What natural remedy for gut/intestinal/stomach issue?

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angie_nrs

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The other day I ate something that I kinda knew was not going to agree with me after the fact. Of coarse, by then, it's too late to do anything about it. I may have gotten a mild case of food poisoning. I felt nauseated during my workout several hours later, but pushed myself through it anyways. I felt "off" the rest of the day. I woke up in the morning with a horrible headache, nausea, chills and fatigue. It was like the flu. I couldn't take anything for the headache due to the nausea. I was miserable! I took a elderberry buccal tablet in hopes that it would help. A few hours later, I started feeling better and woke up the next day feeling wonderful! I'm not sure if it had anything to do with the elderberry tablet or if it just ran it's coarse.

My question is, can anyone suggest a rememdy for those times when you think you need a little intestinal help after eating something you think may not settle so well? Do probiotics work quickly? Would activated charcoal work? Sometimes I eat something that just feels like it sits like a rock in my stomach. Is there anything I can take that will quickly alleviate those issues?
 
If you're using ACV, make sure it has "mother". Click on the link in my first post and there is information why the "mother" part is important.
 
There are many causes of digestive and intestinal upset.
I marvel at the diets of many or most people I know since there are limited things I can now eat which doesn't include what they eat.
No diagnosis for me since I am not in favor of surgery or prescriptions and for me personally I think all I need to do is be more careful. I do know when to go the hospital.
My opinion is that the system needs to be cleaned up and once it is clean, stick to it.
One friend can't do any gluten. Another can do no sugars. Another is staying away from simple carbohydrates. My thing: I rarely use dairy products. Have cut most gluten out of my diet. Rarely eat pork and beef; small amounts if I do. I dont eat as much junk as I used to and not eating much sweets.
When I think I need to eat something that I know will make me sick, I weigh the worth. Yeah, I really can skip that.
Read up on the symptoms for gluten allergies, etc., Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, gall bladder flare ups, bile issues. Webmd is a good website.
Garden of Life probiotics had a good reputation but I never used it. Supposedly full of many probiotics.
A friend told me he discovered he was allergic to RICE!
I quit using butter (no margarine for me) and eventually have realized my body isn't enjoying olive oil (or any other oil for that matter). I'm not overweight, less than 120 lbs.
If I was being really diligent I'd be using a few different herbal formulas that I've used in the past. They work!

My NH used to make an "elixir of life", his guess measurements 3 TBLSP using ACV as mentioned above, 4 oz hot water, 2TBSPL Molasses, 1/4 tsp cayenne, a few ounces of juice. He'd sip and stir, sip and stir. I'm into quick pain, I guzzled mine.
There are commitments to be made once you start feeling brave enough.
Even various smoothies or homemade juices have great benefits.
 
LOL.....I just took the short cut: A tablespoon of ACV w/M in a glass of warm water.
 
Active yogurt won't hurt, probably helps tune up the alimentary canal. The 'standard' probiotics are pretty much jumped up yogurt. I take a colon-focused probiotic because it eases the discomfort in my diverticulosis- inflicted colon. Eating fresh fish has benefits, or at least used to have before the world's waters became befouled. Whisky, not so much.
 
Active yogurt won't hurt, probably helps tune up the alimentary canal. The 'standard' probiotics are pretty much jumped up yogurt. I take a colon-focused probiotic because it eases the discomfort in my diverticulosis- inflicted colon. Eating fresh fish has benefits, or at least used to have before the world's waters became befouled. Whisky, not so much.
I have been thinking about active yogurt. A very young pitbull had skin issues and scratched himself raw. His owners tried many things. Someone suggested active yogurt and they gave it a try, giving him a tablespoon a couple times a day. In three days, his issues stopped.
 
I have been thinking about active yogurt. A very young pitbull had skin issues and scratched himself raw. His owners tried many things. Someone suggested active yogurt and they gave it a try, giving him a tablespoon a couple times a day. In three days, his issues stopped.

I've been giving our little chi with skin issues about a half teaspoon a day. Might jump it up a little. I think it's grass allergy though. Seemed to die down over the winter and now she's scratching more.

