Alternative Medicine: Treatment of Food Poisoning

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Animal studies have shown that certain vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin A and calcium, may be particularly effectively in protecting against some food toxins, while others such as fish oil may actually worsen the effects of toxins. Milk thistle is an herb commonly used in Europe as a primary treatment for mushroom poison. Homeopathy is particularly promising for the treatment of diarrhea in children (which is sometimes caused by food poisoning) in developing countries.

A. Nutrition

The following general nutritional guidelines may be helpful in the case of food poisoning:

• Drink plenty of fluids (to prevent dehydration) 

• Drink barley or rice water (to soothe inflamed stomach or intestine) 

• Lactobacillus acidophilus (for those taking antibiotics)

Advice more specific to food poisoning includes:

• Alpha-Lipoic Acid - Several reports indicate that alpha-lipoic acid, an antioxidant commonly found in broccoli, spinach, and beef, may be helpful in the treatment of Amanita poisoning. The usual dose for the supplement form is 50 mg twice a day or 100 mg once a day.

• Coumarins - Lab studies have shown that coumarins, substances found in many fruits and vegetables, may help stop the growth of E. coli. It is not clear however, whether these test tube studies will translate into coumarins offering a protective effect against E. coli infection in humans. To prevent traveler's diarrhea, fruits and vegetables should be peeled, washed carefully, and preferably cooked before ingestion (see section entitled Prevention). 

• Many animal studies have investigated the use of vitamins, minerals, and supplements to treat food poisoning. The most promising include:

• Vitamin A - Rats infected with Salmonella appeared to eliminate the bacteria from their bodies faster when pretreated with vitamin A than with placebo, according to one study. They also gain more weight and have a greater immune response than placebo-treated rats. Another study suggests that vitamin A-deficient rats may actually be more prone to Salmonella infection. 

• Calcium phosphate - One animal study suggests that rats receiving calcium phosphate supplements may be protected from infection by Salmonella enteritidis poisoning. Researchers theorize that calcium phosphate helps to defend against certain organisms found in some foods that can cause disease. 

• Fish Oil - In a study of mice infected with the bacteria, Listeria, animals that regularly consumed diets rich in fish oil had significantly more bacteria in their spleens than animals that consumed diets rich in lard or soybean oil. Until researchers can determine what these results mean to humans, people who have Listeria infection should avoid foods containing fish oil.

B. Herbs

Use of the following for people with a specific food poisoning is well documented:

• Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) is one of the most effective herbs for liver disorders and is widely used in Europe to treat Amanita mushroom poisoning. Studies have shown that patients with Amanita poisoning can be effectively treated with silibinin (the primary active component of milk thistle) up to 48 hours after eating the deadly mushrooms. 

• Animal studies of Chinese and Japanese combination herbal remedies used for L. monocytogenes support the traditional use for this type of food poisoning. A few of the active ingredients include:

• Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) 

• Astragalus root (Astragalus membranaceus)

• Chinese cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum aromaticum) 

• Ginger root (Zingiber officinale) 

• Licorice (Glcyrrhizae glabra) 

• Peony root (Paeonia officinalis) 

• Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)

When considering use of combination remedies, it is best to seek the advice of an appropriately trained, licensed, and certified herbalist or traditional Chinese doctor who will guide your individual treatment; the substances tend to complement one another and work in tandem, not separately.

• Laboratory studies (those performed in test tubes) suggest that the following substances have activity against particular organisms that may cause food poisoning:

• Bittervine (Mikania micranthu)  A plant extract from a traditional Jamaican folk medicine shows activity against several types of bacteria, including S. aureus and E. coli. 

• Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) - Lab studies have shown that the essential oil of the tea tree has activity against E. coli. 

• Thyme - The essential oil of thyme (Thymus vulgaris) has killed the bacteria Salmonella typhimurium; additional lab studies also suggest that thymol (a part of thyme oil) has activity against S. aureus.

While these lab results are interesting, they do not necessarily translate into treatment for people, particularly the tea tree oil and thyme trials because essential oils should generally not be ingested. Thyme is available in a dried herb and is used to help digestion and to treat symptoms of gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining); however, it is not known whether the dried herb would have the same activity as the oil against the bacteria mentioned.

• Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) has also been used traditionally to treat diarrhea from infectious causes such as E. coli and V. cholera and, therefore, may help ease this symptom in some people with food poisoning.

C. Homeopathy

In a recent study of children with acute diarrhea, those who received an individualized homeopathic treatment for five days had a significantly shorter duration of diarrhea than children who received placebo. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional type. In homeopathic terms, a person's constitution is his or her physical, emotional, and intellectual makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate remedy for a particular individual.

• Arsenicum album: for foul-smelling diarrhea from food poisoning or traveler's diarrhea with burning sensation in the abdomen and around the anus; this remedy is most appropriate for individuals who feel exhausted yet restless and whose symptoms tend to worsen in the cold and improve with warmth; vomiting may also occur; Arsenicum may also be used to prevent diarrhea when traveling. 

• Chamomilla: for greenish, frothy stool that smells like rotten eggs; used primarily for children, especially those who are irritable, argumentative, and difficult to console. 

• Calcarea carbonica: for children who fear being in the dark or alone and who perspire heavily while sleeping; stools have a sour odor. 

• Podophyllum:for explosive, gushing, painless diarrhea that becomes worse after eating or drinking; exhaustion often follows bowel movements and the individual for whom this remedy is appropriate may experience painful cramps in lower extremities. 

• Sulphur: for irritable and weepy children; may have a red ring around the anus and diarrhea with the odor of rotten eggs.

(Maryland Medical)