How to Make an Oral Rehydration Salts Drink (ORS): 5+ Recipes (2024)

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  • Nausea and Vomiting

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Simple ORS recipes to help with food poisoning or diarrhea

Co-authored byClaudia Carberry, RD, MSand Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: June 12, 2024Fact Checked

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  • How to Make and Use an ORS
  • |
  • Homemade ORS Alternatives
  • |
  • When should someone drink an ORS?
  • |
  • Video
  • |
  • Tips
  • |
  • Warnings

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Oral Rehydration Salts or an Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) is a special drink made with clean water, sugar, and salt that can help replace fluid loss from severe diarrhea and/or vomiting. While medical professionals officially recommend using premade ORS packets and drinks, it is possible to make a homemade version with just 3 simple ingredients. We’ll walk you through the recipe for an ORS (including some homemade alternatives), and even provide some guidance on how much adults, kids, and toddlers should drink.

Things You Should Know

  • Prepare a homemade ORS drink with 414c (1.0L) water, ½ tsp (3 g) of table salt, and 2 tbsp (25 g) of sugar.
  • Alternatively, stir ¾ tsp (4.5 g) of table salt into 4c (0.95L) of a sports drink.
  • Sip 100 mL (3.4 fl oz) of an ORS every 5 minutes. The total amount of an ORS you need (in mL) is your weight (in kg) multiplied by 75.

Section 1 of 3:

How to Make and Use an ORS

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  1. 1

    Mix clean water, salt, and sugar together to make a homemade ORS. Stir ½ tsp (3 g) of table salt and 2 tbsp (25 g) of sugar into 414c (1.0L) of water. To improve the flavor, mix in some water flavoring.

    • If you have a premade ORS packet: Stir a packet of premade ORS into 1L (34floz) of water.[1]
    • Warning: Medical experts advise against using a homemade ORS solution unless there are no other options available. Premade solutions are your best bet at fighting dehydration.[2]
  2. 2

    Drink 100 mL (3.4 fl oz) of your ORS about every 5 minutes. Multiply your weight (in kg) by 75—this is the amount of an ORS you need to drink over 4 hours (in mL). Continue to sip your ORS every few minutes, or until you no longer show signs of dehydration (for example, being able to pass urine, no longer feeling thirsty, and having a strong pulse).[3]

    • Examine your symptoms after drinking your ORS for 1 hour, then continue checking once every 1-2 hours as you rehydrate.[4]
    • Alternative dosage: Babies under 2 years old can drink 12L (17floz) of ORS per day; children under 10 years old can drink 1L (34floz) of ORS per day; and children over 10 years old and adults can drink 3L (100floz) of ORS per day.[5]
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Section 2 of 3:

Homemade ORS Alternatives

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  1. 1

    Sports drink-based ORS Mix 112c (350mL) of a sports drink with 212c (590mL) of water and ½ tsp (3 g) of salt. If you’re using a low-calorie sports drink, use 1USqt (0.95L) of the beverage mixed with ¼ to ½ tsp (1.5 to 3 g) of salt.[6]

  2. 2

    Broth-based ORS Pour 4c (0.95L) of water into a container, along with 1 broth cube, ¼ tsp (1.5 g) of salt, and 2 tbsp (25 g) of sugar. Stir everything together, wait for the ingredients to dissolve, and then start sipping from the mixture.[7]

    • Liquid broth alternative: Combine 2c (0.47L) of beef broth, chicken broth, or vegetable broth with 2c (0.47L) of water and 2 tbsp (25 g) of sugar.
    • Miso paste alternative: Mix 4c (0.95L) of water with 7 tsp (39 g) of miso paste and 1 tbsp (12.5 g) of sugar.
  3. 3

    Juice-based ORS Mix 414c (1.0L) of water, 1c (240mL) of orange juice, 8 tsp (33.5 g) of sugar, ¾ tsp (3.7 g) of baking soda, and ½ tsp (3 g) of salt together.[8]

    • Apple juice alternative: Mix 34c (180mL) of apple juice, 314c (0.77L) of water, and ½ to ¾ tsp (3 to 4.5 g) of salt together.
    • Tomato juice alternative: Mix 212c (590mL) of tomato juice and 112c (350mL) of water together.
    • Cranberry or grape juice alternative: Mix 34c (180mL) of juice, 314c (0.77L) of water, and ½ to ¾ tsp (3 to 4.5 g) of salt together.
  4. 4

    Cereal-based ORS Mix ½ cup (17.5 g) of dry (pre-cooked) baby rice cereal with 2c (470mL) of water, and ¼ tsp (1.5g) of salt. Once the ingredients are combined, stick the mixture in the refrigerator until it has a thick but pourable consistency.

