Ok, now I'll try to make a 'contributory' post to redeem myself from my smart-ass remarks.

Activated charcoal might be handy to have around for stomach problems. Apparently, also good for snake bites!

www.survivingthestores.com/[...]
My family always uses activated charcoal for all stomach troubles: food poisoning, norovirus, diarrhea, you name it. Works very well without any side effects if you take it at the first sign of an upset stomach but even if you take it once you're sick, it shortens the duration. At least that's been our experience with this "miracle product". It's not a drug, it's made from coconut shells and I've done my research and everything I've read says it's a safe product without side-effects.

I can recommend the following local OTC and if the pharmacist does not have it there are several similar substitutes that do the same job. Not all are capsules, some are little black pills. All smell like anis.

Huo Xiang Zheng Qi 藿香正气 Jiao Nang胶囊 (capsules). Main ingredient is Giant Hysop.

Take 4 immediately, then 3 or 4 tabs/caps 3x per day for 3 days. They take effect very quickly, and the taking of them for 3 days is to kill residual bacteria. Best to take them as soon as you think you have a problem.
We also use them as a prophylactic if we think we have consumed bad food.

We always carry these.

Thanks abcd, great link..

Tiger tiger, yes I've tried these before, licorice scent black pills ..

Agree they work on mild / regular cases ..

I'm usually not a pill popper and would have tried these methods at first sign of problems if I had some with me.....got to update the local med box..
Mike