Natural Home Remedies for Food Poisoning

Introduction

Food poisoning, also called foodborne illness, occurs when we consume food that has been contaminated by microbes. These microorganisms can contaminate the food during any part of their processing journey till it reaches 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. 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 too⁴.

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 : 

• 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 are^{2, 5}: 

• Vomiting 
• Cramps in the stomach 
• Nausea
• Stomach upset 
• Diarrhoea 
• Fever 

Home Remedies for Food Poisoning

The symptoms of food poisoning can range from mild to very serious, depending on the type of microorganisms we get infected by and each body’s individual defense system². 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 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. 

Also Read: Everything You Need to Know About the Hepatitis A Vaccine

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 degrees F when measured in the mouth². 
• If you are unable to keep liquids down due to frequent vomiting and experience dehydration². 
• 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 attention². 
• If your diarrhoea lasts for more than 3 days².  

Also Read: Causes Behind Recurring Stomach Pain

Conclusion

Food poisoning is a common condition occurring as a result of eating food that has been contaminated by microorganisms; it can certainly be the source of a lot of discomfort. It can be quite unsettling with symptoms of 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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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

4. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Definition & facts of food poisoning. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. 2025 [cited 2025 May 14]. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/food-poisoning/definition-facts

5. Department of Health & Human Services. Food poisoning – prevention. Better Health Channel. [cited 2025 May 14]. Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/food-poisoning-prevention

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof

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