So, I didn’t get a chance to post yesterday, or to do much else for that matter. In fact, I spent most of the day getting a very close view of just how badly the inside of the toilet needed to be cleaned.
After a lovely date with my husband on Wednesday night, I started to have a weird feeling in my stomach. I drank some Apple Cider Vinegar, which is my normal remedy for any kind of tummy troubles and the feeling went away… until 3 a.m.
At 3 a.m., I was awoken by that feeling of needing to vomit but not being able to. I spent the next few hours with horribly cramping stomach aches and awful nausea. Then the vomiting hit… and did it ever!
I’ll spare you the rest of the details, but basically, I couldn’t keep anything down, including water, for the next 8 hours and I had really bad stomach cramps, dizziness, chills, etc. In fact, I had every symptom under the definition of “Food Poisoning” on WebMD.
At some point Thursday afternoon when I was debating going to the hospital to get an IV so I would have some fluids to be able to nurse the baby, I remembered the vinegar and how it had helped for a few hours. I also remembered something I learned in a class long ago about activated charcoal being a fast remedy for food poisoning.
Figuring I had nothing to lose because I’d be heading to the hospital anyway if I couldn’t stop vomiting, I started slowly sipping a mixture of equal parts Apple Cider Vinegar and Water and chasing with 1/2 tsp activated charcoal mixed into applesauce.
Yes, it tasted awful. Vinegar was pretty much the last thing I wanted at that point and the charcoal in the applesauce looked like tar, but within a few minutes, I actually started to feel a lot better. (Apparently, this is a common remedy that works really well, according to this forum thread).
I took a few more doses of each, probably about 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar total and a few teaspoons of activated charcoal. I was still really tired that night and sore from the vomiting, but was back to normal the next day. From what I’ve read of food poisoning, it can last days or weeks, so I’m very grateful that the Vinegar and Charcoal worked.
I share this so that hopefully any of you who ever get food poisoning can do without the 8 hours of vomiting and just take these two right away. I will definitely be keeping both on hand at all times!
What I did:
– At first signs of symptoms, took equal parts water (or juice) and apple cider vinegar (organic, with the mother!)
-In water or some kind of soft food, took 1/2 tsp or more of activated charcoal (or capsules if you can swallow them)
-Repeat until my symptoms stop.
Ever had food poisoning? How did you recover?
Crock-Pot Cheesecake Recipe
Giving this a try! I ate some raw asparagus this afternoon from the public market and forgot to wash it! I feel like such a dummy, but I know that is what is causing my symptoms. I hope it works! Just did my glass of water/Braggs apple cider vinegar with 2 activated charcoal capsules. Glad I already had both on hand!
For tummy aches I usually just do a small glass of water with a tsp of baking soda and a squeeze of lemon juice. My kids love It And it seems to do the trick. Thanks!
I just tried this remedy tonight after eating chicken earlier today. I woke up with strong symptoms and remembered this post. I’m already feeling better– thank you!!
Quick question: any thoughts on brushing my teeth with the activated charcoal powder to restore the ph balance in my mouth right after a bout of food poisoning?
I don’t know about the PH, but your teeth will be nice and white! (I use it bi-weekly)
Activated charcoal is not absorbed by the body so should be perfectly safe for pregnancy or nursing. All it does is adsorb (that’s right not absorb but adsorb) the poison and carry it out of the body. In a pinch regular charcoal will work too, it just has less surface area so is not as efficient. But be sure to use food grade charcoal (with nothing added).
Good to know! I had some shrimp pasta that sat out to long and I can feel it coming! Sending hubby to the store to get some charcoal powder and apple cider vinagar!!
Chamomile tea is an old remedy for vomiting and upset stomach/intestines, and very soothing, too. Will also help you to a restful sleep after a bout of vomiting. Don’t take if allergic to flowers.
Here’s a link to the safety of herbs during pregnancy https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14744504
Carolyn
I wish I knew this on the 4th of July weekend. was down for 5 days
My mom is sooo sick thanks for the info! i hope this works
Is activated charcoal safe to use while pregnant? (not as a regular supplement, but just for acute needs)
Thanks!
I’d ask a doc before taking anything while pregnant, but I do know of cases where it was used in hospitals for acute problems and I personally would take it if needed…
Can it be taken while breastfeeding?
When a family member had chronic diarrhea — which may or may not have been due to food poisoning — I searched for quite a while for a natural remedy to recommend that would work. The coconut cookies many people recommended did not help, but I finally found one obscure post that recommended turmeric tea. You make it with a teaspoon or so of turmeric powder mixed into a glass of warm water, and drink it. That really did the trick; the symptoms improved and then completely went away after a few doses!
Is it safe to have the activated charcoal when you are breastfeeding? that is my concern right now. Stomach cramping for 4 whole days now and I remembered the charcoal thing, but wasnt’ sure it would go to my breastmilk.