15 Home Remedies For Indigestion, Relief Tips, & Foods To Take

Explore natural ways to deal with the symptoms and manage your gut health before popping a pill.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Millie Lytle, ND, MPH
Written by Sucharita Mishra, MSc (Biotechnology)
Edited by Arshiya Syeda, BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma
Fact-checked by Dipti Sharma, MA (English)  • 

If you have been dealing with overeating and stomach discomfort a bit too often, it is time to try out some effective home remedies for indigestion before you pop in that antacidi  XA medicine to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach and provide relief from indigestion, heartburn, and upset stomach. again. Though common and harmless, indigestion is a medical condition that may lead to nausea, bloating, and a burning sensation. Frequent bouts of indigestion may lead to certain chronic health issues in the long term. Read on to know more about the natural home remedies that can help you deal with and treat indigestion.

What Causes Indigestion?

An unhealthy eating habit is the main cause of your upset stomach. However, there are a few other causes that may lead to dyspepsia. They include:

  • Overeating
  • Eating spicy and greasy food
  • Lying down immediately after a meal
  • Smoking
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Certain medications like aspirin and ibuprofen
  • Medical conditions like acid reflux disease, gastric cancer, pancreatic abnormalities, or peptic ulcers

Indigestion is often confused with acid reflux. Amidst the nuances of gastrointestinal distress, distinguishing these conditions is crucial, so scroll below to learn more about it!

Indigestion Vs. Acid Reflux

Indigestion and acid reflux are often confusing due to overlapping symptoms. Indigestion, or dyspepsia, encompasses symptoms like bloating, fullness, and nausea after meals, which is triggered by overeating or consuming spicy or fatty foods. Whereas, acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows into the esophagus, causing heartburn and regurgitation.

While indigestion is a broader term, acid reflux specifically refers to irritation caused by stomach acid. Indigestion can often result due to overeating or stress, while acid reflux is primarily due to a weak lower esophageal sphincter. Both conditions require proper diagnosis and management for effective relief.

Although bloating and nausea are common symptoms of such digestive issues, one may experience various other symptoms if they have indigestion. Some of the symptoms are listed below.

Signs And Symptoms Of Indigestion

  • Vomiting
  • Heartburn
  • Sudden feeling of fullness and discomfort after eating or during a meal
  • Burning sensation in the stomach
  • Abdominal pain or stomach cramps
  • Burping, flatulence, or gas
  • Blood in vomit
  • Weight loss
  • Food or acid regurgitation
  • Black stool

These symptoms are a clear sign that you are experiencing indigestion. However, you don’t have to worry. You can treat and even prevent indigestion with the help of some simple and effective home remedies that are listed below.

Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Indigestion

1. Baking Soda

Baking soda might provide some relief from indigestion
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Image: Shutterstock

Baking soda is believed to be a natural antacid. It may help treat indigestion by neutralizing stomach acid. However, there is no scientific research to back this claim.

You Will Need
  • 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
  • 1/2 glass of warm water
What You Have To Do
  1. Add half a teaspoon of baking soda to half a glass of water and mix well.
  2. Consume this mixture.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2-3 times a day for a couple of weeks.

Caution: You must not ingest baking soda if you feel full after a meal.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid (1). Acetic acid is a weaker acid as compared to hydrochloric acid. This acetic acid in ACV may help in buffering the acidity levels in the stomach.

You Will Need
  • 1-2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar
  • 1 glass of water
What You Have To Do
  1. Mix one to two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water.
  2. Add some honey if the flavor is too strong for your liking.
  3. Consume this solution.
How Often You Should Do This

Consume this solution 1-2 times a day. 


protip_icon Quick Tip
Although apple cider vinegar is safe, excessive or undiluted consumption can have adverse side effects, including tooth erosion, nausea, throat burn, etc.

3. Essential Oils

(a) Lemon Essential Oil

Lemon essential oil exhibits antibacterial and detoxifying properties (2). These properties may help in cleansing the digestive system and aid in treating indigestion.

