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3 Steps to Fight the Stomach Flu

10/1/2013

4 Comments

 
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It's that time again.

Although it still feel like summer here in the South, the return of school and enclosed spaces has led to the return of coughs, colds, and the dreaded stomach bugs.  It didn't take long for the latter to find our house! 

Lack of sleep and loads of laundry aside, when your little one is feeling sick, you can feel so helpless.  Holding back hair, and murmuring comforting words just doesn't feel like enough sometimes.  So we do what we can, and hope it helps to ease some of our loves suffering. 

I have a few tricks up my sleeve that I pull out for these dreaded nights and the following days of recovery.  Hopefully you won't need them!  But just in case, here ya go:

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1. We start with Lavender.  When you or your little one is feeling nauseous, lavender is a great way to calm the stomach while at the same time disinfect the area.  I make a Lavender Spray, and spritz generously.  It also helps ease tension, worries, and assists in falling asleep.

Lavender Spray:

8 oz. Water
1 tsp. With Hazel
10-25 drops of Lavender Essential Oil

Mix thoroughly and place in a clean spray bottle.  Shake before each use.

2. Once the stomach has calmed a little we move onto teas.  It is important to use only clear liquids until vomiting has stopped for 6 hours.  Slippery Elm Bark and Chamomile work great. Slippery elm bark is very nutritive and soothing for the stomach and the esophagus.  Chamomile is an antispasmodic, that will calm and warm the stomach to relieve nausea.  Make a weak tea, and give in teaspoon doses.  Add honey to taste.  Feel free to add herbs like peppermint, catnip, ginger, cinnamon, and lemon balm according to taste preference.

3. Last but not least, comes the broth.  There are many kinds of clear broth out there on the market.  I recommend using a home-made vegetable broth, but if you don't have one on hand (which most of us don't when we most need it!), find a low-sodium healthy veggie broth.  You want to be able to dilute it if necessary.  Start slowly, to avoid overloading the stomach.  Below is a great broth recipe, from Mary Bove's Enclyclopedia of Natural Healing:

Potassium Broth:

1/2 inch outer peelings, including skins, of 3 potatoes
Bunch of fresh parsley, chopped
3 scrubbed, unpeeled carrots, cut into rounds
Handful of greens, chopped
2 medium onions, chopped
5 cloves of garlic, crushed
Other leafy greens & herbs desired
2 Quarts water

Wash and prepare veggies.  Simmer in water in large covered pot, 30-40 minutes. Strain.  Excess broth my be stored in refrigerator for up to 2 days.


We hope your family stays healthy and happy over the coming Fall and Winter months!  To help support you in this, we've put a large selection of our teas and tinctures on sale here. 

Work preventatively, and stay healthy!
Kristin


4 Comments
Martha S. Ginyard link
10/24/2013 08:21:44 pm

I am bookmarking this!

Reply
Kristin
10/24/2013 10:03:20 pm

Great Martha! Be sure to look for coming posts on healing sickness naturally.

Reply
Henry Andrews link
1/30/2021 11:01:08 am

This is great

Reply
Phytocopeia link
2/21/2022 07:49:52 pm

Good points!
In my opinion, certain herbal teas, such as ginger and peppermint, can help calm your stomach and alleviate nausea.

Reply



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    I am constantly amazed by the healing power of yoga and herbs. They inspire me to heal, to write, to teach, and to keep exploring. 

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