12 Home Remedies For Sour Stomach: Causes And Prevention Tips

12 Home Remedies For Sour Stomach: Causes And Prevention Tips

Medically reviewed by Dr. Millie Lytle, ND, MPH
 by Pooja Karkala

Do you experience 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 having a sour stomach.

Sour stomach, also commonly known as indigestion, is a common condition characterized by all the above symptoms. This condition is caused due to the accumulation of excessive amounts of hydrochloric acid in the digestive tract and stomach, which leads to severe acidity and heartburn (1), (2).

Note:A sour stomach is an acute condition that can sometimes be persistent or recurrent. At times, it disappears and returns after a few weeks. If left untreated, it can lead to chronic conditions, like ulcers and damage to the digestive tract. Hence, it is important to treat this problem soon.

In this article, we have compiled a list of 12 home remedies for sour stomach relief. Read on!

Table Of Contents

How To Get Rid Of Sour Stomach – 12 Natural Remedies

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can help counteract the extra acid produced in the stomach and restore the stomach’s pH to its normal levels. Its use dates back to the 18th century for relieving stomach aches and discomfort (3).

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 in the water and drink this mixture.

How Often You Need To Do This

Repeat after a few hours if required.

2. Baking Soda

Baking soda is a commonly used home remedy for indigestion. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it neutralizes the extra acid in the stomach and relieves nausea and bloating in the stomach. However, scientific studies claim that consuming baking soda in excess can lead to cardiac problems and metabolic issues (4), (5). Hence, you need to consult a healthcare provider before trying this remedy. Do not follow it without medical supervision.

You Will Need
  • 1/2-1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 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.

3. Bananas

Banana is easy on the stomach. It has been used traditionally to treat stomach and digestion issues (6), (7).

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 2-3 bananas in a day.

4. Ginger Ale

Ginger ale is a carbonated drink that consists of ginger extracts. Ginger can help relieve indigestion and upset stomach due to the phytochemicals present in it (8), (9), (10). It may also help you burp and relieve nausea (11).

You Will Need

Homemade ginger ale or ginger tea

What You Have To Do

Drink a glass of ginger ale or tea whenever you experience a sour stomach or indigestion.

How Often You Need To Do This

Repeat as and when required.

5. Chamomile Tea

The phenolic compounds and terpenoids present in chamomile relax your digestive system. This tea can help relieve stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, and indigestion (12), (13), (14). It also has carminative properties and can relieve flatulence (15).

You Will Need
  • 1-2 teaspoons dried chamomile or a teabag
  • A cup of hot water
What You Have To Do
  1. Steep the chamomile in hot water for about 15 minutes.
  2. Strain and drink this decoction while it is warm.
How Often You Need To Do This

Drink 2-3 cups of chamomile tea in a day.

6. Cinnamon

Cinnamon exerts gastroprotective effects. It has been used for ages to treat indigestion, abdominal cramps, nausea, and flatulence (16).

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 on this tea.

How Often You Need To Do This

Repeat after an hour if required.

7. Green Tea

Green tea is rich in antioxidants. Consuming green tea every day can help prevent gastrointestinal disorders (17).

Caution: Avoid milk tea and milk products if you have a sour stomach.

You Will Need
  • 1-2 teaspoons green tea leaves or a teabag
  • A cup of hot water
What You Have To Do
  1. Steep the green tea leaves or teabag for 5-10 minutes and strain.
  2. 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 2-3 cups of green tea in a day.

8. Oatmeal

Oatmeal can help soothe stomach problems. It is an easy-to-digest food and also rich in fiber. It possesses potential prebiotic properties, which contribute to gut health (18).

Caution: Do not use milk as it may irritate your stomach further.

You Will Need
  • 1 cup oatmeal
  • Warm water
  • 1-2 teaspoons honey (optional)
  • Fruits like berries and bananas (optional)
What You Have To Do
  1. Prepare a bowl of oatmeal with warm water.
  2. Add honey and fruits of your choice and eat it as a meal.
How Often You Need To Do This

Eat a bowl or two of oatmeal a day.

9. Juices For Sour Stomach

(a) Apple Juice

Apple contains pectin, a fiber that can help enhance digestion and improve the intestinal environment, leading to better gastrointestinal health (19).

You Will Need

Organic or pressed apple juice

What You Have To Do

Drink a cup of apple juice. You can also dilute it with water in the ratio 1:1 if you feel it is too thick.

How Often You Need To Do This

Do this 2 times a day for a few days.

(b) Lemon Juice

Lemon juice has antacid effects (20). It can help relieve bloating, gas, and heartburn. It improves digestion and enhances bile flow to the stomach. Lemon juice also has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties (21). These properties protect your stomach from infections.

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 sip on it.

How Often You Need To Do This

Drink another cup after a few hours if required.

(c) Aloe Vera Juice

A study found that aloe vera juice could help reduce symptoms of GERD, like belching, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and acid and food regurgitation (22).

You Will Need
  • Aloe vera leaf
  • A glass of water
What You Have To Do
  1. Cut the aloe vera leaf at its base and let the sap ooze out. Place the leaf on a plate and cut through the middle to remove the aloe vera gel.
  2. Mix two tablespoons of this in a glass of water and drink it.
  3. 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 2 glasses of fresh aloe vera juice every day.

10. Olive Oil

Olive oil was found to help relieve constipation in patients (23). These properties may also soothe an upset stomach and help with digestion. Hence, it may also help with a sour stomach.

You Will Need

1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

What You Have To Do

Take this half an hour before your meals.

How Often You Need To Do This

Do this before every meal.

11. Papaya

Papaya is a long-term remedy for sour stomach. Consuming papaya can relieve symptoms of abnormal digestion, like flatulence, bloating, and burning sensation (24).

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 2-3 cups a day.

12. Yogurt

Yogurt contains probiotics that control the overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria that are causing excess acid production, flatulence, and bloating (25).

You Will Need

Organic plain yogurt

What You Have To Do

Eat 2-3 cups of plain yogurt during the day. You can have it before meals, during meals, or in between meals as a snack.

How Often You Need To Do This

Include yogurt in your daily diet.

Apart from the above-listed sour stomach remedies, drinking a sufficient amount of water can help. Keep yourself hydrated, and do not consume extremely spicy food.

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 food than you can digest leads to excess production of hydrochloric acid, leading to acidity and sour stomach.
  • Carbonated Beverages – They contain aerated gas and alcohol, which 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 Esophageal Sphincter – Coffee, tea, chocolate, mint, citrus, dairy, etc.
  • Medical Conditions – Occasionally, a persistent sour stomach may be caused due to gastritis and pylori.

Symptoms Of Sour Stomach

A person who has a sour stomach has the following symptoms:

  • Nausea – The accumulation of acid in the stomach causes a sensation of vomiting. It is also commonly referred to as queasiness or bilus.
  • Regurgitation – This is reflux or backward flow of the 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.

If you don’t find relief from a sour stomach after using the above-mentioned natural home remedies, consult your healthcare provider immediately. Also, individuals who experience recurrent sour stomach or have severe symptoms should consult a physician immediately to test for any underlying chronic causes.

25 sources

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Pooja Karkala

Pooja is a Mass Communications and Psychology graduate. Her education has helped her develop the perfect balance between what the reader wants to know and what the reader has to know. As a classical dancer, she has long, black hair, and she knows the struggle that goes into maintaining it. She believes in home remedies and grandma’s secrets for achieving beautiful, luscious hair. When she is not writing, she learns Kuchipudi, practices yoga, and creates doodles.
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