You Will Need
  • 1 drop of lemon essential oil
  • 1 glass of water
What You Have To Do
  1. Add a drop of lemon essential oil to a glass of water and mix well.
  2. Consume this solution half an hour before you have your meal.
How Often You Should Do This

Consume this solution 2-3 times a day, preferably before every meal.

(b) Ginger Essential Oil

Ginger essential oil exhibits anti-inflammatory properties (3). These properties may make it an excellent remedy for gastrointestinal issues like indigestion.

You Will Need

1-2 drops of ginger essential oil

What You Have To Do
  1. Add a few drops of ginger essential oil to your favorite herbal tea.
  2. Consume it 20 to 30 minutes before your meal.
  3. If your indigestion is due to acid reflux, which is also known as acid indigestion, you may rub a few drops of ginger essential oil on your stomach for relief.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2-3 times a day. 

4. Milk

Milk might relieve indigestion
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Image: Shutterstock

Milk contains lactic acid, which is a weak acid (4). Its pH ranges between 6.5 – 6.7. This may help in neutralizing the stomach acids and treat indigestion.

Note: Full cream milk can lead to the production of more acid in the stomach (5). Hence, use fat-free skimmed milk if you have indigestion.

You Will Need

A cup of fat-free skim milk

What You Have To Do

Consume a cup of fat-free skim milk.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 1-2 times a day. 

5. Honey

Honey possesses anti-inflammatory properties (6). These anti-inflammatory properties may help in reducing inflammation and treating indigestion (7).

You Will Need
  • 1 teaspoon of organic honey or Manuka honey
  • 1 glass of water (optional)
What You Have To Do
  1. Add a teaspoon of organic honey to a glass of water and mix well.
  2. Consume this solution an hour before every meal.
  3. Alternatively, you can also consume a teaspoon of honey without mixing it with water.
How Often You Should Do This

Consume honey an hour before every meal and before going to bed daily. 

6. Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe vera exhibits anti-ulcer property. This may help in treating dyspepsia (8). A study showed that aloe vera syrup could be a safe and effective treatment for reducing the symptoms of GERD (9).

You Will Need

1/4 cup of aloe vera juice

What You Have To Do

Consume one-fourth cup of aloe vera gel.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 1-2 times a day, preferably before meals. 

Bob Nagy, a lifestyle vlogger, in one of his videos, shares his recipe of what he calls his “healing elixir” for gastrointestinal issues. The recipe incorporates aloe vera pulp, coconut water, glutamine, and sweetener. He says, “I get about three, two-ounce gulps out of it (through the night) and then I’ll have breakfast an hour later. So, that spreads out the dosing and also puts it into a stomach that doesn’t have much in it, plus it helps to bring down stomach acids during the course of the night. I know a lot of you have lost your gallbladder like me and that means that your acids are continuously dumping into the upper part here of your intestine and you want to sort of have something to knock that out, would be awfully nice, so it helps with that (i).”

7. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil contains saturated fats like lauric acidi  XA natural chemical compound that is a fatty acid and forms a major component in palm kernel oil and coconut oil. and capric acidi  XA naturally occurring fatty acid found in coconut and palm oils that has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. (10). These may soothe the stomach and digestive tract by neutralizing the microbes present in them. Moreover, coconut oil can be easily absorbed by the body (11). Thus, coconut oil may aid in treating indigestion.

You Will Need

1-2 tablespoons of 100% virgin coconut oil

What You Have To Do
  1. Consume one to two tablespoons of coconut oil by mixing them with your food.
  2. Additionally, you can also try and replace your normal cooking oil with coconut oil.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2-3 times a day. 

8. Fennel Seeds

Fennel seeds may soothe indigestion
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Image: Shutterstock

Fennel seeds contain volatile compounds, like myrcenei  XA colorless oily liquid that has a pleasant odor and is found in essential oils used in foods and beverages as a flavoring agent. , fenchonei  XA colorless natural chemical compound in the form of an oily liquid that smells similar to camphor and bitter taste. , chavicoli  XA colorless natural compound found in the oil of the leaves of the betel pepper and bay leaf that has long been used as an insecticide. , and cineolei  XA colorless liquid with a spicy and cooling taste that is used in essential oil for its fragrance and as a flavoring agent in food.

