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No one likes getting sick, particularly when it is the stomach flu: whether it leads to a fever, vomiting or nausea, the chills, aches and pains, diarrhea, or some of all the above, they tend to add up to an awful feeling. The stomach flu is not a single disease. Rather than, it is just a nickname for the viral gastroenteritis that is caused by some nasty viruses like rotaviruses, adenoviruses, and noroviruses. In fact, there is no specific cure for the stomach flu. From Wikinutri, the following home remedies for stomach flu cramps might help you relieve the most difficult symptoms of this condition. This article refers the information introduced in WebMD.

1. Drink More Wisely

When you suffer from the stomach flu, you might be hydrated due to diarrhea and vomiting caused by this condition. Thus, it is crucial for you to increase your fluid intake/ adults should take at least 1 cup of fluid each hour while children should have 1 ounce of fluid every half of an hour or an hour. And, remember to drink slowly as too much fluid at once will result in vomiting.

On the other hand, when you have diarrhea associated with the stomach flu, drinking more water might not be enough. As usual, you will lose the important vitamins and minerals which water could not normally supply. Ask your doctor to give you or your child an oral rehydration solution. For adults, there are many other choices, including diluted sport drinks, diluted juices, clear broth, and decaffeinated tea. Those carbonated, sugary, and alcoholic or caffeinated drinks might worsen your diarrhea condition. This might be the first and foremost tip about stomach flu treatments you need to follow.

2. Rice Water

For those who are looking for quick but simple home remedies for stomach flu, rice water is a good option. Rice water is good for diarrhea and a stomach ache because of the stomach flu. It is a bland food acting like a demulcent to help decrease inflammation of the stomach lining and lessen pain.

You can add 1/2 cup of white rice to 6 cups of water, then put them into an uncovered pan and start boiling them till the rice gets tender. Then, you strain it up and let it cool down. Next, add 1/2 teaspoon of each cinnamon powder and honey. Finally, you sip this warm rice water steadily every hour. It is recommended to apply this method for 1 week or till you get good results.

3. Avoid Eating Just Bland Foods

The old advice regarding to home remedies for stomach flu is to stick with the diet featuring mainly with liquid for several days before adding in bland foods such as bananas, rice, applesauce and toast (aka BRAT diet). Though it is fine for the initially days of the stomach flu, you should also return to your daily diet right after you feel okay. Actually, BRAT foods are not bad, yet they only do not supply enough the fat and protein necessary for the human body. Hence, sticking with these foods for a long period of time will slow your recovery.

4. Use Ginger

Another natural stomach flu treatment you can do right instantly is ginger. Thanks to the natural anti-inflammatory properties, ginger could be a handy option among many home remedies for stomach flu cramps. Besides, with its natural anti-viral effect, ginger will help you confront with the virus causing your flu.

Aiding digestion, relieving vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps, bloating, and reducing loose stools frequency are other benefits of ginger for stomach flu symptoms.

You just need to add 1 teaspoon of freshly chopped ginger to one cup of hot water. Steep it for 10 minutes or so. Strain and sip it slowly. Remember to drink it a few times per day till your symptoms improve.

Alternatively, chew small pieces of fresh ginger root a few times per day to get the same effect. However, remember that if you have high blood pressure level, you should avoid ginger.

5. Blueberries

Blueberries in the dried form are rich in fiber and have strong antioxidants helping retain the water that bulks up the stools. Also, it can help relieve nausea and diarrhea causing by stomach flu.

You can take a handful of the blueberries and start eating them as often as you could. Or, you can take this fruit in any form to cure your stomach flu symptoms. By regularly taking this fruit, you can treat many stomach-related problems.  This is another tasty stomach flu treatment you can make use of daily.

6. Use Peppermint

Another herb popularly used confront with stomach flu. It includes antispasmodic properties helping remove gas and bloating and give you relief from intestinal and stomach cramps.

Mix 1 teaspoon of the dried peppermint leaves with 1 cup of the boiling water. Let it steep for about 10 minutes, strain and let it cool. Drink it up 4-5 times per day between your meals for 2-3 days.

Take 1 or 2 enteric-coated peppermint capsules 2-3 times per day to get good results.

7. Go For Cinnamon

One of the effective home remedies for stomach flu is cinnamon which has powerful antibacterial and antiviral properties, damaging any virus or bacteria in the stomach. In addition, the warm nature of cinnamon could help rapidly relieve the aches and pains, chills and make you feel more comfortable.

Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder to 1 ½ cups of the boiling water. Steep it for 5 minutes, strain it up using a cheese cloth. Then, add 1 teaspoon of honey. Drink the tea 3-4 times per day for 2 days.

As an alternative, you could mix ½ tsp of cinnamon powder with 1 tbsp of pure honey in 1 glass of warm water. Drink it 2-3 times per day, for 2-3 days.

8. Opt For Chamomile Tea

Due to the wonderful stomach-healing effect, chamomile, along with its anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties, is an effective treatment for stomach flu symptoms, be it bloating, abdominal cramping, nausea or gas, or diarrhea.

Add 2-3 tsp of dried chamomile flowers to 1 cup of boiling water. Let it steep for 10 minutes. Strain it up and add a small amount of lemon juice and honey to taste. Drink the mixture 3-4 times per day for 2-3 days.

9. Use Apple Cider Vinegar / Lemon

In regard to natural ways on how to get rid of stomach flu, apple cider vinegar (ACV) is well-known for its efficiency. It acts as the agent against viruses causing stomach flu. Also, it is rich in pectin, helping soothe the irritated stomach. Furthermore, it could also cure stomach ache, vomiting, gas and nausea.

Add 1 tsp of ACV to 1 glass of water. Drink the mixture before your meals.  Or, you could add 1 tbsp of each of ACV and honey to 1 cup of warm water. Drink it up every several hours to get good relief.

Similar to ACV, you can make use of lemon to get the same effect for stomach flu.

10. Garlic

Another one in this list of home remedies for stomach flu, garlic, is great for soothing the lining of your stomach, giving you relief from indigestion, cramping, gas and bloating thanks to its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.

You just need to mix 1 tsp of chopped garlic with a little bit of honey. Eat the mixture instantly right after preparing it. Do this 2-3 times per day for 2 days to boost your recovery.

11. Take The Right Nutrients

You should look for the foods containing potassium like bananas, potatoes, and fruit juices, salt like soup and pretzels, and probiotic yogurt with active bacteria cultures. Even, a small amount of fat could be beneficial, as it can slow down the digestion and might decrease diarrhea.

12. Turmeric Powder

Adding turmeric to your daily meals will help in the treatment of your stomach flu. Turmeric can supply a natural relief from nausea, stomach and other stomach flu symptoms.

13. Acupressure

Similar to acupuncture, yet you could do it yourself without the need of needles. To relieve nausea symptom of stomach flu, you find a comfortable space between the two tendons along with your wrist behind the palm of the hand, place the index finger and middle finger there before applying pressure.

Above are most recommended home remedies for stomach flu you could use right at your own home. However, you had better go to see your doctor instantly if you realize: