Herbs have traditionally been used to assist a person to come back to a healthy state of well being. Individual herbs, specifically prescribed for a particular situation may assist the body to come back into balance, thereby allowing a healthy homeostasis to be reinstated as nature intended. The herbalist looks to the whole person, their values and attitudes as well as their circumstances and physical condition along with other aspects of their individuality. This is in marked contrast to the allopathic medicine approach.
Below you will find an example of selected herbs for a particular condition. Herbal support can take a variety of forms and combinations, so it is vital that each person consult directly with a qualified holistic practitioner to gain the full benefit of immunity and health building support.
Gastroenteritis is a general term for a group of conditions that usually results from the consumption of irritating or bad foods that cause an irritation and possible infection of the stomach lining.
The symptoms can come on suddenly and may include a loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, mild to severe diarrhea, cramps and discomfort in the abdomen. There may also be fever, aching muscles, and exhaustion.
Dehydration and lowered blood pressure can also occur in extreme cases.
To a healthy adult it is merely inconvenient but to the very ill, young or elderly it can be life threatening.
Gastroenteritis as is well known is very easily passed to others by poor hygiene.
It can result from any of the below :-
- Bacteria such as E.coli, Salmonella ,
- Parasites such as Giardia, Cryptosporidium most commonly contracted from contaminated drinking water .
- Viruses such as Coxsackievirus.
- Chemical toxins in foods such as sea foods, mushrooms.
- Heavy metals.
- Antibiotics
First Aid
This involves stopping the loss of fluids as soon as possible.
Crush 2 junket tablets and drink with water until more solid faeces are being passed.
Replace lost fluid with appropriate electrolyte liquids, ie water with both salts and sugars. The old fashioned remedy of flat lemonade is appropriate.
Follow Up
Slippery Elm Powder will soothe and heal the stomach lining.
This is given at a dose rate of one dessertspoon daily mixed into a paste with cold Chamomile Tea or banana or yoghurt.
If symptoms have not passed within 36 hours then a mix of herbs to remove infection as well as soothe and heal is advised. They include Agrimony, Garlic, Echinacea, Slippery Elm, Alfalfa, Marshmallow and Rhubarb as well as the Bach Flowers Cherry Plum, Impatiens and Mimulus.
On an emotional level there may be something that is proving difficult to assimilate, something new possibly that you can’t stomach. It is our stomachs that digest all the new ideas and experiences that we face. Maybe we are afraid of the new experiences in front of us.
