20 Home Remedies for Gastroenteritis

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a common home remedy for stomach upset. Some people use it during gastroenteritis to support digestion and reduce bloating. It contains acetic acid, which may help limit the growth of certain harmful germs. Gastroenteritis often spreads through viruses, but bacteria can also play a role in some cases.

Vinegar does not cure the infection, yet it may help create a less friendly environment for unwanted bacteria in your gut. Mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a full glass of warm water. Drink it slowly once or twice a day while symptoms are mild. If you have severe vomiting, ongoing diarrhea, or signs of dehydration such as dark urine or dizziness, focus on fluids and oral rehydration solutions first.

3. Rooibos Tea

Rooibos tea is a caffeine-free herbal tea made from a plant grown in South Africa. When you have gastroenteritis, your stomach and intestines feel irritated. You may also lose fluids from diarrhea and vomiting. Drink rooibos tea warm or at room temperature to help replace fluids.

Since it has no caffeine, it will not stimulate your bowels the way coffee or black tea can. This makes it a gentle option when your digestion feels sensitive. Rooibos contain natural plant compounds that may help calm irritation in the gut. While it does not cure infections caused by viruses or bacteria, it can support comfort while your body recovers.

Many people find it easier to tolerate than strong teas. Steep 1 tea bag or 1 teaspoon of loose rooibos in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes. Let it cool slightly before sipping, and drink small amounts every 15 to 30 minutes if you feel nauseated.

4. Fermented Foods

Fermented foods can help restore the balance of bacteria in your gut. Gastroenteritis can upset this balance, especially after vomiting or diarrhea. Adding small amounts of the right fermented foods may support normal digestion. These foods contain live cultures, which are helpful bacteria. They can help your gut recover and may reduce loose stools over time.

Choose simple products without added sugar or artificial sweeteners. Common options include yogurt with live and active cultures, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and miso. Start with plain yogurt or kefir because they are mild and easier on your stomach.

Eat small portions once or twice a day and see how your body responds. Avoid fermented foods that are spicy, very salty, or high in fat. Spicy kimchi or heavily seasoned products may irritate your stomach while it is still sensitive. If dairy worsens your symptoms, choose non-dairy options with live cultures.

5. Turmeric

Turmeric is a yellow spice that contains a natural compound called curcumin, a natural compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. These actions may help calm irritation in your gut during gastroenteritis. When your stomach and intestines feel sore, mild anti-inflammatory foods can support comfort.

Turmeric may help reduce swelling in the intestinal lining. This can ease cramping and general stomach discomfort in some people. Add small amounts of turmeric to soup, rice, or warm broth. Cooking uses low amounts, which are usually safe for most adults.

The flavor is mild and blends well with simple foods often eaten during recovery. Some people use turmeric supplements, with common curcumin doses ranging from 400 to 600 mg taken up to three times a day. Black pepper extract can increase absorption, though it may also irritate a sensitive stomach.

6. Bone Broth

Bone broth gives you fluids and key minerals when you lose them through diarrhea or vomiting. Gastroenteritis often causes dehydration, so you need steady fluid intake to replace what your body loses. Warm broth is gentle on your stomach, easy to sip, and simple to digest.

If solid food feels hard to tolerate, broth can give you light nourishment without putting stress on your gut. Bone broth contains small amounts of sodium, potassium, and other electrolytes, which help your body maintain the right fluid balance. When you have frequent loose stools, your electrolyte levels can drop.

Start with a few sips at a time, then drink small amounts every 30 to 60 minutes. If you tolerate it well, slowly increase the amount. Choose plain broth with no added cream or heavy spices. Avoid large amounts of fat, as greasy foods may worsen diarrhea, and skim off excess fat if needed.

7. Baking Soda

Baking soda is a common household product that people often use as an antacid to ease heartburn and acid indigestion. It may also help if gastroenteritis causes a sour stomach or burning pain in your upper belly. Baking soda lowers stomach acid, and mixing a small amount in water can calm irritation linked to excess acid. This may reduce mild nausea tied to acid buildup, but it does not treat the infection that causes diarrhea or vomiting.

To use it safely, dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in a full glass of water and stir well before drinking. Only use it once every few hours, and do not take more than directed on the product label. Baking soda contains sodium, and too much can upset your body’s salt balance, especially if you already have diarrhea and fluid loss. If your symptoms last more than a few days or get worse, you need medical care.

8. Chamomile

Chamomile is a mild herb that many people use to calm the stomach. You can drink it as a tea made from dried flowers. It has natural plant compounds that may help ease swelling and relax tight muscles in your gut.

