Surviving the Summer Stomach Bug – With a Little Herbal Help

Whew—let me just start by saying… I got wrecked by a summer stomach bug this week. You know the kind that sneaks in, turns your tummy into a battlefield, and leaves you whispering sweet nothings to your toilet? Yeah, that one.

It came out of nowhere. One minute I was fine, the next I was queasy, dizzy, and wondering what dimension I had just entered. Not to be dramatic (okay, maybe a little), but it knocked me off my feet. And as much as I wished for instant relief, the only thing to do was ride the wave—herbal allies in hand.

So, here’s what helped me recover—gently, naturally, and with as much dignity as one can have while curled up with a heating pad and a cup of tea.

 

💧 Hydration Is Everything (Even When You Don't Want It)

The biggest struggle? Staying hydrated when your stomach wants nothing in it. I sipped small amounts of water with:

A pinch of sea salt + a drizzle of honey – simple, natural electrolytes.

Coconut water – full of potassium and easy on the gut.

Ginger tea – helps reduce nausea and supports digestion. I steeped fresh slices with a bit of honey and it made a huge difference.

 

🌿 My Go-To Herbs for Tummy Trouble

These are the gentle warriors I turned to:

Chamomile – Soothing for cramping and calming for the nervous system. I drank a lot of this. It’s like a hug for your insides.

Peppermint – Great for nausea and bloating. I sipped it as a tea and also applied diluted peppermint oil to my belly (clockwise, always).

Slippery Elm Bark – I made a slurry with warm water and a little maple syrup. It coats and calms an irritated gut lining.

Fennel Seeds – I chewed a few after I could stomach solids again to help with gas and digestion.

 

🥣 When Food Sounds Scary

Once I started feeling slightly human again, I eased into:

Plain white rice and toast

Simple vegetable soup (yes, even canned Campbell’s when I had no energy to cook—don’t judge, it was a life-saver)

Oyster crackers – Bless them.

I also added a splash of herbal vinegar (infused with ginger + fennel) to my soup for an extra digestive boost.

 

🫶 Listen to Your Body

Rest. I know—easier said than done, especially as a mama. But I had to surrender to the couch, naps, and asking for help (even if it made me twitchy). Herbs can only do so much if we don’t also slow down.

 

💚 Final Thoughts from the Bug Battlefield

Stomach bugs are no joke. And summer ones feel even worse when you're dreaming of pool days and popsicles, not Pedialyte and peppermint tea. But I’m grateful I had my herbal toolkit and a soft place to land. Hopefully, you never need this list—but if you do, you’ll be glad it’s here.

If you’ve got a favorite natural remedy for tummy bugs, I’d love to hear it. Drop it in the comments over on my Facebook page or share this post with a friend who’s stuck in stomach bug purgatory.

Stay well & hydrated,

🌿 Brittany

Wild Root Herbalist