If you have ever struggled with the stomach flu, then you certainly know how upsetting and painful it can be. For that reason, it is important to take care of things swiftly when your child is the one having the condition. Giving children the proper medical treatment is essential, but if you want to speed up the recovery process, you could also try some soothing natural remedies.

Natural Stomach Bug Remedies

Fortunately, there are many natural stomach bug remedies for your child’s almost instant relief. Check the linked article for more than a dozen homemade remedies made from all-natural ingredients like lemon, apple cider vinegar, chamomile, probiotic yoghurt, bananas, and more.

In this article, we will discuss eight of the best stomach bug remedies and give you some ideas on how to make them more palatable for your little one. If he or she is struggling with symptoms such as cramps, diarrhoea, nausea, or vomiting, here is what you can use to alleviate some of the discomfort.

Proper Hydration

When your child is experiencing the unpleasant symptoms of a stomach bug, they will lose a large quantity of fluids through sweating, vomiting, and diarrhoea. To speed up the recovery process and diminish the distress, it is essential to ensure that they stay properly hydrated. For this, the obvious choice is drinking plenty of water.

Avoid water that is either too hot or too cold, as it can upset the digestive system even more. Give your son or daughter only water at room temperature and encourage them to drink taking small sips only so that the fluids stay down. And for a quick boost, an electrolyte drink such as Pedialyte is an excellent choice for any age.

Avoid offering them sports drinks such as Gatorade, which are better suited for adult consumption. In addition, don’t fall into the classic ice chip trap. While sucking on ice chips is certainly recommended for stomach flu rehydration, it is an unfit practice for small children because the bits represent a choking hazard.

Chamomile Tea

Herbal teas are another great way to keep your child hydrated while they are recovering from the stomach flu. One of the best choices is represented by chamomile tea, a well-known antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory drink. Not only does it replenish the body, but it also soothes digestive turmoil.

To prepare the tea, pour boiling water over dried chamomile, cover the cup, and let the plant infuse for 10 minutes. Then, stir in a dash of honey to boost the calming properties, and ensure that your son or daughter drinks three to four cups per day. This will relieve some of the cramping and aching, making the healing process more bearable.

Ginger Tea

Ginger is known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its beneficial effects on the immune system. This makes it an excellent remedy for gastrointestinal upset. Thus, if your little one’s stomach has been grumbling and churning, try serving them fresh ginger tea to alleviate the discomfort.

Add one tablespoon of grated ginger to a cup of boiling water while it still on the stove. Set the heat on low, then let the drink simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove it from the pot and strain to remove any chunks. While the tea cools, add a drizzle of honey to enhance the taste so that it can be stomached easily.

Peppermint Tea

The final herb tea you can try preparing for your child to alleviate the cramps caused by a stomach bug is unsweetened peppermint tea. This natural ingredient has amazing antispasmodic benefits, dissipating intestinal gas and, reduces bloating. It is also good for nausea relief, which is a huge plus in this situation.

The BRAT Diet

Restocking the body with the nutrients that it needs to heal itself and thrive is also an important part of the stomach flu recovery process. For this reason, it is important to ensure that your little one eats at regular intervals and consumes foods that are foods that are nourishing and easy to keep down. Bland meals are the ideal choice for this stage of the treatment.

The best meal plan to follow in this situation is the BRAT diet. The initials stand for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, which are all light and almost tasteless foods that are also binding. They are also easy to digest while fueling the body with energy with the help of carbohydrates. Bananas are also an excellent source of potassium, which strengthens the stomach’s lining.

Lemon Juice

Lemons contain plenty of vitamin C, which cleanses the stomach from harmful bacteria and alleviates some of the nausea and discomfort. To make it more palatable, pour a couple of tablespoons into a glass of warm or room-temperature water, and add a bit of honey in for some sweetness. Don’t make it too sweet though, as this can cause further discomfort.

Apple Cider Vinegar

When it comes to natural remedies for stomach bugs and the unpleasant symptoms they cause, the discussion wouldn’t be complete without apple cider vinegar. Due to its high pectin contents, it prevents vomiting, reduces gas, and calms some of the pain and discomfort caused by the condition.

What is more, apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial properties that help your body flush out the foreign organism causing the issue. Mix it with warm water and honey so that it is easier to ingest. Otherwise, your little picky eater might frown and fuss all day, and still refuse to take the medicine altogether.

Crackers and Pretzels

When your kid is struggling with the stomach flu, eating proper meals will be impossible at first. So, it is essential to supply him or her with bland and salty snacks to ease the discomfort and help the body retain hydration. Crackers and pretzels are the ideal choices here but steer clear of varieties that are flavored, as they can cause further gastrointestinal distress.

The Bottom Line

When your child is experiencing any of the distressing symptoms of the stomach flu, alleviating their discomfort is as important as administering the proper medication prescribed by a doctor. Any of the eight aforementioned natural remedies work wonders in this situation, so give them a go anytime your son or daughter needs the extra assistance.

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About the Author

Mike Jones is a Boston-based health and beauty writer for Sound Body Life, who encourages everyone to embrace the healing power of nature for common and not life-threatening diseases. You can follow him on Twitter @mike_jones35.

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