Gastroenteritis often causes cramping, nausea, and loose stools. Chamomile may help reduce these symptoms by relaxing the digestive tract. Some small studies in children found that chamomile, when combined with other herbs, helped shorten the length of diarrhea. More research is still needed, but many people use it for short-term relief.

Prepare chamomile tea by steeping 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried flowers in hot water for 10 minutes. Strain it and let it cool before you drink it. Sip small amounts throughout the day to avoid upsetting your stomach. Avoid chamomile if you are allergic to plants in the daisy family.

9. Raw Honey

Raw honey may help soothe your stomach when you have gastroenteritis. It has natural antibacterial and antiviral properties, which may help your body fight some germs that cause diarrhea and vomiting. Mix one teaspoon of raw honey into a cup of warm water and sip it slowly once or twice a day. Warm water helps you stay hydrated, which is important when you lose fluids from diarrhea or vomiting.

Honey may also calm irritation in your digestive tract. Its smooth texture can coat your throat and stomach, which may ease nausea for some people. Some early research suggests honey may help reduce the length of diarrhea, especially when used along with oral rehydration solutions.

10. Ice Blocks

Ice blocks help you replace fluids when you feel too sick to drink much. Gastroenteritis often causes vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to fluid loss. Sucking on small pieces of ice gives your body water in slow, steady amounts.

Let the ice melt in your mouth instead of chewing it. This method is gentle on your stomach and may reduce nausea because you take in very small sips at a time. Ice blocks can also soothe a dry mouth, which vomiting and fever can leave feeling sticky and uncomfortable.

Cold ice gives quick relief and helps you feel more refreshed. If plain ice feels too bland, freeze an oral rehydration drink into cubes. This option gives you fluids along with small amounts of salt your body loses during diarrhea.

11. Bed Rest

Gastroenteritis quickly drains your energy through vomiting and diarrhea, often leaving you weak, dizzy, or tired. Bed rest lets your body focus on fighting the infection and may help reduce nausea and limit sudden bathroom trips. Try to stay in bed or on a couch for most of the day and get up slowly if you feel lightheaded.

Place a trash bin or bowl near your bed in case nausea starts suddenly. Sip small amounts of water or an oral rehydration drink while you lie down. Keep light blankets nearby if you develop chills or a mild fever, and avoid screen time if it worsens headaches or nausea.

If you have a fever or body aches, prioritize rest. Sleep strengthens your immune system, and short naps during the day can help if you wake up often at night. Limit physical activity until vomiting and diarrhea stop, and give your body at least 24 to 48 hours of steady improvement before returning to normal tasks.

12. Avoid Sugar

Sugar can worsen gastroenteritis symptoms by pulling water into your intestines, which leads to more loose stools and increased dehydration. Limit foods and drinks with added sugar, such as soda, fruit punches, sweet tea, candy, pastries, and many packaged snacks.

Check labels for hidden sugars like syrup, cane juice, and high-fructose corn syrup, which can irritate your digestive system while it heals. Also watch for dextrose, maltose, honey, molasses, fruit juice concentrate, agave nectar, brown rice syrup, and evaporated cane sugar listed in packaged foods.

Simple carbohydrates such as white bread, plain rice, and crackers are usually easier to handle than sugary foods. Choose bland options instead of sweetened cereals or flavored yogurt, and avoid sweetened milk products if dairy worsens your symptoms. Cutting back on sugar helps reduce bloating, cramping, and diarrhea while supporting better fluid balance during recovery.

13. Ginger Tea

Ginger tea can calm your stomach during gastroenteritis, easing nausea and cramps with its natural digestive compounds. It helps relax the muscles in your digestive tract, reduces irritation in the stomach lining, and supports smoother digestion. Make ginger tea at home by boiling one to two teaspoons of peeled ginger in two cups of water for about 10 minutes, then strain and let it cool to a warm temperature.

Sip slowly, adding a small amount of honey if needed, but avoid large amounts of sugar. Drink ginger tea up to two or three times a day while symptoms last. Use ginger tea for comfort, but continue to rest and drink fluids such as water or oral rehydration solutions to prevent dehydration.

14. Avoid Over-Medicating With OTC Products

You may want fast relief from nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, and over-the-counter medicines can help, but taking too many may cause new problems. Many OTC products treat symptoms rather than the infection itself, and using more than the label allows can irritate your stomach or strain your liver.

Always read the label, check the active ingredient, and avoid doubling up on similar drugs. Take only the dose listed for your age and never take doses closer together than directed. Avoid mixing products that contain similar active ingredients, and stop using them if you notice new or worsening symptoms.

