Damage to the body by pathogenic microbes, toxic substances, chemicals or heavy metals provokes poisoning of varying degrees of severity. The toxin can cause irritation of the digestive system or, conversely, lead to irreversible loss of vital functions. Poisoning by toadstool and fly agaric requires immediate medical attention. A poisonous snake bite also cannot be cured with herbs and medications. Herbs used in folk medicine can sometimes help against poisoning with drugs, food or other toxic substances.
What types of poisoning can be relieved with herbs?
Traditional methods of treatment are used in mild cases of poisoning, usually caused by food and alcoholic beverages.
Food poisoning
This condition is associated with the consumption of eggs, meat, dairy and fish products that were stored without refrigeration. Pathogenic microbes (clostridia, Proteus, staphylococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, etc.) are able to multiply in food at room temperature.
Bacteria enter the body with confectionery, beer, and soups. Some of them increase the secretion of fluid and salts inside the stomach and intestines. Others damage the inner lining of the digestive organs and disrupt protein synthesis in them. From the moment of exposure to the appearance of signs of poisoning, it takes from 30 minutes to 2–3 hours.
Mild poisoning occurs without severe inflammation of the epithelium of the stomach and intestines, so the temperature does not rise. In these cases, herbs can be used for poisoning, but only after gastric lavage.
With repeated vomiting and diarrhea, the body becomes dehydrated and loses important microelements. Blood pressure decreases. With such dangerous symptoms, a person cannot do without medical help.
Alcohol poisoning
Sometimes drinking too much alcohol leads to alcohol poisoning. The liver copes with mild forms of intoxication. This organ neutralizes the effects of alcohol, breaking it down into safe metabolites.
But the reserves of enzymes in the liver are limited. Unneutralized ethyl alcohol, entering the brain through the bloodstream, poisons nerve cells. Coordination of movements is impaired, the heart contracts less frequently, nausea and vomiting appear.
Urgent home measures in such cases are gastric lavage with a solution of baking soda. In 1 liter of water stir 1 tbsp. l. powder and give the victim a drink. Then they make him vomit. The procedure must be repeated several times until the stomach is completely cleared of food and alcohol. Then you should drink activated carbon. Crushed 4-5 tablets are mixed with water and given to the poisoned person. The sorbent intake is repeated every 5 hours. You can also use other drugs - Polysorb, Filtrum-sti, Enterosgel, Smecta.
Treatment of metal poisoning
Our life is closely connected with various metals. Their content can be found in dishes, detergents, medicine, radiation from the operation of household appliances, in the air itself, which is saturated with the exhaust gases of many cars. In this regard, the body gradually accumulates metal elements, the immune system loses strength, which leads to poisoning.
Metal compounds enter the body with food, air, and sometimes through mucous membranes. Their deposition in tissues and organs causes damage to the latter, body functions are disrupted, and a person becomes vulnerable to exacerbation of existing chronic diseases.
- stomach ache;
- nausea leading to vomiting;
- diarrhea, sometimes constipation;
- renal failure;
- migraine, fatigue;
- nasal congestion, cough.
An infusion of horsetail will help remove metal compounds from the body. You will need 10 g of dry horsetail herb, which is steamed with boiling water (200 ml). Drink 0.5 cups of decoction several times a day.
Safe herbs for poisoning and recipes for their preparation
If the poisoning is not severe, home treatment can be used. Herbal medicine uses different types of plants. But they are shown only if a person does not have allergies. To get rid of symptoms, use folk remedies for diarrhea. Below are some popular herbs.
Chamomile
Chamomile flowers for food poisoning relieve inflammation of the gastric epithelium caused by bacterial toxins. Thanks to its antiseptic properties, chamomile eliminates vomiting and diarrhea. In addition, it is a natural sorbent: it binds and neutralizes toxins. An infusion of flowers is usually used:
- Herbs for diarrhea you need to take 1 tbsp. l. per glass of water. To fully extract essential oils that have medicinal properties, prepare the solution in a glass or porcelain container in a water bath.
- Leave to steep under a tight lid for 15 minutes.
- After straining, drink 1/3 glass three times a day before meals.
You can drink chamomile tea. Place 1 pharmaceutical sachet in a glass of hot water and cover with a saucer. The product is ready in 5 minutes. Brewed chamomile acts quickly. After 2 days, there will be no trace of signs of poisoning.
