9 Natural Remedies to Ease Your Upset Stomach
Not many things can sideline you in a hurry like an upset stomach. Here’s how it starts, first you feel a little queasy and you think, “Is that my stomach?” And then you go into denial – “that’s probably just my imagination.” But the urge is getting stronger by the minute until you can no longer deny what’s about to happen if you don’t act quickly. So what do you do when you need a cure for an upset stomach, but have no commercial remedies at home? Sometimes you have to go “old school” and use what you have on hand.
1. Baking soda
You may not be able to “stomach” this remedy depending on your level of misery, i.e. how close you are to actually throwing up. Stir one teaspoon of baking soda into a cup of lukewarm water. Some find it goes down better if taken quickly, like a baking soda shot.
2. Ginger
It’s no coincidence that ginger ale calms the rumbling in your tummy; ginger for nausea and vomiting has been used for thousands of years in China. Ginger ale (must contain actual ginger), ginger tea or simply chewing on a piece of ginger root stops nausea.
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3. Peppermint
Peppermint has also been used for centuries to calm queasiness. It helps slow the muscle movements in the stomach to reduce spasms that contribute to nausea and vomiting. Peppermint tea, powder, and candy can all offer relief, but some may find that the candy is too sweet and contributes to nausea.
4. Rice
Moms have long used white or brown rice as a part of a food-based home remedy for diarrhea and nausea. Rice is a perfect food to help with digestive disorders because it is easily digested and soothes the stomach and digestive track.
5. Apple cider vinegar
The uses for apple cider vinegar are many and calming queasy stomachs is just one. Like the baking soda cure, mix 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of lukewarm water and swallow immediately. If you can’t stomach the taste, try adding a bit of honey.
6. Burnt toast
Plain toast, like crackers, is soothing to the stomach, but when something you ate is contributing to your nausea, burnt toast is even better. Like activated charcoal, the char on the toast soaks up toxins. Add a bit of jelly to hide the taste if it bothers you.
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7. Fennel
Aside from nausea, there are other digestive maladies like gas and bloating, and fennel can help with those. Fennel tea, fennel seeds, and raw fennel are all excellent sources for reducing gas and it also helps with nausea.
8. Heat
Placing a heating pad or hot water bottle on your tummy can ease nausea as it increases blood flow to the skin and away from the stomach to relieve the pain.
9. Papaya
Papaya is another food that aids in digestion. The secret ingredient is papain that works like your body’s natural digestive enzymes.
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Home remedies may have gone out of favor somewhat during the rise of other medical cures, but sometimes it is all you have, and many times the natural remedy is the best anyway.
Summary: Your home and pantry host a wealthy of healing substances that you may not even be aware of.