Just started adding a half shot of aloe juice but not sure if that helps her or me. LOL
 
I'm looking for more of an acute treatment.........as in when you're pretty sure you've just eaten something you shouldn't have. Short of inducing vomiting, I was wondering if anyone had used anything that they think helped avoid the illness that may follow. Sometimes I just have that "ut oh......I shouldn't have eaten that.....it's just not sitting well" feeling shortly after the fact. The last time it happened was when I ate some left over taco dip. Perhaps next time I'll try some activated charcoal or the ACV trick and see how that goes.

If you're using ACV, make sure it has "mother". Click on the link in my first post and there is information why the "mother" part is important.

I looked at that article and didn't see anything about the "mother". What is it about mother that makes the difference?
 
Well, if there's mother in it, it ain't filtered or 'debugged' by heat, and it's presence also means that you can start more vinegar by dropping a bit of it in apple juice. That may be what is meant by 'active'. However, if someone filled a pint jar from a vinegar jug with mother in it, you very well may not get any mother in the jar. Good chance it would show up later if you let the jar set.

My folks used to (back when the world was young) take cider vinegar and honey as a spring tonic. I got the story from my siblings that par had to urinate in it to give it the magic touch - but I considered that to be rumor, because they never saw him do it.
 
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The mother is the living part of vinegar and provides all sorts of benefits besides the basic supply of acid. Regular store bought vinegar is cooked killing the mother and it is then filtered out, or it is a chemical concoction. Any vinegar should help digest your food more quickly. The charcoal will absorb the poison and encapsulate it, to some degree, until it passes through your system.
 
I'm looking for more of an acute treatment.........as in when you're pretty sure you've just eaten something you shouldn't have. Short of inducing vomiting, I was wondering if anyone had used anything that they think helped avoid the illness that may follow. Sometimes I just have that "ut oh......I shouldn't have eaten that.....it's just not sitting well" feeling shortly after the fact. The last time it happened was when I ate some left over taco dip. Perhaps next time I'll try some activated charcoal or the ACV trick and see how that goes.
As someone who was seriously ill with c.diff several years ago, I now take AVC w/Mother at the hint of anything upsetting my gastrointestinal tract. As soon as I feel I've eaten something that could be a problem (and you know it pretty fast), I drink 8oz warm water with one tablespoon ACV/Mother every few hours until I feel the potential problem receding. It doesn't take that many glasses of it. I know an older man who said his mother made them drink pickle juice when they were young for gastro upsets. I think I'll stay with my concoction.

One other thing I do is take a Florajen3 probiotic for every antibiotic pill I take to keep the bacteria in my intestine (are we now in TMI?) balanced. C.diff is not fun on any level so I do everything possible to avoid getting it again.

Back to your question of taking something more acute - ACVw/M is my go-to and it's surprising how quickly it works.
 
The mother is the living part of vinegar and provides all sorts of benefits besides the basic supply of acid. Regular store bought vinegar is cooked killing the mother and it is then filtered out, or it is a chemical concoction. Any vinegar should help digest your food more quickly. The charcoal will absorb the poison and encapsulate it, to some degree, until it passes through your system.
I buy the Bragg's brand of ACVw/Mother because it is a trusted brand and it comes in a glass bottle. It's available in most grocery stores.

What is the Mother in Apple Cider Vinegar gives a decent overview of the importance of "mother".
What is the mother?
Apple cider vinegar is made through a two-step process. First, yeast is added to apple juice to break down the sugars and turn them into alcohol. Then, bacteria is added, which converts the alcohol into acetic acid. This bacteria is what is known as the mother, because it is the catalyst that gives rise to the vinegar. Many store-bought apple cider vinegars have the mother removed because it gives the vinegar a cloudy appearance, which can lead some customers to believe that the product has gone bad. But this is not the case. In fact, the mother is the healthiest part.

Why is the mother so important?
The mother consists of dozens of strains of good bacteria, which we often refer to as probiotics. These help keep your digestive system running smoothly, so that you can get the most out of the food that you consume. Probiotics are also great for the immune system, the majority of which is located in your digestive tract. The good bacteria in your digestive system compete for resources with the bad bacteria, and maintaining a healthy balance can help prevent you from getting sick.

