There are some studies in which are said that the norovirus infection can cause sudden onset of severe vomiting and diarrhea. This virus is highly contagious and it is commonly spread through water or food which is contaminated during preparation or contaminated surfaces. Also, you can be infected by the norovirus through a close contact with an infected person. Vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea typically begin 12 – 48hours after you have been exposed to norovirus.
The symptoms of this virus usually last 1 – 3 days and most people recover from it without treatment. For some people, especially infants, older adults and people who have underlying disease, diarrhea and vomiting can be severely dehydrating and they need medical attention. This infection is happening most commonly in closed and crowded environments, such as cruise ships, schools, child care centers, nursing homes and hospitals.
The signs and symptoms of norovirus infection are including muscle pain; low – grade fever; malaise; water or loose diarrhea; abdominal pain or cramps; vomiting and nausea. Your doctor will give you the right treatment which depends on your symptoms. If you have noticed that the diarrhea does not go away in a period of several days, then you should seek medical attention. You need to talk with your doctor if you suffer from norovirus before you start using some of the below mentioned home remedies for this condition.
Home remedies for norovirus
Slippery elm: This home remedy has calming effects to the liner of the belly. It supplies food the good bacteria inside your body and it can be used for children who have diarrhea [1]. This is incredibly nutritive herb which is extremely valuable when recovering from norovirus.
Peppermint: This home remedy can help to ease the nausea and vomiting and it will help you to cut the spasmodic pain [2]. When peppermint is grown organically, then it is rich in magnesium and potassium which are minerals needed to activate digestive enzymes and balance your pH levels. This home remedy can be used as a replacement home remedy for chamomile for children who may are not used to the flavor of chamomile but they have used the peppermint.
Ginger: This home remedy can help to alleviate spasms and it can cause any anti – inflammatory activity which happens inside of your stomach. This home remedy can help to reduce the vomiting and it allays nausea. This home remedy is effective against many parasites and this is a reason why it is eaten with uncooked fish. [3]
Elecampane: This home remedy is used for coughs, consumption and other pulmonary problems, like bronchitis. This home remedy has been used for many years with good results for chest affections, such as bronchitis and lungs asthma. It can give you a relief from respiratory difficulties and it clears out mucus. You can start using this home remedy when you have a congestion feeling in your lungs which is a flu symptom. You can use it as your home remedy for norovirus.
Fennel: If the first acute phase of norovirus (vomit and diarrhea) has passed, then you should apply fennel herb. It has soft heating properties which can help to alleviate cramping and nausea and they can guide the digestion of meals when you re-introduce them to your body. [4]
Echinacea: This home remedy has antiseptic and anti – microbial properties which can reduce your inflammation and also, they will eliminate toxins from your body.
Don’t share: You should not share personal products with your spouse, child, roommate or friend because in this way you will get sick easily or you can spread this virus to other people. Also, when share the remote control for TV, then it can be bad for you. If the affected person uses the remote control and he or she has virus on his/her hands, then you can get the virus easily. You can touch your eyes, nose or mouth without realizing it and you will infect yourself.
Elderberry: This home remedy disarms the virus and it inhibits its activity. It will keep you save from invading viruses. At the same time, this natural cure can fight off against mutations and this is shown with success. You can get elderberry before you get sick because it can help you to stay in a good health. [4]
Colloidal silver: This is anti – viral home remedy. You can absorb this home remedy under your tongue or you can drink it to boost your immune system [5]. You should buy it from confirmed sources. You should not take this home remedy in large amounts and for not long period of time (months to years). It is known that the colloidal silver can turn your skin Smurf blue permanently. You should not let this part to scare you. You should know that the properly made colloidal silver is a powerful anti – viral substance and also it has anti – bacterial and anti – fungal properties.
Eat whole foods: You should eat whole foods because in this way you will ensure your immune system that it is strong. You should eat natural and unprocessed diet.
Stay away: You should stay away from the affected person because this can help you to prevent from getting it. You should sleep in a different room, use a different bathroom and you should keep as much distance as possible so in this way you will avoid the norovirus illness around your house.
