9 Little-Known Ways To Tackle Stomach Problems
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If there’s one health issue that is common enough for every single being on this planet, human and animals included, it’s stomach pain! A stomach ache can present itself in many forms – from indigestion to acid reflux, gastritis, and more (1).
The good thing about this tummy problem though is that it’s mostly harmless and goes away in a short period of time. Nonetheless, as long as it exists, it often results in a visit to the doctor’s office along with a small (but not insignificant) medical bill. However, you can save yourself both the visit and the cost associated with it if you try out these 9 natural remedies to heal yourself of your stomach ache!
1. Eat Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is an easy solution to your stomach issues. This natural anaesthetic helps in reducing tummy ache and discomfort (2). It can also help combat acidity, cure peptic ulcers, and destroy the harmful bacteria present in your gut. Plus, this spicy pepper also aids in digestion, so you can binge eat once in a while without worrying! Just remember to have this pepper along with your meal.
2. Do Yoga
Yoga has a cure for almost everything including stomach-related issues. You can try certain poses to speed up your digestion and peristalsis (read: the passage of food through the intestines). Besides, since yoga is calming and effective in reducing stress, it can help you deal with stress-induced digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (3). If you experience bloating and gas, you should try the pose Apanasana to get some relief.
3. Have Ginger
Ginger is extremely beneficial for your tummy (4). It brings down inflammation like an aspirin or any other NSAID (read: non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug) would. It also improves the circulation of blood, thereby improving digestion and ensuring the smooth passage of food into the digestive tract so nutrients can be better absorbed. Ginger can also provide relief from stomach pain by relaxing the muscles in your intestines.
4. Take A Spoonful Of Mustard With Meals
Mustard in any form would do – whether it’s in seeds or in sauce form. Mustard has anti-inflammatory properties, so having it with heavy meals can prevent and even cure stomach pain (5). Moreover, it also acts as an acid, which further makes it the best companion for rich meals and heavy-eating sprees!
5. Chew On Peppermint Leaves
Even terrible tummy pains can be managed with the help of peppermint! Due to its anti-spasmodic property, peppermint can calm down your stomach so you feel relieved and relaxed. Plus, peppermint serves as one single useful remedy for multiple stomach issues such as cramping, heartburn, indigestion, gas, nausea, and irritable bowel syndrome (6). If you don’t like chewing on raw leaves, you can have a drop or two of peppermint essential oil after consulting your doctor.
6. Have A Bowl Of Rice
Starchy foods such as rice, oats, potatoes, etc. can be real life-savers on the days when you have stomach issues but can’t figure out what to have for lunch! The starch in these foods forms a coating on your stomach, which, in turn, helps in easing digestion and soothing your tummy (7). The best part is not just that these foods are light on the belly but they also get digested quickly and hence, don’t cause issues like acid reflux.
7. Use A Hot Water Bottle
Applying heat to your stomach is an effective way to get relief from different kinds of stomach pains, including menstrual cramps. The heat from a warm compress or a hot water bottle can relax the muscles in your tummy, thereby effectively reducing aches and cramps (8). You can also use a hot electric blanket or microwaved sock filled with rice when nothing’s around to ease the tension in your tummy.
8. Sip On Club Soda
Ever wondered why a glass of soda is provided with almost every meal in a fast food chain? It’s because the sodium bicarbonate in soda aids in curing indigestion! The fizzy drink neutralizes the acid in your stomach, serving as an effective remedy for heartburn (9). Also, the carbon dioxide content of soda causes you to burp, thereby releasing the pressure in your tummy.
9. Pour A Drop Of Essential Oil In Your Navel
This remedy takes a different approach. When you pour a drop of an essential oil in your belly button, the oil tries to fight off the cause of your upset stomach such as bloating, constipation, gas, menstrual cramps, etc. to provide relief. There are plenty of essential oils for you to choose from in this regard, such as ginger, basil, peppermint, coconut, etc. These also improve digestion.
These remedies might seem odd at first but once you give them a shot, you’ll be swearing by them as you go-to cures for stomach pain!
