Since apparently this is antiquated adage week here at Mindfully Frugal Mom, today’s post references the saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
A friend emailed me this morning to cancel the coffee date we had planned with our girls for today. Why? She is suffering from the scourge that is popularly known as the stomach flu. Ugh. Yuck. Blech.
Because apparently my knowledge of germ theory has some holes in it, I immediately whipped up my stomach flu prevention concoction, as if this menace could reach through my keyboard and take hold of my household.
Now, I should mention, if I haven’t already, that my knowledge of science is rudimentary. I am no doctor. You should also know that the highlight of my high school biology career involved creating a model of a human cell made from Jell-O.
Nevertheless, here is what I do to prevent stomach flu:
Upon exposure, mix togther 4 ounces 100% red grape juice with 2 ounces of water, and thoroughly stir in one Emergen-C packet (I like the Acai Berry Flavor with the grape juice).
Big Huge Caveat: Do not drink this after you have come down with a stomach bug. Grape juice+puking= No Fun For Anyone.
The theory behind this remedy is that there is a chemical in 100% grape juice that makes it difficult for that particular virus to live in one’s stomach. I have no idea if that is true. What I do know is that since I have been taking this remedy, I have not been beset with the plague known as the stomach flu. And that’s good enough for me.
Huh! Smart! Is the Emergen-C necessary then if the active ingredient is in the grape juice?
That’s a good question! No, the Emergen-C isn’t strictly necessary — but I always add it as an additional measure of prevention. It is important to make sure you are drinking 100% purple grape juice, not a grape drink or something like that.
White grape juice won’t work? Purple grape juice + toddlers + possible tummy virus = more adventure than I’m up for most days.
Nonetheless, I am willing to go and buy purple grape juice for myself alone based on this.
Unfortunately, it has to be 100% purple grape juice. The idea is that you take it *after* exposure but *before* the virus actually hits. Because you’re right, once it hits, colored liquid is a BAD idea.
Great idea!
How often should you drink this??
I drink it every morning and sometimes in the afternoon as a pick me up. But definitely first thing in the morning!
I’ve used grapefruit seed extract to ward off the stomach flu and it really works. Now, it may be some of the nastiest tasting stuff ever (the liquid) but it does work. Funny thing is the one thing that makes it taste not-so-horrid is purple grape juice. Thanks for this. I’m going to have to stock up. With seven of us, one of which is a four month old, that’s not a bug we want to pick up.
Thanks for the tip to use GSE!