Twelve home remedies for stomach pain

Drinking water and avoiding spicy foods are two home remedies that can help relieve stomach and abdominal pain. If these do not work, there are over-the-counter and prescription medications available.

Common symptoms of indigestion and upset stomach include:

nausea caused by heartburn or acid reflux

bloating and gas belching, occasionally bringing up bitter or foul-tasting fluid or food farting bad-smelling or sour breath hiccupping or coughing

This article examines 12 of the most popular home remedies for indigestion and upset stomach. We also discuss when you should see a doctor.

Stomach pain is a pain or ache that occurs anywhere between the chest and the groin.

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This pain can vary in intensity and affect various areas of the abdomen, including:

• appendix
• liver
• gallbladder
• stomach
• pancreas
• bowel

Stomach pain can range in severity and have a number of causes.

There are a number of well-known home remedies for indigestion. Some remedies may also help with stomach upset caused by other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome.

1. Drinking water

Water is required by the body in order to digest and absorb nutrients from foods and beverages. Dehydration makes digestion more difficult and ineffective, increasing the likelihood of stomach upset.

Drinking water may also help reduce heartburn.

Males and females should drink 6-8 cups of water per day, according to the National Health Service in the United Kingdom. Other organizations' recommendations, such as drinking 4-6 cups of water per day, may differ.

Food will account for approximately 20% of this, with beverages accounting for the remainder. Aiming for 8 or more cups of water per day is a good goal for most people. Children under the age of five require slightly less water than adults:

• 4 cups of water per day for children aged 1-3 years.
• 5 cups of water per day for children aged 4 to 8.
• Children aged 8 and up: 7-8 cups of water per day.

It is critical for those suffering from digestive issues to stay hydrated. Vomiting and diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration, so people experiencing these symptoms should stay hydrated.

Advantages and disadvantages

Drinking water can aid digestion and keep you hydrated.

Some people, however, may forget to drink water throughout the day. Furthermore, some people may prefer the flavor of other beverages.

2. Refrain from lying down

Avoiding lying down may help prevent indigestion from progressing to heartburn.

When the body is horizontal, stomach acid is more likely to travel backward and upward, causing heartburn.

People suffering from a stomach ache should avoid lying down or going to bed for at least a few hours until the symptoms subside.

Advantages and disadvantages

If a person performs daily activities, avoiding lying down may be a convenient remedy.

This remedy, however, may not be appropriate if a person experiences stomach pain while resting or sleeping.

3. Ginger

Ginger may help to reduce nausea and vomiting in pregnant women and those undergoing chemotherapy.

If you have an upset stomach, try adding ginger to your food or drinking it as a tea. Some all-natural ginger ales may also contain enough ginger to relieve stomach upset.

Ginger tea is widely available in supermarkets and on the internet.

Advantages and disadvantages

Ginger may help reduce nausea in pregnant women, according to research.

Larger doses of ginger, on the other hand, may cause side effects such as gas, heartburn, indigestion, and abdominal discomfort.

4. The BRAT diet

People suffering from diarrhea may be advised by their doctors to follow the BRAT diet.

BRAT is an acronym that stands for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. These foods may reduce the number of stools a person passes and aid in the relief of diarrhea.

Because these foods are bland, they contain no irritants to the stomach, throat, or intestines. As a result, the acids in vomit can cause tissue irritation, which this diet can alleviate.

Many of the foods in the BRAT diet are also high in nutrients like potassium and magnesium, which can be replaced by diarrhea and vomiting.

Advantages and disadvantages

The BRAT diet may aid in the hardening of stools as well as the reduction of diarrhea and dehydration. This may help to alleviate stomach cramps caused by loose stools.

However, because people may not consume all of the necessary nutrients through the food in this diet, it may not be suitable for the long term.

5. Refraining from smoking and drinking alcohol

Smoking and drinking alcohol can cause indigestion and other gastrointestinal problems, such as gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD).

Advantages and disadvantages

Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption improves people's quality of life and lowers their risk of developing certain health problems, such as cancer.

However, quitting smoking and drinking alcohol can be difficult, and some people may require additional assistance.

6. Avoiding hard-to-digest foods

According to research, the following foods may increase the risk of indigestion:

• fatty or acidic foods
• wheat products
• fruit and fruit juices such as watermelon
• spicy foods
• greasy foods

Advantages and disadvantages

Avoiding difficult-to-digest foods may help to relieve stomach discomfort and pain. Furthermore, more easily digestible foods, such as fruits and vegetables, may aid in the promotion of a healthy, balanced diet.

Avoiding richer or heavily preserved foods, on the other hand, may be more difficult for people who do not have the time to source fresher food or who live in a food desert.

7. Water, lime or lemon juice, and baking soda

According to some studies, mixing lime or lemon juice in water with a pinch of baking soda can help relieve heartburn and indigestion by decreasing stomach acidity.

Advantages and disadvantages

While this home remedy may relieve stomach upset, it may not taste pleasant. Furthermore, consuming too much baking soda may result in:

• shallow or slow breathing
• muscle twitching
• muscle spasms

8. Figs

Figs contain laxatives, which help to relieve constipation and promote healthy bowel movements. Figs also have compounds that may help with indigestion.

Advantages and disadvantages

Figs are available in a variety of forms, including fig leaves, food, and paste.

However, because figs have laxative properties, people who are experiencing diarrhea should avoid eating them.

9. Aloe vera juice

Although the evidence for these benefits is limited, aloe vera may help reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and colitis.

Advantages and disadvantages

Researchers discovered that people who drank 10 milliliters (ml) of aloe vera syrup daily for four weeks experienced relief from the following GERD symptoms:

• heartburn
• flatulence and belching
• nausea and vomiting
• acid and food regurgitation

Consuming aloe vera, on the other hand, may cause abdominal pain and cramps.

10. Basil

Basil contains compounds that may help to reduce gas.

Basil leaves are also high in linoleic acid, which has anti-inflammatory properties.

Advantages and disadvantages

Basil can usually be found in grocery stores, gardening stores, and online.

Those living in food deserts, on the other hand, may have to rely on online stores if fresh basil is difficult to come by.

11. Licorice

Products containing licorice root may aid in the relief of digestive symptoms. However, experts disagree on the role of licorice in these products.

If you have an upset stomach, drink licorice root tea several times a day until your symptoms improve.

Advantages and disadvantages

Licorice root teas are widely available online, but you can make your own at home by combining 1 or 2 teaspoons of licorice root powder with boiling water.

Licorice, on the other hand, can have negative side effects such as an increase in blood pressure and a decrease in potassium levels. This is especially risky for people who have high blood pressure, kidney or heart disease.

12. Rice

Plain rice, along with other low FODMAP foods, may be beneficial for those experiencing stomach pain due to irritable bowel syndrome.

Rice is also included in the BRAT diet, which doctors may recommend.

Advantages and disadvantages

Rice is often one of the more affordable foods available in bulk at many grocery stores.

White rice consumption, on the other hand, may increase the risk of metabolic syndrome. The risk, however, may increase with frequent or regular consumption and may not affect those who consume white rice to relieve stomach pain.

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