Food poisoning is common among children and occurs when they consume food or drink (water)  contaminated with germs, toxins and chemicals. This usually causes diarrhoea, accompanied by nausea. Read on to know more on how to tackle food poisoning in kids.

Symptoms

Food poisoning is identified by these symptoms:

• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Blood or mucus in stool
• Cramps
• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Headache

Causes

Children can contract food poisoning for these reasons:

• Eating food cooked in unhygienic conditions
• Eating food cooked with dirty hands
• Cooking in unclean vessels
• Eating undercooked food
• Eating or drinking unpasteurized cheese or milk

Home Remedies for Food Poisoning in Children

There are also several ways of treating them at home safely and completely. Here are 15 top home remedies for kids suffering with food poisoning:

1. Rock salt and lemon juice

Add½ tsp of rock salt and 2 tsp lemon juice to a glass of warm water. Let your child drink this liquid three times a day to get rid of food poisoning.

Read More: Health Benefits of Lemon Water for Children

2. Peppermint leaves

Crush 6-8 peppermint leaves and make a paste of it with water. Press this paste on a sieve and extract its juice. Add the juice to a cup of warm water. Mix it well and give it to the child twice a day.

Read More: 11 Must Know Benefits of Peppermint Oil for Kids

3. Apples

Apples are known to produce enzymes that can prevent the growth of gut bacteria and give quick relief from diarrhea and stomach ache.

Read More: Health Benefits of Apple for Babies

4. Tulsi Leaves

The medicinal properties of tulsi leaves is well-known. Children can also chew tulsi leaves by chewing its leaves when mixed with cardamom. For your child, you can also extract the juice of tulsi leaves to get one teaspoon of juice. Mix this with cardamom powder and a little clove powder and let your child drink it immediately. This will prevent him from vomiting any further.

5. Water

When your child suffers with food poisoning, he will lose body salts which can be renewed by drinking lots of water. So, give your child a lot of water at frequent intervals during the day. Drinking water will also help flush out any toxins and bacteria from the stomach. This, in turn, will help the child recover from food poisoning bouts.

6. Bananas

The rich potassium content of bananas has a positive impact on the child’s stomach as it helps lower inflammation levels and therefore reduce the overall levels of food poisoning. Mash a banana and an apple and let your child eat it to reduce the ill-effects of food poisoning.

Read More: Health benefits of Banana

7. Cumin Seeds

A bowl of soup with cumin seeds will help reduce stomach inflammation and cramps. You can also give him a cup of hot water and cumin seeds. You can also make a drink of cumin seeds, asafoetida and salt let your child drink it a few times a day to cleanse his system.

Read More: Health Benefits of Cumin for Kids

8. Charcoal powder

Activated charcoal powder mixed with a glass of water can help get rid of food poisoning symptoms.

Read More: Activated Charcoal While Breastfeeding

9. Yogurt

By eating natural yogurt with probiotics, his stomach will get a chance to rebuild healthy bacteria in his stomach.

Read More: Health Benefits of Yogurt for Babies

10. Apple Cider Vinegar

For instance relief, apple cider vinegar helps ease the symptoms of food poisoning due to its alkalinity. A cup of warm water with one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar before a meal can help kill bacteria and get rid of indigestion.

Read More: 5 Homemade Apple Puree Recipes for Infants!

11. Fruit juice

The juice of any fruit when added to a little honey and a pinch of salt can bring back the body’s electrolytes that are lost in bouts of diarrhea.

Read More: 21 Summer Fruits For Your Kids

12. Cloves

Your child can get rid of nausea by placing a clove between his teeth.

Read More: Health Benefits of Clove Oil for Kids

13. Lemon

Lemon is antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory in nature, so it can kill the bacteria that cause food poisoning. Add a little sugar to a teaspoon of lemon juice and let your child drink this twice a day.

Read More: Health Benefits of Lemon Balm for Children

14. Honey

Honey’s antibacterial and anti fungal properties help treat symptoms of food poisoning and indigestion. To treat food poisoning in children, honey can be taken in its raw form or when added to tea.

Read More: Health Benefits of Honey for Toddlers and Children

15. Re-hydration Mix

Making a re-hydration mix of sugar, salt and lemon juice in a liter of boiled water can help restore the necessary electrolytes the body needs.

Conclusion

For parents, children suffering from food poisoning can be a terrifying time. However, the good news is that there are so many cures in your kitchen waiting to be used comfortably and conveniently. So, why not try them?