Relax: You should relax as much as possible. If you are constantly worrying or if you feel guilty about what you should or could is adding stress to your system which is enough overwhelmed.
Angelica: This is one of the best home remedies for rheumatism; diseases of the urinary organs; colic; pleurisy; coughs and colds. It is expectorant in nature which means that it can help you to clear the mucus out of your lungs and airways. This home remedy can help you to stop coughing. [6]
Drink enough water: You should drink enough water so in this way you will stay away from the dehydration. Hydration is playing an important role in the health of our bodies. If you have water deficiency, then it can easily lead to severe diseases. Water can help you to ease the symptoms of norovirus by improving the function of your immune system. You should drink at least eight tall glasses of water on daily basis. If you go out, then you should take a bottle of water with you because in this way you will stay hydrated all the time.
Do laundry: You should wash your towels, bed linens, clothes and anything else which has come in contact with you while you were sick. You should wash them in hot water and dry in the dryer so in this way you will ensure that they are clean as possible.
Wash your hands: You need to wash your hands frequently and correctly. Also, you can use hand sanitizer but it is not very effective for killing the norovirus. This is a reason why you should wash your hands with soap and water. You should wash your hands thoroughly for at least twenty seconds.
The BRAT diet: If you are infected by norovirus infection, then the first thing which you should do is to take BRAT diet. BRAT means: B – banana, R – rice, A – apple sauce and T – toast. It has been proven that this diet is working effectively for people who have health tissue, including tender stomach. When you are eating BRAT diet in a period of few weeks, then you will notice significant relief for your stomach. This diet can help a lot to people who suffer from norovirus infection. If you do not follow the nutritional basics, then the norovirus can easily happen again. If you want to ease the symptoms of norovirus and have healthy stomach, then you should keep this diet as long as possible. [7]
Lobelia: This home remedy has many properties, such as nervine, emetic, expectorant, anti – spasmodic and anti – asthmatic properties. This is one of the most useful systemic relaxants which we can easily find it. This home remedy has a general depressant action on the central and autonomic nervous systems and on the neuro – muscular action. This home remedy can be used in many conditions in a combination with other herbs so it will increase their effectiveness. You can use it as your home remedy for norovirus but talk with your doctor for the correct dosage. [8]
Good hygiene: You should bath on a regular basis because this can help you in the treatment of norovirus. You will notice that the good hygiene will stop the norovirus illness soon. Also, this will keep other people who live with you safe from catching norovirus. This is one of the most important things which you should do on daily basis if you suffer from norovirus.
References:
[1] Watts CR, Rousseau B. Slippery elm, its biochemistry, and use as a complementary and alternative treatment for laryngeal irritation. Journal of Investigational Biochemistry. 2012;1(1):17-23.
[2] Chumpitazi BP, Kearns G, Shulman RJ. Review article: The physiologic effects and safety of peppermint oil and its efficacy in irritable bowel syndrome and other functional disorders. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2018;47(6):738–52.
[3] Ozgoli G, Goli M, Moattar F. Comparison of effects of ginger, mefenamic acid, and ibuprofen on pain in women with primary dysmenorrhea. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2009;15(2):129-32.
[4] University of Sydney. Elderberry compounds could help minimize flu symptoms, study suggests. Science Daily. 2019.
[5] Franco-Molina MA, Mendoza-Gamboa E, Zarate-Triviño DG, et al. In vitro evaluation of colloidal silver on immune function: Antilymphoproliferative activity. Journal of Nanomaterials. 2016.
[6] Bhat ZA, Kumar D, Shah MY. Angelica archangelica Linn. is an angel on earth for the treatment of diseases. International Journal of Nutrition, Pharmacology, Neurological Diseases. 2011;1(1):36-50.
[7] Olsen N. What to know about the BRAT diet. Medical News Today. 2020. Retrieved from www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318255
[8] Joshi S, Mishra D, Bisht G, Khetwal KS. Essential oil composition and antimicrobial activity of Lobelia pyramidalis Wall. EXCLI Journal. 2011;10:274-9.
