"gastro" is caused by many different things, if it's caused by a virus then drinking red cordial isn't going to do anything. and the virus is spread by contact and from the sneezing/coughing that's why when we have outbreaks in the hospital we separate the patients and CONSTATLY wash our hands.

gastro can also be spread by bacteria from improperly heated foods etc.. and from unsanitary water. so to solve that problem make sure you always drink bottled water or bol the water. and makes reu food is heated to the proper temperature before eating.

i've also read that consuming probiotics, like yakult can help prevent some forms of gastro and help people get over it if they've already gotit, but improving the good bacteria in your gut.

Crazy advice,

Sugar will depress the little ones immune system making them more susceptible to sickness...  sure sugar at the right concentration will kill almost anything, just think of what it is doing to the friendly bacteria.

Google kefir, try and build up there immune system and intestinal flora, and just be careful what your little one eats.

Which natropath was it?

Right, this is going to sound strange, but got this info off a travel show of all things.

Raspberry cordial is recommended to take when camping for emergencies.  Why?  So that any water you find can be mixed with it and it will kill most of the bugs in the water.  It is recommended over boiling water as there are chemical reactions that take place in the bacteria that turn them toxic.

I don't know about it preventing gastro in the urban world, but worth a try.

as far as i can tell, "Cascade Cordial" is just another brand of cordial.

Suger can be used as a preservitive, you could just eat two tea spoons of suger  

have you ever been to bali? The way poeple avoide "bali belly" is to have a shoot of vodia or gin