Diarrhea helps your body remove germs, so blocking it too soon with anti-diarrheal drugs may slow your recovery. If you take prescription medicines or have a long-term health condition, speak with a health professional before using OTC products to avoid harmful interactions and side effects.

15. Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS)

Gastroenteritis causes fluid loss through vomiting and diarrhea, so you need to replace both water and salts to prevent dehydration. Oral rehydration solutions help your body absorb fluids more effectively than plain water by providing the right balance of salt, sugar, and water. You can buy ORS as a powder or tablet from a pharmacy and mix it exactly as directed with clean water.

Take small, frequent sips every few minutes; if you vomit, wait 5 to 10 minutes before starting again slowly. Children and older adults may need closer monitoring because they can dehydrate faster. You should throw away any leftover solution after 24 hours and prepare a new batch if needed.

16. Avoid Dairy Products Temporarily

Gastroenteritis irritates your stomach and intestines, which makes it harder to digest milk and other dairy foods. You may experience more cramping or loose stools after drinking milk because your body may not break down lactose well while your gut heals. Even if you usually tolerate dairy, you can become temporarily sensitive during recovery.

Limit or avoid milk, cheese, ice cream, cream-based soups or sauces, and yogurt for a few days while your digestive system recovers and inflammation settles. This short break gives your intestines time to rebuild lactase levels and restore normal digestion.

If dairy increases your symptoms, stop using it until your stools return to normal, then reintroduce it slowly. Choose clear liquids, broth, rice, bananas, toast, and cooked vegetables for fluids and nutrients. If you want a milk substitute, try a small amount of lactose-free or plant-based milk and see how you tolerate it.

17. Potassium-Rich Foods

Vomiting and diarrhea from gastroenteritis can lower your potassium levels, which leads to muscle weakness, cramps, or an uneven heartbeat. Low potassium also affects how your nerves and muscles work, including the muscles that control your heartbeat and breathing rhythm.

Restore potassium by adding simple, easy-to-digest foods like bananas as your stomach settles. Other fruits high in potassium include cantaloupe, oranges, apricots, and kiwi. Cooked vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and winter squash can also help rebuild your levels.

If you tolerate dairy, yogurt and milk provide potassium and fluids at the same time, while lean meats and fish also contain potassium but may be harder to digest if you still feel nauseated. Focus on steady intake through food instead of supplements unless your provider advises otherwise.

18. Gradual Return to a Regular Diet

As vomiting and diarrhea slow down, start adding simple foods back into your meals with small portions. Eat slowly and note how your body responds. Choose easy-to-digest foods such as plain rice, toast, boiled potatoes, bananas, applesauce, crackers, and clear soups.

Eat small meals every 3 to 4 hours instead of large meals to avoid stressing your stomach. If nausea returns, go back to clear fluids for a short time before trying solid food again. Keep drinking fluids between meals, and avoid fruit juice and fizzy drinks, which can worsen diarrhea.

Stay away from fatty, fried, spicy, and very sweet foods at first, as they can irritate your stomach and trigger loose stools. Add dairy products back slowly if they cause bloating or cramps. Once you tolerate bland foods without pain or diarrhea, gradually return to your normal diet and increase portion sizes as symptoms improve.

19. Zinc Supplementation

Zinc supplements can support your recovery from gastroenteritis, especially if diarrhea lasts more than a few days. Zinc helps your immune system and supports the lining of your gut as it heals. In many children, zinc can shorten the duration and severity of diarrhea, while adults may benefit if they do not get enough zinc from food.

Do not exceed the upper limit unless a healthcare professional advises you. Too much zinc can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, headaches, and loss of appetite. High doses taken for a long time may lower your copper levels and weaken your immune response. Take zinc with food to reduce stomach upset and separate it from antibiotics or certain other medicines by a few hours, as it can reduce how well some drugs are absorbed.

20. Good Hand Hygiene

Gastroenteritis germs spread quickly through your hands, often moving from bathrooms or dirty surfaces to your mouth without you noticing. Practicing good hand hygiene significantly lowers your risk of reinfection. Simple habits can stop the virus from spreading in your home.

Wash your hands with soap and clean, running water. Rub them together for at least 20 seconds, cleaning the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. Wash your hands after using the toilet, after changing diapers, before eating or preparing food, after handling dirty laundry or trash, and after cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.

If you cannot use soap and water, apply a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol and rub it over all hand surfaces until dry. Use soap and water whenever your hands look visibly dirty. Keep your nails short and avoid touching your face.