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Section 3 of 3:

When should someone drink an ORS?

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  1. Drink an ORS when you’re experiencing diarrhea and/or vomiting. The purpose of an ORS drink is to help your body recover the fluids it loses through vomiting and diarrhea.[9] With this in mind, an oral rehydration solution can be a helpful way to recover from food poisoning.[10]

    • See a doctor if you have persistent diarrhea (for 3+ days), you vomit so much that you aren’t able to keep any liquids in your system, and/or you have symptoms of dehydration (like not passing urine, having a dry mouth, or experiencing dizziness).[11]

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      Tips

      • Medical professionals officially recommend using ORS packets (like Trioral or DripDrop).[12] You can also purchase premade ORS drinks (like Pedialyte).

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      • The BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) can help individuals rebound from bouts of diarrhea and vomiting since these foods are nutritious and easy on your stomach.[13]

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      Warnings

      • Be sure to use clean water when preparing an ORS drink.[14]

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      • Don’t give a child with diarrhea medication unless your doctor recommends or prescribes it.[15]

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      • Call your doctor right away if your child experiences any serious symptoms like bloody stool, abdominal pain, a lack of tears, infrequent urination, high fever, intense thirst, weight loss, and/or frequent vomiting.[16]

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      • A typical case of diarrhea goes away within a week. Call your doctor if you experience diarrhea for longer than this.[17]

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      About This Article

      How to Make an Oral Rehydration Salts Drink (ORS): 5+ Recipes (17)

      Co-authored by:

      Claudia Carberry, RD, MS

      Registered Dietitian

      This article was co-authored by Claudia Carberry, RD, MS and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Claudia Carberry is a Registered Dietitian specializing in kidney transplants and counseling patients for weight loss at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She is a member of the Arkansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Claudia received her MS in Nutrition from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 2010. This article has been viewed 818,369 times.

      3 votes - 67%

      Co-authors: 29

      Updated: June 12, 2024

      Views:818,369

      Categories: Featured Articles | Dehydration | Nausea and Vomiting

      Article SummaryX

      An oral rehydration salts drink, or ORS, is a special solution that you can use to rehydrate after severe diarrhea or vomiting. To make your own ORS drink, wash your hands with soap and water and grab a clean pitcher or bottle. Mix together ½ teaspoon (about 2 g) of table salt and 2 tablespoons (25 g) of granulated sugar in your container, then add 1 liter (about 4 cups) of clean drinking water. Stir the mixture vigorously for about 1 minute, or until all the salt and sugar are dissolved. Store any of the mixture that you don’t drink right away in the fridge for up to 24 hours. To learn how to prevent severe dehydration with an oral rehydration salt drink, scroll down!

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      How to Make an Oral Rehydration Salts Drink (ORS): 5+ Recipes (2024)

      FAQs

      How to make your own ORS solution? ›

      Cereal-Based • ½ cup dry baby rice cereal, cooked • 2 cups water • ¼ teaspoon table salt • Combine ingredients. Mix until well dissolved & smooth. Refrigerate. Solution should be thick, but pourable & drinkable.

      How is the ORS drink prepared? ›

      ORS comes prepared in sachet form. Empty the entire content of one ORS sachet into 250mls of cool boiled water, and mix thoroughly. The solution should be given to infants and young children using a clean spoon or cup. Feeding bottles should not be used.

      How to make a rehydration drink at home? ›

      Mix clean water, salt, and sugar together to make a homemade ORS. Stir ½ tsp (3 g) of table salt and 2 tbsp (25 g) of sugar into 4 14 c (1.0 L) of water. To improve the flavor, mix in some water flavoring. If you have a premade ORS packet: Stir a packet of premade ORS into 1 L (34 fl oz) of water.

