Salmonella is a form of food poisoning usually obtained from eating tainted meat, poultry, eggs or dairy products. Initial onset produces nausea, cramping of the abdomen, vomiting and bloody diarrhea and can continue to produce a condition whose symptoms manifest in the joints, eyes and uro-genital tract called Reiters Syndrome. In some cases, the pains and symptoms of Reiters Syndrome are permanent. Conventional medicine states there is no real cure for salmonella infection, but alternative medicine may have remedies and treatments available that can reduce or eliminate the majority of symptoms if caught and treated in time.
Garlic
One of the best-known natural herbal sources for antimicrobial and antibiotic activity, garlic posses potent agents in its active ingredient, allicin, that are specific to killing salmonella, according to O. Peter Snyder of the Hospitality Institute of Technology and Management in St. Paul, Minn. He reports that when allicin is separated from garlic oil, it has been found effective in stopping the growth of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria found in salmonella. Related foods that also contain these compounds are onions, chives and leeks. Raw garlic is recommended over dried product for greatest efficacy.
Oregano
Another potent antimicrobial herb is oregano, according to Snyder. The active ingredients found in oregano, thymol and carvacrol, consist of compounds containing phenol, which are also specific to being able to destroy the salmonella bacterium. Essential oil of oregano is recommended as is the dried spice itself. It can be purchased in health food stores.
Activated Charcoal
Although not often thought of as an herb, activated charcoal comes from the burnt remains of plant matter that have been treated to make them extremely porous, increasing their surface area enabling them to be highly absorptive. If taken as soon as symptoms appear or before if you know you have eaten tainted food, it acts to absorb toxins, helping to prevent you from becoming exceedingly ill. In particular, activated charcoal can stop severe diarrhea and dehydration, according to EarthClinic.com.
Arsenicum Album
The homeopathic remedy Arsenicum album treats foul-smelling diarrhea accompanied by burning feelings in the abdomen and anus. The stool may be yellow-colored. It also takes care of vomiting, abdominal cramping, restlessness, anxiety and fear of being left alone--all symptoms that may be present during a case of salmonella food poisoning.
Nux Vomica
The homeopathic remedy Nux vomica is also used for diarrhea from food poisoning with severe abdominal cramping and spasms, vomiting with dry heaves, fever and aching pain in the joints. The sick person will most likely be exceedingly chilly and unable to warm up during the illness.
Other Herbal Remedies
Additional herbs that may be helpful during an attack of food poisoning from salmonella are goldenseal, black walnut, cloves, cinnamon, sage, mustard and rosemary. None are specific to salmonella, but have been used extensively for a variety of stomach ailments from other food poisoning agents presenting with similar symptoms to those of salmonella.
References
- Antimicrobial Effects of Spices and Herbs, O. Peter Snyder
- Earth Clinic: Food Poisoning: Activated Charcoal
- "Everybody's Guide to Homeopathic Medicines," Stephen Cummings, F.N.P. and Dana Ullman, M.P.H. 1984