Lauric acid

. These compounds have digestive and carminativei  XA herb or a drug that prevents or relieves the formation of gas in the gastrointestinal tract and in turn abdominal pain. effects (12). Hence, fennel seeds may help in treating your stomach ache and indigestion.

You Will Need
  • 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds
  • 1 cup of water (optional)
What You Have To Do
  1. Consume a teaspoon of fennel seeds after every meal.
  2. Alternatively, you can also add a teaspoon of fennel seeds to a cup of hot water and consume it after allowing it to cool for a while.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this 3 times a day. 

9. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea exhibits anti-inflammatory properties. These properties may help in reducing the inflammation occurring due to indigestion (13). It may also relax the digestive tract muscles, thus facilitating digestion (14).

You Will Need
  • 1 teaspoon of chamomile tea
  • 1 cup of hot water
  • Honey
What You Have To Do
  1. Add a teaspoon of chamomile tea to a cup of hot water.
  2. Allow it to steep for 5 to 10 minutes.
  3. Strain and add some honey to the tea and consume it.
How Often You Should Do This

Consume chamomile tea 2 -3 times a day. 

10. Cinnamon

Cinnamon possesses antispasmodic properties (15). This may help in relaxing the muscles of the digestive tract. Cinnamon also exhibits anti-inflammatory properties (16). This may help reduce inflammation that occurs due to indigestion.

You Will Need
  • 1 inch of cinnamon stick
  • 1 cup of hot water
  • Honey
What You Have To Do
  1. Add an inch long cinnamon stick to a cup of steaming hot water.
  2. Allow it to steep for 5 to 10 minutes and then strain.
  3. Once the tea cools down a bit, add some honey and consume immediately.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2-3 times a day. 

11. Carbonated Water

Drink carbonated water to relieve indigestion
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Image: Shutterstock

Studies have found that carbonated water decreases satiety and improves dyspepsia (17). Hence, carbonated water may help in treating indigestion.

You Will Need

1 can of carbonated water

What You Have To Do

Sip on a can of carbonated water throughout the day.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this daily until you feel relief. 

12. Buttermilk

Buttermilk contains lactic acid (18). Lactic acid is known to be beneficial for the stomach and may treat indigestion and its symptoms.

You Will Need

1 cup of buttermilk

What You Have To Do

Consume a cup of cold buttermilk whenever you experience indigestion.

Note: You can also add some fennel powder to the buttermilk to increase its effectiveness.

How Often You Should Do This

Consume buttermilk after a meal or whenever you experience indigestion. 

13. Lemon And Ginger Tea

Both lemon and ginger exhibit powerful anti-inflammatory properties (19), (20). These properties may help in relieving inflammation and acidity in the stomach.

You Will Need
  • 1 inch of ginger
  • 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
  • 1 cup of hot water
  • Honey
What You Have To Do
  1. Add an inch of ginger to a cup of steaming hot water.
  2. Add a teaspoon of freshly extracted lemon juice to it.
  3. Allow it to steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain.
  4. Add some honey to the slightly warm tea and consume immediately.
How Often You Should Do This

Consume this tea 2-3 times a day or whenever you experience a sour stomach.

14. Black cumin Seeds

Black cumin seeds exhibit antibacterial properties and are widely used to treat dyspepsia (21).

You Will Need
  • 1 teaspoon of black cumin seeds
  • 1 cup of hot water
What You Have To Do
  1. Add a teaspoon of black cumin seeds to a cup of hot water.
  2. Let it steep for 5 to 10 minutes and strain.
  3. Consume the tea while it is warm.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this daily. 

15. Oatmeal

Oatmeal may provide relief from indigestion
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Oatmeal is a good source of dietary fiber (22). Hence, oatmeal may aid in digestion.

You Will Need

A bowl of cooked oatmeal

What You Have To Do

Consume a bowl of cooked oatmeal.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this once a day.

