Indigestion is the uncomfortable feeling of fullness and pressure in your stomach after eating certain foods. Especially fatty, greasy, or spicy foods. It can be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, heartburn, belching, and bloating. If you are suffering from indigestion you may try to relieve it by taking antacids or other over-the-counter medications. However, there are also natural remedies for indigestion that will help you treat the underlying causes of your indigestion and get rid of it for good.
Causes of indigestion
There are many causes of indigestion. Foods that are hard on your stomach, and too much food can both cause acid reflux or heartburn. Other common causes include spicy foods, greasy foods, high-fat foods and fried foods.
Some medications can also cause indigestion. Hiatal hernia is a condition in which part of your stomach protrudes through an opening in your diaphragm into your chest cavity and puts pressure on your oesophagus.
The oesophagus is the muscular tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. When stomach acids move to the oesophagus it can lead to heartburn.
Gastritis is an inflammation of the lining of your stomach, which can cause discomfort or pain when you eat food or drink beverages that irritate it. Heartburn is one symptom of gastritis.
Natural Remedies for Indigestion
Certain foods can cause indigestion. They don’t always have a negative effect on digestion, but they do tend to create some issues when consumed in high quantities. It can also create an issue after a period of fast eating. Before getting into Natural Remedies for Indigestion, keep these tips in mind:
- Chew slowly and carefully
- Pay attention to what you’re eating
- Eat slowly enough that your body has time for normal digestion. After all, it takes between 20 and 30 minutes for the food to be broken down by stomach acids into its basic components like proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
Activated Charcoal
One of the reasons activated charcoal is so effective at treating digestive issues is that it is a powerful adsorbent. This means it grabs onto toxins, which in turn helps relieve symptoms by neutralizing them before they can have any negative effect on your system.
Be aware that activated charcoal works best when taken on an empty stomach. So if you do plan on trying it out as a home remedy for indigestion, be sure you take it early in your day and at least an hour before eating anything else.
For some people, its effects can be slightly constipating. You may also want to try drinking lots of water with your activated charcoal to help prevent constipation.
If you experience nausea or vomiting after taking activated charcoal then it’s likely because there are other toxins present in your body that haven’t been absorbed yet. In these cases, taking another dose might not be a good idea.
Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe vera juice is one of the most excellent natural remedies for indigestion. It soothes an upset stomach by coating and protecting your stomach lining from irritation and infection. As a result, it helps you digest food better so that you can get rid of gas, nausea and vomiting.
How to make aloe vera juice:
- Cut off a leaf and scoop out its gel
- Mix 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel with 8 ounces of water
- Drink it once daily until your symptoms subside
You can also make yourself a tea using 1 teaspoon of dried aloe vera leaves per cup of boiling water. Steep for 5 minutes before drinking twice daily.
Apple Cider Vinegar
This all-natural remedy has been used for ages. Studies have shown that it helps manage digestion and prevents nausea.
How to make the mixture:
- Mix a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water
- Drink immediately before meals or snacks.
Alternatively, try these homemade recipes:
- Pour one cup of hot water over 1⁄2 tablespoon of grated ginger, 1⁄4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and 1 tablespoon of honey.
- Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and stir until honey dissolves
- Add 1⁄2 cup ice cubes if desired.
- Drink once daily before breakfast as a detoxifying tonic to boost metabolism and promote weight loss.
Bentonite Clay
It is a Natural Way to Treat Indigestion and Upset Stomachs Without Medicine. If you’re looking for a natural way to treat indigestion and upset stomachs, look no further than bentonite clay.
Bentonite clay is a mild antacid that can help neutralize the acid in your stomach and reduce heartburn. This unique clay can also absorb toxins from your body, such as bile or food particles that may have been left over after you eat. Additionally, it is known for aiding digestion by balancing out digestive enzymes while soothing an irritated colon, making it easier for waste products to pass through your body.
Here are some ways to use bentonite clay for treating indigestion:
- Mix 1 teaspoon of bentonite clay powder into 1 cup of water until well-mixed.
- Drink before meals to prevent indigestion or drink at night if you suffer from nighttime heartburn.
Alternately, Use 2 tablespoons of clay powder per day in smoothies, baked goods, soups, stews, casseroles and other recipes that call for flour as a thickener. You can also take 2 tablespoons of powdered clay mixed into apple juice once daily to keep your colon clean and free from harmful bacteria.
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint is often used as a digestive aid, so you can use it to treat indigestion and other common stomach issues. One study suggests that peppermint oil can be just as effective at relieving gastric discomfort caused by IBS as prescription medications.
How to prepare peppermint tea:
- Brew a cup of peppermint tea by steeping one teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves in hot water for three minutes.
This treatment will alleviate nausea, stomach pain, heartburn, and gas caused by indigestion.
You can also try supplementing your diet with foods that promote digestion like apples, carrots, ginger root, grapefruit juice and whole grains. These foods may help relieve gas and prevent uncomfortable symptoms like bloating or diarrhoea after eating.
Ginger Tea
Traditionally, ginger tea has been used as a natural remedy for nausea and upset stomach. It can also help calm an upset stomach caused by stress or anxiety. Consuming ginger tea is a good way to ease indigestion. Plus, it is easy to make:
- Just steep some fresh slices of ginger in hot water for 10 minutes
- Add honey or sugar if you wish
- Drink when it cools down enough.
How to prevent indigestion
There are some preventative measures you can take to lower your risk of indigestion.
- Chew food thoroughly: If you tend to swallow air when you eat, chew food thoroughly and drink beverages slowly. It may help reduce gas.
- Avoid overeating: You should also avoid overeating, which can cause discomfort for hours after a meal.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese can increase pressure on your stomach and digestive system which can lead to frequent indigestion issues.
- Drink more water: Water plays a key role in digestion. A lack of water in your body has been shown to lead to digestive issues such as bloating, diarrhoea, nausea and other stomach problems. Drink about eight glasses of water every day for optimal health.
Conclusion
Fortunately, natural remedies are a great way of treating indigestion. These include eating your meals at regular intervals and avoiding acidic foods.
Exercise is also beneficial for getting rid of indigestion. Simple exercises, such as walking, can help reduce symptoms. Exercise should be done on a daily basis in order to increase overall health.
Some people find that drinking warm water can help too. Try taking small sips regularly between meals in order to get rid of heartburn and acid reflux.
Even changing your diet can have a positive effect on your digestive system, for example, avoiding fatty foods, which can often worsen symptoms or cause extra discomfort.
If your symptoms are getting worse then you can try digestive enzymes like Aristozyme Syrup. Aristozyme Syrup is one of the most effective medicines for many digestive disorders. To know more about it, read 5 Amazing Aristozyme Syrup uses.
If your symptoms do not go away in a week then talk to your doctor about it.
