12 Effective Home Remedies To Ease Sour Stomach
Do you suffer from bloating, burping, and abdominal discomfort all the time? Is the severe pain in the abdominal region radiating up to your chest? If you have answered yes to the above questions, you may be suffering from a sour stomach. Sour stomach, also commonly known as indigestion, is a common ailment characterized by all these symptoms. Medically, this condition is caused due to the accumulation of excess amounts of hydrochloric acid in the digestive tract and stomach, which leads to severe acidity and heartburn (1).
A person suffering from sour stomach shies away from eating, which, in turn, leads to more acidity-related conditions. A sour stomach is an acute condition that can sometimes be persistent or recurrent. At times, it just disappears and returns after a few weeks. Many people just tolerate the pain and do nothing about this condition. If left untreated, it can lead to chronic conditions like ulcers and damage of the digestive tract.
The sooner you attend to this problem, the faster you can get rid of it. In this article, we have compiled a list of 12 home remedies for sour stomach relief. Read on!
Table Of Contents
Symptoms Of Sour Stomach
A person who suffers from sour stomach has the following symptoms:
- Nausea – Due to the accumulation of acid in the stomach, the sensation of vomiting persists throughout. It is also commonly referred to as queasiness, bilus, and “sick in the stomach”.
- Regurgitation – This is a reflux or backward flow of stomach contents into the esophagus, which can reach up as high as the throat. This leads to a burning sensation and sour taste in the esophagus and alimentary tract.
- Stomach Bloating – This refers to the sensation of feeling bloated or full even after a small meal. It is accompanied by gas in the stomach. This causes extensive cramps and belching. This is the most common symptom of a sour stomach (2, 3).
There are various causes that can lead to a sour stomach. The most common ones are listed below.
Causes Of Sour Stomach
- Overeating – Consuming more than you can digest leads to excess production of HCl, leading to acidity and sour stomach.
- Carbonated Beverages – Containing aerated gas and alcohol, carbonated beverages lead to the production of excess acid in the stomach.
- Spicy Foods – Spicy foods often lead to a burning sensation in the alimentary and digestive tracts, indicating the onset of a sour stomach.
- Foods That Weaken The Lower Esophegal Sphincter – Coffee, tea, chocolate, mint, citrus, dairy, etc.
- Medical Conditions – Occasionally, a persistent sour stomach may be caused due to gastritis and H. pylori.
How To Get Rid Of Sour Stomach – 12 Natural Remedies
- Apple Cider Vinegar For Sour Stomach
- Baking Soda For Sour Stomach
- Bananas For Sour Stomach
- Ginger Ale For Sour Stomach
- Chamomile Tea For Sour Stomach
- Cinnamon For Sour Stomach
- Green Tea For Sour Stomach
- Oatmeal For Sour Stomach
- Juices For Sour Stomach
- Olive Oil For Sour Stomach
- Papaya For Sour Stomach
- Yogurt For Sour Stomach
1. Apple Cider Vinegar For Sour Stomach
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- A glass of water
What You Have To Do
Mix the ACV and honey well in the water and drink this.
How Often You Need To Do This
Repeat after a few hours, if required.
Why This Works
Apple cider vinegar will counteract the extra acid being produced in the stomach and restore the stomach’s pH to its normal levels (4). It also relieves the discomfort and pain.
2. Baking Soda For Sour Stomach
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Half a glass of water
What You Have To Do
Mix the baking soda in the water and drink immediately.
How Often You Need To Do This
Repeat after four hours, if required.
Why This Works
Being a natural antacid, baking soda neutralizes the extra acid in the stomach. It promotes burping, thus relieving nausea and bloating in the stomach (5).
3. Bananas For Sour Stomach
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
Bananas
What You Have To Do
Eat a banana either before or after your meals.
How Often You Need To Do This
You can eat two to three bananas in a day.
Why This Works
Bananas are not only easy to digest, but they also smoothen the digestion process and relieve bloating. Their potassium content helps in easy absorption of food and better digestion (6). They also have high antioxidant potential (7).
4. Ginger Ale For Sour Stomach
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
Homemade ginger ale or ginger tea
What You Have To Do
Drink a glass of this whenever you are suffering from a sour stomach and indigestion
How Often You Need To Do This
Repeat as and when required.
Why This Works
Ginger ale is basically a carbonated drink that consists of ginger extracts. It relieves the indigestion and upset stomach quickly because of the phytochemicals present in ginger. These exert gastroprotective effects and enhance gastric mobility (8, 9). You will definitely burp and get rid of that nausea with this home remedy.
5. Chamomile Tea For Sour Stomach
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- 1-2 teaspoons dried chamomile or a tea bag
- A cup of hot water
What You Have To Do
- Steep the chamomile in the hot water for about 15 minutes.
- Strain and drink this decoction while its still warm.
How Often You Need To Do This
Drink two to three cups of chamomile tea in a day.
Why This Works
The phenolic compounds and terpenoids present in chamomile relax your digestive system. This tea gives relief from flatulence, stomach cramps, bloating, and indigestion. It also lowers gastric acidity (10).
