Food Poisoning is a common health problem which happens whenever you eat or drink something contaminated with harmful germs, for example bacteria, parasites or viruses. These unwelcome guests may enter your food through raw meats, unwashed fruits and vegetables, or contaminated water. Sometimes, even chemicals on food can cause Food Poisoning.
Whenever you consume these contaminated foods or beverages, your body attempts to rid you of these harmful toxins, triggering uncomfortable symptoms. Signs of Food Poisoning generally include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, gas and quite often headaches and fever. These symptoms might start within hours after consuming the contaminated food and usually last a day or two but could sometimes last longer.
Most people with Food Poisoning recover at home without special treatment by resting and staying hydrated. It’s important to drink plenty of fluids to make up for the lost material due to vomiting and diarrhoea. However, in more severe circumstances (such as in small kids, older individuals, pregnant women and individuals with weak immune systems) Food Poisoning could be much more serious and requires medical care.
To avoid the risk of Food Poisoning, it’s important to wash your hands and surfaces often, cook food to the proper temperature, and store food safely.
Food Poisoning can turn a good meal into a troublesome one quickly. Knowing the causes of this ailment can help avoid it and keep your stomach safe.
The most common causes of Food Poisoning are:
Bacteria: The most common culprits of Food Poisoning tend to be bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria. These bacteria might be present in improperly cooked meats, unpasteurised milk products, and uncooked vegetables. Cooking food thoroughly and washing fruits and vegetables can help prevent bacterial infections.
Viruses: Typical Food Poisoning viruses include Hepatitis and Norovirus A. These viruses may spread through contaminated food or water or when an infected person handles food without proper hygiene.
Parasites: Even though not as prevalent as viruses and bacteria, parasites like Giardia and Cryptosporidium are just as troublesome and can contaminate food and water. They are often associated with consuming undercooked meats and contaminated water.
Toxins & Chemicals: Some types of Food Poisoning result from toxins produced by bacteria in improperly stored foods, such as staphylococcal toxins in left-out dairy products or meats. Chemical contamination can also come from pesticides on unwashed fruits and vegetables or poisoned seafood.
Cross-Contamination: This happens when viruses and bacteria move from one food item to another. This is particularly common where raw foods come into contact with cooked foods or when kitchen utensils are not washed between food handling.
Food Poisoning appears in many ways, making you feel pretty miserable if you've eaten something contaminated. Recognising the signs and symptoms of Food Poisoning will enable you to act promptly, either to treat it at home or in order to seek medical help if the symptoms turn severe.
The most noticeable signs and symptoms of Food Poisoning are:
Diarrhoea is a common symptom, which can be mild or severe and may sometimes contain blood if the infection is intense.
This is how your body clears toxins from contaminated foods or drinks. Constant vomiting can cause dehydration, so it is important to keep hydrated.
A queasy feeling that often precedes vomiting, nausea can make the thought of eating unappealing and is a hallmark sign of Food Poisoning.
Sharp pains in your belly may signal your digestive system is fighting off the harmful invaders. These cramps might be mild or sometimes severe.
A mild to moderate fever can accompany Food Poisoning, a sign your body is fighting off the infection.
This can be because of dehydration from diarrhoea and vomiting or even as a part of inflammatory response of the body to the infection.
You may feel unusually tired or weak as your body tries to fight the infection.
Not feeling like eating is typical of nausea, stomach pain, and other associated symptoms.
Jiva Ayurveda offers holistic Ayurvedic treatment of Food Poisoning using evidence-based Ayurveda. The treatment plans are customised to target the very root causes of the disease, and instead of just treating symptoms, they focus on holistic healing, balance and stability in totality.
HACCP certified Ayurvedic medicines: Scientifically-made mixtures that help restore the body’s balance and promote emotional stability.
Yoga, Meditation & Mindfulness-Practices: These calming practices improve your mental health and overall wellness.
Ayurvedic Treatments: Therapies like Panchakarma and therapeutic massages detoxify the body and help maintain emotional balance.
Dietary & Lifestyle Guidance: Customised recommendations on how to change your eating habits and lifestyle for better health outcomes.
When Food Poisoning strikes your body, Ayurvedic medicines can bring much wanted natural relief. These traditional herbs address the imbalance of the body's three doshas and focus on cleansing toxins from the body to relieve symptoms and accelerate recovery.
The most effective Ayurvedic herbs used to treat Food Poisoning are:
Ginger: Used in Ayurveda as a potent remedy, ginger can reduce inflammation and calm the stomach. Boil fresh ginger slices in water to make a simple tea, which can ease nausea and digestive discomfort.
Cumin Seeds: Cumin promotes digestion and boosts immune response. Boil a teaspoon of cumin seeds in water and drink as a tea to treat bloating and stomach cramps.
Coriander Seeds: Coriander can help cool nausea and diarrhoea. Soak a tablespoonful of coriander seeds in warm water, then strain and consume the water the following day to settle your stomach.
Fennel Seeds: Like cumin, fennel helps with food digestion and relieves abdominal pain. Raw fennel seeds can be chewed or brewed into a hot tea to ease pain and improve digestion.
Turmeric: Turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties which could destroy the germs that result in Food Poisoning. Blend a teaspoon of turmeric powder in warm water or milk and drink once a day.
Amla: Amla or Indian gooseberry strengthens the digestive system and boosts immunity. Take amla juice or powder for better health and recovery from Food Poisoning.
Mint: Mint leaves can be used to treat Food Poisoning, as the antimicrobial properties of these leaves settle the stomach and aid digestion. Take mint tea or chew fresh mint leaves to relieve the symptoms of Food Poisoning.
Start by fasting to rest your digestive system, then add light foods such as rice porridge as your appetite returns.
Ayurvedic practitioners often determine the doshic imbalance caused by the contaminated food and suggest remedies to correct it.
Ayurveda suggests proper food combining, timely meals and digestive spices such as turmeric and ginger for improving gut health and to prevent contamination.
Daily practices include eating freshly cooked meals, avoiding leftover or stale food and drinking boiled water.
Yes, a few days on a diet of mung dal soup and rice can detox the system after exposure to foodborne pathogens.
Yes, but in milder forms. Ginger tea can be given in small doses and bland diets are recommended until symptoms pass.
Personal and kitchen hygiene, cooking food thoroughly and using immunity-boosting herbs are recommended to avoid this ailment.
Herbs like Kutaja and Mustarishta are often prescribed to aid recovery from Food Poisoning because of their digestive and astringent actions.
For chronic symptoms, Ayurveda suggests diet changes, herbal medicines and detoxification to strengthen the digestive system.
Panchakarma is advised in Ayurveda for severe Food Poisoning cases as it helps to cleanse the body and restore digestive balance.
A light diet with easily digestible foods such as khichdi (rice and lentils), cooked vegetables and herbal teas is suggested for the post-recovery phase.
