Introduction: 

Food poisoning also called foodborne illness, 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 reach us and causes illness. Food poisoning is not necessarily caused by outside food, it can also occur when food is incorrectly handled or cooked at home too. The symptoms of food poisoning can begin 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 hospital admission too.¹ 

What Causes Food Poisoning? 

Most often food poisoning is seen in a large group of people who have all consumed the same, contaminated food. It can also occur in individuals. Food poisoning is mainly the result of contamination of food, which can occur due to: ¹ 

• Improper handling of food, especially poultry and meat, through which microorganisms enter our bodies, if they are not being killed thoroughly while cooking.¹ 
• Consumption of eggs or meat that has been undercooked.¹ 
• Contaminated water can also be the cause of it.¹ 
• Unhygienic preparation of food by use of unclean hands, utensils, cutting boards etc.¹ 
• 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, etc.¹ 
• Raw foods like fish or oysters, or raw vegetables that have not been washed well.¹ 
• Untreated water can contain contaminants like bacteria, viruses, and parasites.¹ 

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Symptoms of Food Poisoning: 

Some of the most commonly experienced symptoms by people suffering from food poisoning are: 

• Vomiting² 
• Cramps in the stomach² 
• Nausea² 
• Stomach upset² 
• Diarrhoea² 
• Fever² 

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Did you know that there are more than 250 known diseases that can be transmitted through food? Surprisingly, it is estimated that about 68% of all food-borne illnesses and related hospitalizations are caused by unknown or undiscovered agents. This highlights the importance of practising safe food handling and hygiene procedures to protect ourselves from potential food-borne illnesses.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD

Home Remedies for the Food Poisoning: 

Anybody can get affected by food poisoning, by consuming food of unknown origin. The symptoms can range from mild to very serious, depending on the type of microorganisms we get infected by and each body’s individual defence system.² A few home remedies for food poisoning are as follows: 

1. Oral Rehydration Solution:

As vomiting is one of the common symptoms experienced, rehydration becomes very important.² 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.³ 

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 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 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 in water and consume it one to two times a day. How or why this works is not very clear.  

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5. Bananas: 

Banana is extremely helpful in restoring the lost electrolytes during diarrhoea. Therefore, it is used to treat food poisoning as well. Some people consume 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. 

Based on my experience, once you can tolerate fluids without nausea or vomiting, it’s a good idea to start reintroducing plain, easily digestible foods in small portions. Foods like rice, wheat, whole-wheat breads, potatoes, low-sugar cereals, lean meats such as chicken (not fried) are gentle on the stomach and can be a good starting point. While milk is generally safe to consume, some individuals may experience stomach upset due to lactose intolerance.

Dr. Smita barode, BAMS

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6. Ginger:

Ginger (adrak) has been used in Ayurveda since 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 along with lemon juice and consumed fresh.⁴  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, 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 poisoning.⁴ 

10. Other remedies:

The following remedies are also recommended to use for diarrhoea in Ayurveda: 

• The fruit or rind of pomegranate mixed with honey is to be used two to three times a day.³ 
• Buttermilk mixed with a spoon of either fried cumin powder or fruit of long pepper or dried ginger powder should be divided into equal parts and given at regular intervals.³ 
• It is also known that the fruit rind of bael (Aegele marmalos) is also useful for stomach-related problems.³  

In my experience, if you have food poisoning and are feeling nauseous or vomiting, it’s important to avoid eating solid food. Instead, focus on staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. The best approach is to take small, frequent sips of clear liquids that you can see through, as this helps replenish your body’s fluid levels and steer clear of dehydration.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

When to Seek Medical Help:  

It is wise to visit your doctor or a local healthcare provider if the following symptoms are noticed: 

• When you notice blood in your loose stools (dysentery)² 
• When you have a high fever of over 102 F temperature, when measured in mouth.² 
• If you are unable to keep liquids down due to frequent vomiting and experience dehydration.² 
• If you feel dizzy while standing up, feel your throat or mouth drying up, and urinate little or not at all, you could be experiencing dehydration and should immediately seek medical attention.² 
• If your diarrhoea lasts for more than 3 days. ² 

Conclusion: 

Food poisoning is a common condition occurring as a result of eating food that has been contaminated by microorganisms; it can sure be the source of a lot of discomfort. It can be quite unsettling with symptoms nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever. It drains the body of vital water and minerals. Therefore, home remedies for food poisoning mainly consist of replenishing our body and relieving the distress. Rest and proper nutrition are what will help you regain your strength and eliminate the disease causing germs.   

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Frequently Asked Questions: 

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References: 

 1. MADDOCK EC. Food poisoning. Pharm J [Internet]. 1947;104(4344):87. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001652.htm 

2. Food Posisoning Symptoms [Internet]. CDC.gov. 2022 [cited 6 May 2022]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/symptoms.html 

3. Healthcare R. Management of Common Ailments Using Home Remedies 1. [Internet]. p. 1–12. Available from: https://vikaspedia.in/health/ayush/iec-material-for-frontline-workers/management-of-common-ailments-using-home-remedies 

4. AYUSH. Ayurveda Offering Herbal Healing [Internet]. 1–128 p. Available from: https://www.esic.nic.in/attachments/publicationfile/7d11b02e5abb4717d53b4ce05efabd21.pdf

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