6. Cinnamon For Sour Stomach
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- A cup of warm water
What You Have To Do
Mix the cinnamon powder in the water and sip this tea.
How Often You Need To Do This
You should get relief from your sour stomach in a few minutes. Repeat after an hour or so if required.
Why This Works
Cinnamon tea releases gas and relieves stomach bloating by stimulating the digestive system (11).
7. Green Tea For Sour Stomach
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- 1-2 teaspoons green tea leaves or a tea bag
- A cup of hot water
What You Have To Do
- Steep the green tea leaves for 5-10 minutes and strain.
- Drink this tea while it is warm. You can add a bit of honey and/or lemon.
How Often You Need To Do This
Have two to three cups of green tea in a day.
Why This Works
Green tea is known to be rich in antioxidants. Consuming green tea every day helps reduce the acidity levels in the stomach (12).
Caution
Avoid milk tea and milk products during sour stomach.
8. Oatmeal For Sour Stomach
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- 1 cup oatmeal
- Warm water
- 1-2 teaspoons honey (optional)
- Fruits like berries and bananas (optional)
What You Have To Do
- Prepare a bowl of oatmeal with warm water.
- Add honey and your choice of fruits, and eat it as a meal.
How Often You Need To Do This
Eat a bowl or two of oatmeal in a day.
Why This Works
Oatmeal is an ideal meal to have when you are suffering from stomach problems. It is an easy-to-digest food and also rich in fiber, which enhances the digestion process (13).
Caution
Do not use milk as it may irritate your stomach further.
9. Juices For Sour Stomach
[ Read: Home Remedies For Stomach Upset ]
(a) Apple Juice For Sour Stomach
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
Organic or pressed apple juice
What You Have To Do
Drink a cup of apple juice twice a day. In case you feel it is too harsh, you can dilute with water in the ratio 1:1
How Often You Need To Do This
Repeat for a few days for a healthy stomach.
Why This Works
Apple juice possesses gastroprotective effects that can help protect your stomach from increased release of stomach acids (14).
(b) Lemon Juice For Sour Stomach
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- A cup of warm water
What You Have To Do
Mix the lemon juice in the warm water and slowly sip it.
How Often You Need To Do This
Drink another cup after a few hours, if required.
Why This Works
Bloating, gas, and heartburn that are usually experienced when suffering from a sour stomach can be easily relieved with lemon juice water. Lemon juice improves digestion and enhances bile flow to the stomach (15). It also has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties (16).
(c) Aloe Vera Juice For Sour Stomach
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- Aloe vera leaf
- A glass of water
What You Have To Do
- Cut the aloe vera leaf at its base and let the sap ooze out. Now, place the leaf on a plate and cut through the middle to remove the aloe vera gel.
- Mix two tablespoons of this in a glass of water and drink it.
- You can store the rest of the gel for a week to 10 days in the refrigerator.
How Often You Need To Do This
Drink two glasses of fresh aloe vera juice in a day.
Why This Works
The gel contained within an aloe vera leaf is full of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It quickens the healing process of the sour stomach and aids digestion. It also has soothing effects on the inner lining of the digestive tract. Its alkaline nature will neutralize the excess acid in the stomach (17).
10. Olive Oil For Sour Stomach
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
What You Have To Do
Take this half an hour before having your meals.
How Often You Need To Do This
Do this before every meal.
Why This Works
Olive oil helps in digestion by stimulating the body to produce enough enzymes to digest the food properly. This, in turn, soothes an upset stomach and will help with digestion (18). Hence, it may also help with a sour stomach.
11. Papaya For Sour Stomach
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
A cup of fresh papaya
What You Have To Do
Eat papaya half an hour before your meals.
How Often You Need To Do This
Eat two to three cups in a day.
Why This Works
Papaya is a long term remedy for sour stomach. Consuming papaya will relieve all the symptoms of abnormal digestion like flatulence, bloating, and burning sensation (19).
12. Yogurt For Sour Stomach
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
Organic plain yogurt
What You Have To Do
Eat two to three cups of plain yogurt during the day. You can have it before meals, during meals, or even in between meals as a snack.
How Often You Need To Do This
Including yogurt in your daily diet will ensure proper functioning of the digestive system, even in the long run.
Why This Works
Yogurt is full of healthy bacteria that bring your digestion right back on track. These bacteria will control the overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria that are causing the excess acid production, flatulence, and bloating (20).
Apart from the above-listed sour stomach remedies, drinking sufficient amount of water will also give you relief from the sick feeling, helping you overcome the pain. Avoid normal or warm water. Instead consume chilled or cold water in a standing position to get instant relief.
Now that you know how to get rid of sour stomach, what are you waiting for? If your sour stomach isn’t getting cured by using the above-mentioned natural home remedies, it is advisable to consult your doctor. Also, individuals who experience recurrent sour stomach or suffer severe symptoms should consult a physician immediately.
Do not fear a sour stomach. Get rid of it! Share your favorite home remedies for sour stomach with us in the comments section.
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