infuse 1 tsp. of formula with 6 oz. boiling water for 15 minutes, covered. Sip tea slowly warm or cool. This formula may be adjusted to meet the patient’s specific needs. The Dandelion helps to increase fat digestion and stimulate bile production; Marshmallow root is demulcent to help sooth irritated stomach lining; Chamomile is comforting to an upset stomach and promotes rest; Peppermint cools and calms nausea; Rosemary dispels gas, is anti-viral and stimulates digestive fluids; Fennel helps increase digestion, especially of fats and also dispels gas; Caraway seed decreases gas and promotes digestion.

Remedy #3: Auriculotherapy Point ~ Ear Center

With a small blunt instrument, like a dull pencil, gently stimulate the nausea-reducing point located at the center of the ear. To find the point, look at the raised ridge of cartilage located just above the ear canal on the auricle; the ear center is directly in the middle of the part that separates the top portion of the ear from the lower portion (not the lobe). Once the point has been stimulated, a mustard seed affixed to a piece of band-aid can be placed at the site to keep the point stimulated. This usually reduces nausea within minutes.

Remedy #4: Rice Congee

1 Cup raw white or brown rice

5 Cups water or broth

½ inch piece of fresh ginger, grated

~ OR ~

½ tsp. ginger powder (preferred)

Rinse rice, place in pot and add water or broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for an hour. For the last 20 minutes of cooking time add ginger. Consistency will be like porridge; eat slowly in small portions until appetite is restored.

Lisl Meredith Huebner, Dipl.CH (NCCAOM), RH (AHG) is a nationally board certified Chinese Herbalist, and a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild. Lisl is also a certified Medicinal Aromatherapist, a level II Reiki practitioner, an Acupressurist, an Auriculotherapist, a photographer, a renowned diagnostician, a teacher and a published writer in private practice for over a decade. She is available by appointment. HerbaLisl.com

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