Although there are natural remedies to help treat indigestion, you can follow a few tips to speed up recovery.

Relief Tips

  • Have small meals at regular intervals instead of heavy meals.
  • Eat slowly.
  • Avoid spicy and fried foods.
  • Don’t lie down soon after eating.
  • Reduce alcohol and caffeine intake.
  • Get plenty of rest.
  • Stop taking medications that worsen your symptoms of indigestion.
  • Workout regularly.
protip_icon Quick Tip
Meditation and other relaxation methods like yoga may be beneficial if stress is causing your indigestion.

A survey involving 1,010 respondents aged 18 years and over revealed that the daily activities and quality of life of 40% of Americans were adversely affected by their uncomfortable bowel symptoms in the last year. These activities include exercising (19%), running errands (17%), and hanging out with friends and family (16%). 15% of them admitted that talking about their symptoms with their relatives or even a doctor would make them uncomfortable.

Some foods may help in treating indigestion and its symptoms. They are listed below.

Best Foods For Indigestion

  • Vegetables: Vegetables, such as green beans, asparagus, and broccoli, are low in fat and sugar and may treat indigestion.
  • Bananas: Banana is a prebiotici  XA type of food compound that induces the growth of beneficial microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, in your gut. that can help relieve symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders (23).
  • Melons: Melons are high alkaline foods that may help bring down the acidity in your stomach.
  • Egg Whites: Egg whites are not only low in acid content but are also a good source of protein, which makes them an ideal choice to combat indigestion.

Sick of indigestion and bloating? Clove tea and ajwain tea are great for relieving symptoms of indigestion and stomach discomfort. Watch this video to learn more!

Infographic: 4 Natural Ways To Treat Indigestion

Indigestion can be quite an annoying thing to deal with. While this is a common problem, it surely brings along a lot of inconvenience with symptoms like bloating and vomiting. If you constantly struggle with it, we have got you covered. Check out the infographic below for the top 4 simple and natural ways you can combat ingestion.

4 natural ways to treat indigestion (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

Overeating, spicy and greasy foods, smoking, lying down immediately after meals, certain medications, and some medical conditions may lead to indigestion. Typical signs of indigestion include feeling full belchingi  XThe body’s way of releasing excess air trapped in the stomach or upper digestive tract from the mouth. , heartburn, bloating, difficulty swallowing, burning sensation in the stomach, vomiting, and a feeling of fullness. You may use home remedies to relieve indigestion and its associated symptoms instead of opting for over-the-counter antacids every time you experience it. Baking soda, skimmed milk, honey, chamomile tea, fennel seeds, carbonated water, apple cider vinegar, and lemon ginger tea are some readily available ingredients that can help recover from indigestion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between heartburn and indigestion?

Heartburn is a condition in which a person experiences a burning sensation in the chest or behind the breastbone. Indigestion is a collection of symptoms caused due to overeating or a chronic digestive condition.

How long does indigestion last?

Indigestion may be severe for a few days or months and then less frequent or severe for the coming days, weeks, or months. It can disappear if you break bad habits – like eating on the run or drinking too much coffee.

Does walking help with indigestion?

Yes, anecdotal evidence suggests that walking after a meal helps digestion and reduces bloating and heartburn symptoms.

Is pineapple good for indigestion?

Yes, pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that helps in digesting proteins and relieves symptoms of indigestion (24)

Is cucumber good for indigestion?

There is limited research available in this regard. However, cucumber contains the protease enzyme (which helps digest protein-rich food) and is rich in water and fiber, which may help in aiding regular bowel movements and treating indigestion.

Key Takeaways

  • You may be facing indigestion due to consuming spicy food, not moving enough after meals, or smoking.
  • Apple cider vinegar, milk, and aloe vera juice are common ways to prevent stomach upset.
  • You may also use milk, fennel seeds, or honey to facilitate digestion and relax your stomach.
  • Simple tips like avoiding spicy and fried food and reducing caffeine intake are also great ways to keep stomach acidity at bay.
how to get rid of indigestion

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Personal Experience: Source

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

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