Melissa
Most poisonings occur with nausea and vomiting. An infusion of dry lemon balm can help with these debilitating symptoms. To prepare the drug 4 tbsp. l. aromatic herbs are poured into a thermos with 400 ml of boiling water. Leave for at least four hours. Take 1/3 cup before breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Rose hip
Thanks to their astringent properties, the fruits help eliminate diarrhea in case of poisoning and remove toxins. When a child is poisoned, rosehip is prepared as a vitamin tea from the berries. The natural product contains a lot of ascorbic acid. Vitamin C strengthens the immune system, which is important in the fight against disease. Preparation of the decoction:
- Pour 1 liter of hot water into the container.
- Add 5 tbsp. l. crushed berries.
- Boil for 10 minutes.
- Leave to infuse for half an hour.
It is easier to cook rose hips in the same proportion in a thermos. To preserve the entire set of vitamins, pour the crushed berries with hot, but not boiling water (90 °C). After straining, take a glass 2 times a day. The decoction is indicated for children and adults. Pregnancy is not a contraindication for taking a drink rich in vitamins.
St. John's wort
Regular St. John's wort will help get rid of the signs of food poisoning. The medicinal plant has long been used as an anti-inflammatory agent. Recipe for preparing herbal infusion for vomiting:
- Pour 1 tbsp. l. St. John's wort herb with a glass of just boiled water.
- Place the closed container with the raw materials in a pan of hot water.
- Keep on medium heat for 15 minutes.
- Let it sit for another half hour under a towel.
The drug is taken in case of poisoning, ¼ glass three times a day before meals.
Chicory
The root of the plant is considered an antidote for food and other types of poisoning. The main component of chicory, inulin, helps normalize intestinal microflora and serves as food for beneficial bifidobacteria and lactobacilli.
The drink is easy to prepare:
- 1 tbsp. l. roots with flowers, pour 200 ml of boiling water into a thermos.
- Leave for 12 hours.
- It is recommended to take a quarter glass three times. Natural honey is suitable for sweetening.
Chicory has an astringent and antimicrobial effect. Naturally removes toxic substances from the intestines. By stimulating peristalsis, it regulates stool. Used to eliminate inflammation of the stomach and intestines in mild cases.
Elecampane
Elecampane root provides effective assistance to adults in case of poisoning. The drug removes poisons from the intestines. Cooking method:
- Pour 2 tbsp with one glass of boiling water. l. grated root.
- Infusion using the water bath method requires 15–20 minutes.
- Drink 1 tbsp. l. 4 times a day.
Elecampane reduces symptoms of food poisoning caused by bacterial toxins. Relieves spasms of the stomach and intestines.
Nettle
An extract from the seeds of the pungent herb is known as an antidote for poisoning with mushrooms and heavy metal salts (mercury, lead). Stinging nettle is used for food and alcohol poisoning.
Lignins and polysaccharides contained in the leaves bind and remove toxins. The herbal infusion is diluted in half with boiled water. Use ½ cup 3 times a day for 2-3 days.
Treatment of mushroom poisoning
Mushrooms are a very difficult food to digest. There are a huge number of mushroom-based dishes.
If they are not washed well, then the bacteria that live in the soil will end up on the table. We are talking about Clostridium botilinum. This bacterium has high survival rate in any environment. It produces poison, a small amount of which can kill the human body.
The time for symptoms of poisoning to appear depends on the concentration of toxic substances:
- sharp pain in the stomach;
- a veil before the eyes;
- dry mouth;
- prostration;
- clouding of consciousness, hallucinations are possible;
- nausea and vomiting.
In case of mushroom poisoning, milk thistle seed infusion helps.
The only downside is that it needs to be prepared in advance. To prepare, take 50 g of crushed seeds and ½ liter of vodka. Leave the infusion for 14 days, shaking the liquid periodically. Take 25 drops diluted in 100 ml of boiled water. Frequency of administration: 5 times a day before eating.
Herbal remedies for poisoning
Folk remedies for food poisoning are used to eliminate diarrhea and vomiting. Herbal preparations are widely used:
- Peppermint 80 grams and centaury 20 g.
- 40 g of blueberries with 60 g of bird cherry berries.
- Peppermint, plantain, St. John's wort, agrimony herb, chamomile in equal parts.
- 10 g each of cinquefoil rhizome and caraway fruit; 20 g of immortelle and blueberries each. Add 30 g of sage leaves.
Infusions are prepared according to the same recipe. Take 1 tbsp. l. dry collection per glass of boiling water. Infuse in a water bath for 15 minutes. After preparation, take 50 ml before meals three times a day.
