Diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pains… some say this is really two “bugs," others say that it's one that morphs into another. Most aren't concerned about those details; we just want to prepare (some might say prevent), remedy, and recover from what many believe is a virus that’s going around.
The following are some helpful tips from Phyllis D. Light, MA, primary faculty member, and my recent personal experiences (this is why Phyllis sadly didn't make it to IHS), and with family members and clients. This is not medical advice.
Phyllis teaches that, while no one wants to come down with these symptoms, when the body reacts with vomiting and diarrhea, it is a sign that the immune system is properly handling things and working to get the “bug” out of the system.
With that in mind, we do want to help the body fight things off swiftly and not become depleted. In the case of this stomach bug, we must take care that young children and the elderly do not become dehydrated. But, I’m getting ahead of myself.
Prepare or Prevent
This is covered at length in our Preparative Herbal Remedies class, but I will list a few things I think have been key to help me ward off getting any of this, so far.
Several weeks ago I was generally feeling off and decided to go back to acupuncture as well as being more diligent about other health practices that are always helpful for me, also based on some recent blood tests: taking my more potent vitamins more often, exercising more often but not to exhaustion, getting enough sleep and eliminating the foods that I know to be deleterious. In hindsight, I was battling some low-grade stuff; my acupuncturist could see it on my tongue as well. What do I think has been especially helpful? Fresh air, sunlight (vitamin D), jumping on the rebounder (Matt calls it a lympho-sizer in class), vitamin C, zinc, bee pollen, tulsi, and/or ashwagandha, and supporting my thyroid function with black walnut. I also made sure to eat only warmed, cooked foods. I think this has helped to be less vulnerable to the virus. Oh, and getting plenty of sleep!
On the note of warm foods...
Fire up the stove and start making, drinking, and eating that bone broth!
Whether you are trying to prevent or remedy this stomach bug, you can’t go wrong with good bone broth! It’s a great source of fluids and easy-to-digest protein.
Hydration
At one point, when my elderly in-laws were in the throes of it, we had a nurse come to the house and administer a vitamin-rich IV called a Myers’ Cocktail to help support the body and prevent severe dehydration. My husband and I did it a couple of days prior at the nurse’s office, as a preventative measure.
At one point, when my elderly in-laws were in the throes of it, we had a nurse come to the house and administer a vitamin-rich IV called a Myers’ Cocktail to help support the body and prevent severe dehydration. My husband and I did it a couple of days prior at the nurse’s office, as a preventative measure.
Phyllis says children can go into severe dehydration in as little as a couple of days. Watch for circles under the eyes and sunken eyes. Do not hesitate to take them to the pediatrician if you suspect dehydration!
Phyllis found for herself and her family that sour foods and herbs help to activate the stomach juices and to start to tolerate foods: sumach/echinacea decoction, water with lime juice, soups with tomato in the broth, and simple orange juice were helpful.
Similarly, at our place, we administered schisandra tincture in drop doses to help retain some fluids and support the body’s energy levels. Orange juice and yoghurt were more tolerable and easier to keep down than other foods. Onion and egg drop soup has been a favorite around here. I’ll share that very simple recipe in this blog and in the community in a few days.
Other ways to stay hydrated: electrolyte drinks (low to no sugar, I will share my favorites in the community), Phyllis suggests the WHO recipe for rehydration if it's an emergency, and best is always from nature: water with cucumber, lime or lemon, watermelon, and even baths and teas.
Herbal Remedies
Phyllis found the sumach and echinacea decoction to be a good overall remedy.
Matthew and Phyllis suggest homeopathic Ipecac or Nux Vomica to help alleviate symptoms as well.
To help keep a productive cough (if it progresses to this stage), Phyllis found the tincture of (in a 1 oz bottle) thyme and fenugreek seed (equal parts) with one drop of lobelia added. Take a minimum of 3 times per day to prevent constriction of the lungs and keep mucous from settling.
In our family, I’ve focused more on helping to support the body's energy levels and viral remedies with ashwagandha gummies and other vitamin/greens gummies and berberine, quinine, and elderberry syrup combos. This bug has lasted a long time for the elderly here, so I’ve rotated herbs, too.
Phyllis and I agree that it wasn’t or isn’t always about taking all the herbs and supplements that you can force down. Sometimes the body needs a break to do its own thing. Listen to that. For at least a couple of days, while they were in the thick of it, I did not insist that my in-laws take anything, except fluids.
When to be especially concerned
Most caregivers will be concerned as a general rule, but here are signs of when to be especially concerned:
- Dehydration: skin pinch test: pinch the skin on the back of the hand, and if it stays standing or slowly goes back to normal (especially in the elderly), be very concerned about dehydration
- Dehydration: sunken eyes and/or dark circles under eyes
- Wheezing (simply put your ear to the chest to check)
- That nagging feeling: If you feel something is very wrong, listen to that feeling and take action.
Recovery
Depending on your original condition, some may recover quicker than others. Monitoring and aiding recovery is as important as care during the illness, not only to feel better sooner, but to prevent a follow-up illness.
Keep supporting your body as mentioned prior. Don’t wear yourself down.
Now is the time to start taking herbs to help support the digestive system, as well as some anti-microbials. As Matthew and Phyllis have mentioned, it’s not uncommon for a bacterial infection to follow a viral one.
As an example—although this may not be the protocol for your case—Phyllis is following up for herself with:
- milk thistle, blessed thistle, dandelion, and betaine to aid the liver
- parasite cleanse and adding probiotics (a typical parasite cleanse helps with post-illness “stuff” too, it’s not necessarily for parasites)
- follow up with 5 days of oregano oil (help flush out) liver, and help with inflammation
Oh, and Phyllis says, “Eat more garlic!" I love mincing garlic and adding it to buttered sourdough bread. Once I cannot take another bite, I feel my body doesn't need it anymore.
What’s been working or helping you and your family or clients?
Go to the MWIH community for updates. Ask for links to any products or with questions in one central place.
Contact Phyllis via her website for a personal consultation.
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