Let’s talk about how to Stop the Stomach Flu in Its Tracks: Home Remedies that Work.
First, some typical background story:
You’re sleeping peacefully in bed, then you hear the first, “Mommy!”
You give your child a chance to go back to sleep, but then you hear the second, “Mommy!”—this one just as pitiful as the first.
Maybe you “accidentally” kick your husband in hopes that he’ll wake up enough and decide to respond to a potentially distressed child. After all, the bed is so cozy. But you’re not one hundred percent convinced yet that your child is fully awake themselves and in true need of help.
Then you hear four dreaded words, that you never want to hear in the middle of the night.
“Mommy my tummy hurts!”
Suddenly with the speed of Superman, and not the half-asleep humanoid you are, you spring into action, jump over the dog, the basket of clothes, and into your child’s room just in time to see…Well you know what you see. I’ll spare you the description.
Stop the Stomach Flu: When the Stomach Flu Strikes
About 6 months ago we had a stomach flu sweep through our family. You know the type: one child wakes up during the middle of the night and suddenly everyone is laying on various pieces of furniture for 48 hours with buckets, blankets, and ice chips. And mom and dad spend the same 48 hours between the bathroom themselves, trying to keep shared surfaces clean, and running to the store to buy Gatorade, all while wishing they could just curl up in a little corner and cry. (Tell me it’s not just me.)
I hate the stomach flu. I mean seriously hate it (not that anyone loves it). As far as maladies go, it’s probably my least favorite, especially since half of my family isn’t really old enough to make it to the toilet every time they get sick.
And we all know that almost no amount of Lysol, hand sanitizer, and scrubbing will prevent it from picking off family members one by one until all have succumb to it’s disgusting symptoms.
After that particular bout of the stomach flu, I decided this mom was going to fight back the next time the devious little germs made their appearance in our home. I was determined to stop the stomach flu in our home. I would be ready with a game plan to shorten our family’s sufferings and hopefully prevent it from spreading to every last one of us.
Fighting the Stomach Flu with Natural Remedies
In my research, I came across two particular remedies that stood out in our family’s quest to stop the stomach flu.
1. Use an immune blend oil to support the body’s own defenses.
2. The other remedy is using activated charcoal to shorten and lessen the symptoms.
The activated charcoal works to stop the vomiting and adsorb (bind to and hold onto) whatever bug is causing the sickness until it makes it’s way out of the body. The immune blend oil helps to support the body’s immune system.
We use 2-3 capsules of activated charcoal for adults, and 1 capsule for children.
I read story after story of moms who had used these remedies to combat the stomach flu, and I simply couldn’t believe how effective they seemed to be, until I got the chance to try them in my own family 2 months ago.
I can’t say I was excited that the stomach flu was striking our house, but what happened next was amazing. Between proper doses of activated charcoal and, the immune blend oil it was the MILDEST case of the stomach flu my family ever had.
I kept everyone up on their doses of activated charcoal, and kept rubbing the oil on everyone’s feet for a week. I also diffused it. I wouldn’t have believed it was actually the stomach flu that hit our house.
Next time my family starts showing signs of the seasonal issues, I will definitely be using activated charcoal and my immune blend oil. It worked that well. It’s so important for me to find solutions and home remedies to stop seasonal issues in our house.
**Please use your best judgement and consult a doctor when using any natural remedies. Especially when using activated charcoal do not overdose your children. I am not stating a dose here because recommendations vary wildly and your children’s health is unique to them. Some doctors don’t like giving children activated charcoal at all. Also keep your kids hydrated and make sure they are having bowel movements after the flu has ended. Remember the illness you think might be the stomach flu could be something else entirely, when in doubt contact a physician.
What remedies do you use to stop stomach flu? Have you come across anything that will stop it in it’s tracks?
More posts for insight on how to stop the Stomach Flu:
- DIY Immune-Boosting Herbal Tea
- Immune Supporting Essential Oil Blend Recipe
- DIY Immune Bomb Recipe (plus 5 immune system recipes)
- Good Night Herbal Tea Blend
Free Download: Mom’s Essential Oil Cheat Sheet
Would you like a resource to help you learn to use essential oils with your family? Download this free 3-page printable:
- Basic guidelines for using essential oils around kids
- A list of safe, kid-friendly oils essential oils
- Helpful essential oil recipes
Click the link or image below to download the 3-page Mom’s Essential Oil Cheat Sheet. I’ll follow it up with more resources and free printables to help you on your essential oil journey. Grab your copy now!
