Food poisoning treatment

To know how to prepare a simple food poisoning treatment is a good skill for all wilderness travelers. If you aren’t careful, it's very easy to get a food poisoning in the wilderness. Food poisoning occurs when we consume food or water contaminated with certain viruses or bacteria.

* Note that I am not offering medical advice, for that you should consult your physician. *


Food poisoning usually causes sudden vomiting and diarrhea. Diarrhea is one of nature's defense systems to help the body get rid of toxins and poisons as quickly as possible.


Drink plenty

It's important to drink plenty of fluids when you have a bout of diarrhea. You have to replace the fluid lost by your body and to keep from becoming dehydrated. Dehydration result in depletion of energy and fitness. To get weak and sick in the wilderness can put you in a critical emergency situation.


Food poisoning cure

As a general recommendation let the diarrhea run its course for 6-12 hours to rid the body of toxins. If your problem continue you should treat your stomach. Anti-diarrhea medication should be included in your survival first aid kit. But if for some reason it's not, you can make your own.

A good food poisoning treatment is charcoal powder mixed with water. A small amount of charcoal slurry will settle the stomach. Charcoal powder can easily be produced when required, at least if you have a fire.


Prepare your charcoal slurry

Take charcoal from a cold fire. Grid it to a powder. Mix it with clean water. A suitable mix for diarrhea is about 1 tablespoon of charcoal to a cup of pure water.

Charcoal will stop the diarrhea quickly by adsorbing the toxins that are causing the problem. Drink 1-3 glasses per day, until the desired results are achieved.

Yes, charcoal slurry tastes awful. But the alternative is not so pleasant either.


Use care when traveling in the wilderness

Take precautions to reduce the risk of eating contaminated food or water. Even if you are able to prepare your own food poisoning treatment any illness can put you at risk in the wilderness.

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