The mother also contains enzymes, which are essential for breaking down foods so that your body can make use of the nutrients you consume. Most raw foods contain enzymes, but the enzymes are often destroyed by cooking; adding in a supplementary source like apple cider vinegar is a great way to make up for this.

Consuming raw apple cider vinegar on a daily basis has been shown to be useful in maintaining normal body processes, including healthy blood sugar levels. It works with your body to increase insulin sensitivity and to ensure a slow, steady release of sugar into the bloodstream.1 Studies have also suggested that apple cider vinegar may help boost feelings of satiety, keeping you feeling fuller for longer, and possibly helping you to lose weight.2

Is pasteurized apple cider vinegar useless?
Not necessarily. It all depends on what you’re using it for. Pasteurized apple cider vinegar – that is, apple cider vinegar without the mother – can still be used in certain cases. It still contains acetic acid, which is known for its antimicrobial properties, so it’s a great choice for a household cleaner. It can also be used topically in things like hair rinses. But if you’re looking for apple cider vinegar that you can ingest, you’re better off going with a product that still has the mother, which provides the most health benefits.

What should I look for when purchasing apple cider vinegar?
Depending on the type of bottle it’s in, you may be able to tell if the apple cider vinegar contains the mother just by looking at it. It often has a cloudy appearance, or you may see stringy blobs suspended in the liquid. If you can’t tell, look at the label to see whether the vinegar still contains the mother. If it says it has been pasteurized, then the mother has been removed.

It’s always best to purchase organic apple cider vinegar whenever possible. Not only is it free from the pesticides used on non-organic apples, it often contains more beneficial bacteria. One study found that organic apple cider vinegar contained 96 strains of beneficial bacteria, compared to just 72 found in non-organic apple cider vinegar.3

How do I use apple cider vinegar with the mother?
You should always dilute apple cider vinegar in water or some other liquid before drinking. Otherwise, the acidity could end up dissolving your tooth enamel or burning your throat. There is no ideal amount that you should take each day. Many people take anywhere from a teaspoon to a tablespoon per day, but you shouldn’t exceed two tablespoons per day. When you’re dealing with a product that still contains the mother, you should always shake the bottle thoroughly before use. The mother has a tendency to settle to the bottom, and shaking the container ensures that you get some of it in every serving.

If you don’t want to drink plain apple cider vinegar, you should check out Enzymedica’s Apple Cider Vinegar capsules. They are made from raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar that still contains the mother, so you can get all of the same health benefits in a convenient, easy-to-consume capsule.
 
Back to your question of taking something more acute - ACVw/M is my go-to and it's surprising how quickly it works.

Thank you! I now have the Braggs on my next grocery list and will certainly give it a try during my next inevitable stomach situation.

Those capsules are pricey! Do you know if there are any other capsules with mother that might cost a little less? I did a quick search on Amazon but none of them mention "mother" in the initial description. I would love to take some capsules with me if I go on vacation. Doesn't it always seem like these issues pop up on vacation?? It would be nice to have some sort of backup then.

In the spring when mosquitoes are horrible, I take regular ACV tablets so I am not as tasty to the little buggers. I think it does work somewhat, but it's hard to tell for sure.
 
If I were going on vacation (which I am next week), I would take some activated charcoal. I will buy a small bottle of ACV when I get there as I drink a couple of tablespoons of acv,squeeze of lemon, one stevia packet and a big dash of cayenne powder every morning. But the charcoal would be good for emergencies!
 
If I were going on vacation (which I am next week), I would take some activated charcoal. I will buy a small bottle of ACV when I get there as I drink a couple of tablespoons of acv,squeeze of lemon, one stevia packet and a big dash of cayenne powder every morning. But the charcoal would be good for emergencies!
Good for you! I hope you are going somewhere sunny and warm to recharge your batteries. Have fun on your vacation!!!!!!!


I got my notes out from a plants and herbs class I took a couple of years ago. There's things I wrote down that are supposed to be good for gut issues, but I'm not sure if any of them work on an accute issue. Still, I thought I'd mention them in case anyone else might be interested. My notes are very limited (with incorrect spellings, I'm sure) so hopefully the experts on this topic will chime in.

Agrimony - Good for digestive issues and homone imbalances like PMS.

Plantaine - Heals the gut internally.

Cattails - High in innulin (starch) for absorbing gut bacteria......if they cause gas, you had bad gut bacteria.