      Does homemade ORS work? ›

      A very suitable and effective simple solution for rehydrating a child can also be made by using salt and sugar, if these ingredients are available. If possible, add 1/2 cup orange juice or some mashed banana to improve the taste and provide some potassium.

      What is the best homemade electrolyte? ›

      Lemon-pomegranate electrolyte drink recipe
      • 1/4 tsp. salt.
      • 1/4 cup pomegranate juice.
      • 1/4 cup lemon juice.
      • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut water.
      • 2 cups cold water.
      • Additional options: sweetener, powdered magnesium and/or calcium, depending on needs.

      What can I give my child instead of ORS? ›

      What if ORS is not available? Give the child a drink made with 6 level teaspoons of sugar and 1/2 level teaspoon of salt dissolved in 1 litre of clean water.

      Is it OK to give ORS to kids? ›

      Give small amounts of liquid often. For children under 1 year of age: use a spoon or syringe to give 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) of an ORS, breastmilk, or formula every 5 to 10 minutes. For older than 1 year of age: give ½ to 1 ounce (1 to 2 tablespoons or 15 to 30 mL) every 20 minutes for a few hours.

      What is an oral rehydration solution for kids? ›

      An oral rehydration solution (ORS) is a mixture of water, salts and sugar in specific amounts. These solutions can be absorbed even when your child has large amounts of diarrhea or is vomiting. Oral rehydration solutions can be used to: keep children well hydrated when they have significant amounts of diarrhea.

      What are the ingredients of ORS? ›

      Oral rehydration solution (ORS) is an oral powder–containing mixture of glucose sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and sodium citrate. After being dissolved in the requisite volume of water they are intended for the prevention and treatment of dehydration due to diarrhea, including maintenance therapy.

      How to make a hydrate solution? ›

      (Home Solution)

      Need 1 liter container: ½ teaspoon table salt ¼ teaspoon salt substitute ½ teaspoon baking soda 2 tablespoons table sugar Add tap water to make 1 liter Directions: Use household measuring spoons, not silverware, to measure the ingredients. To the 1 liter container, add about ½ of the needed water.

      Can I drink ORS every day? ›

      You can take ors everyday if you have symptoms like loose motions and vomiting or take high water content foods like watermelon, kiwi, oranges, cucumber, tomato etc . Drink lot of water everyday. Suggestions offered by doctors on Lybrate are of advisory nature i.e., for educational and informational purposes only.

      How to make ORS at home for kids? ›

      Frequently Asked Questions
      1. Clean Water - 1 litre - 5 cupfuls (each cup about 200 ml.)
      2. Sugar - Six level teaspoons.
      3. Salt - Half level teaspoon.
      4. Stir the mixture till the sugar dissolves.

      Can you make oral rehydration solution at home? ›

      Ingredients: Half (1/2) teaspoon of Salt. Six (6) teaspoons of Sugar. One Litre of clean drinking or boiled water and then cooled – 5 cupfuls (each cup about 200 ml.)

      Can I just add salt to water for electrolytes? ›

      During exercise or sweating, not only water but also electrolytes like sodium are lost. Adding a small amount of salt to your drinking water helps replenish these lost electrolytes, promoting better water absorption and preventing dehydration.

      What is the alternative to ORS solution? ›

      Note: Studies have found that for children aged 2 years or older, who are only a little dehydrated, diluted (half strength) apple juice is a good alternative to oral rehydration salts. Apple juice is more acceptable to children/tamariki, meaning that they are more likely to drink it and not need other treatment.

      What is the ratio of home made ORS? ›

      Clean Water - 1 liter - 5 cupfuls (each cup about 200 ml.) Sugar - Six level teaspoons (1 teaspoon = 5grams) Salt - Half-level teaspoon. Stir the mixture till the sugar dissolves.

      Can I use bottled water for ORS? ›

      An ORS contains 3 ingredients: Clean water that has been boiled or disinfected or from a commercially sealed bottle.

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