*FDA disclaimer: “These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.”
This maybe a silly question but, how did you make thieves oil?
I can’t technically call it “thieves oil” but it’s an immune boosting blend that contains all the same ingredients. Here’s a link to a video I made describing it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6ozySYoy2o
Drinking water with apple cider vinegar. This can be a preventative for the other kids before they start feeling bad. Otherwise, it’s kinda hard to get them to drink it if they’re already nauseous 🙂
I have found nascent iodine in a small amount of water to stop the stomach flu. I also throw in a few capsules of Dr. Ohira’s probiotics for them to chew. If there is diarrhea I add some turmeric.
Hi Judy. How much nascent iodine do you put and how often? Would it be safe for kids? Thx!
Is the activated charcoal good for any age of child – even a toddler? And would it be safe for a pregnant or nursing mother? Just curious!! I hate the flu with a passion and want to avoid it this winter if at all possible…but with 5 young kids, the chances are slim! 😉
Use your best judgement and research, but I used it on my kids under 5 and while pregnant.
Just today I was reading about the many benefits of activated charcoal, so I bought some to have on hand. Now after reading this article, I have one more thing to add to the list of benefits! This is God’s perfect timing!
How awesome is that! 🙂
Where do you get your activated charcoal from and what form is it in? Also how do you give it to small kids? Mine are 9,7,5,4 and 2. Does the dosage change depending on age? Sorry lots of questions! I HATE the stomach flu too and I’ve never used activated charcoal but love my thieves!!
I buy it at my health food store. I would research the dosage and base it on your comfort level.
How much activated charcoal do you give your kids? I have 5 ranging from 2 to 9 and dread the flu season every year.
I believe the blog post I linked to gives some indication of dosage. I’m hesitant to give an exact amount because it’s technically not for children. However, I do heartily recommend it based on my personal experiences. After a couple of google searches I was able to find a dosage I was comfortable giving my kids. With all of that said, any time I’ve given it to my kids (They’re 6, 4, and 3) it’s been in a glass of juice that they drink all day, and they Maybe get between 1/2 a capsule and a full one.
How many chaecoal pills for adults and how often?
Thanks!!
I wish I could say exactly, but it depends on so much. I’d do personal research and go with my own comfort level.
When you put thieves on the feet do you mix it with olive oil so its not so strong? I was told to do that but now that I’m in the middle of the stomach flu I want to double check.
Yes, dilute with just a bit of carrier.
We recently went through a bout of this. I think it started with me, then went to my husband, and then my dad. My dad never threw up but he always felt like he was going to. I have activated charcoal and I NEVER thought to use it. In fact in the end when I was done with my million trips to the bathroom I gave in to crackers and Pepto. Next time (if there is a next time) I’m going to remember this. One quick thing though, and this may sound like nit picking (and don’t mistake me I LOVE this article) but there is no such thing as a stomach flu. The flu is always a respiratory virus. The stomach virus is gastroenteritis. But whatever you call it, it’s not fun!
We call it the stomach flu too. I know that’s not what it’s called but that’s what we call it! And probably always will!
We have all of our kids drink 1tbsp a day of apple cider vinegar mixed with grape juice. Works like a charm! If they get a tummy bug, it’s mild diarrhea. For the most part, it completely skips them. It has amazing health benefits and prevents colds/flush and helps them recover faster. It’s an every day, all year around drink in our house.
Kelsi, that is 1 tbsp and how much grape juice a day? I’m going to start doing this with my kids, my husband and myself. I have lupus so I catch every bug and don’t want this one.
Thanks!!
We use apple cider vinegar as soon as someone says their tummy hurts. My husband takes it straight, but I dilute it with a little bit of water for me and the kids.
Seems like apple cider fixes everything! 🙂
It’s excellent! You must make sure it is Organic!! the run of the mill variety is loaded with not good things! We use Braggs. There are other brands, must make sure it is Organic and has the mother on the bottom.
All the Best!
Can you get by from only using the immune blend? I’m afraid that the charcoal will activate the puke button…
You can certainly try the immune blend on its own, but it likely won’t work as well. The charcoal works well to help pull the toxins out of your system.
Thank you for this post. And I am sure EVERYONE has puke bugs at the top of the list of everyday illnesses people want to avoid!!! For some people to state how much they hate them, most of us are like Um Yea!!