Black Walnut - good for intestinal issues and parasites.
 
Good for you! I hope you are going somewhere sunny and warm to recharge your batteries. Have fun on your vacation!!!!!!!

Yes, ma'am. Central FL. Hopefully sunny, sometimes rainy, always humid! I have plenty of visiting to do as I haven't been home in about 13 years!
 
I've never had a lot of luck with natural remedies but I'm 100% sold on ACV with the mother. I have a mild hiatal hernia and it gives me terrible heartburn. ACV with the mother re-balances the gut, even though it's a mild acid. I take it as needed, which may be a few times a month or every day, depending on if I'm having heartburn. ACV knocks the heartburn on its tail within 2 or 3 days of use and a week of constant use will give me 2 weeks of no heartburn.

ACV supposedly has a ton of other benefits. Just remember to dilute it or swish some water around your mouth after taking it or the acid can be hard on your teeth...
 
It can also cause damage to your esophagus if you drink it straight. Always dilute it.
 
A teaspoon or two of baking soda in just enough warm water to gulp it down. It doesn't taste very good but sure seems to work. One dose is all I've ever needed. Also, there are food combos (like Korean food and dairy products) that should just be avoided.
 
I make my own ACV by foraging wild apple trees in my area..very simple process of using apple peels and cores and filling a quart jar with 1/2 to 3/4 quarters with the peels and cores then adding some organic cane sugar and fresh water to within 1-inch of the jar..shake the jar to mix in the sugar..I had purchased the glass disc so that it keeps the contents covered then put a coffee filter over the top then screw on a band, put in a cool dark place for 6-weeks then smell it to see if it smells like vinegar if not let sit for a couple more weeks then strain out the peels and cores making sure not to throw out the mother..I have read that you could stir it everyday but I never did that..it cost only a few pennies to make.
 
There is an "Old Wives' Tale" (what is that saying about?) regarding 'wild yeast'. It seems that, occasionally, the bacteria that wins out in the concoction is not a friendly one. Not being familiar with the Old Wives involved, I pass this on without further comment.
 
Good for you! I hope you are going somewhere sunny and warm to recharge your batteries. Have fun on your vacation!!!!!!!


I got my notes out from a plants and herbs class I took a couple of years ago. There's things I wrote down that are supposed to be good for gut issues, but I'm not sure if any of them work on an accute issue. Still, I thought I'd mention them in case anyone else might be interested. My notes are very limited (with incorrect spellings, I'm sure) so hopefully the experts on this topic will chime in.

Agrimony - Good for digestive issues and homone imbalances like PMS.

Plantaine - Heals the gut internally.

Cattails - High in innulin (starch) for absorbing gut bacteria......if they cause gas, you had bad gut bacteria.

Black Walnut - good for intestinal issues and parasites.

Could you please give me more detail on using the plantain?
 
Been thinking on cattails and starch and the small intestine. Ordinary white bread is high in starch (and not much else). It is also easily digested - which means it has been converted to glucose early on. Maybe cattail starch is slower to digest, so gets further along in the journey before conversion - and so gets to interact with more bacteria.

[I hope I am not instigating another paragraph in a folk medicine story.]
 
Been thinking on cattails and starch and the small intestine. Ordinary white bread is high in starch (and not much else). It is also easily digested - which means it has been converted to glucose early on. Maybe cattail starch is slower to digest, so gets further along in the journey before conversion - and so gets to interact with more bacteria.

[I hope I am not instigating another paragraph in a folk medicine story.]

It may have to do more with the inulin (not insulin) that the cattails are supposed to contain, but that's just my guess. It's strange that inulin is not something most people are aware of (myself included). Here's some information about it.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318593.php

One thing I remember the instructor saying was that cattails are mother natures cleaner and act like a sponge in it's environment. So, if you ingest or use cattails, make sure they are in a clean environment. If they are close to a road or near a facility or somewhere populated, they will likely have absorbed many contaminents like oil and chemicals and such. So, she suggested going to some out of the way pond or someplace that is as untouched by man as possible to get a "clean" cattail.

I also found that inulin exists in raw ACV. So, maybe inulin is the reason ACV is so beneficial to gut health.
 
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