There are many causes of an upset stomach, including eating too much, eating too fast, consuming fatty or greasy foods, eating spicy food, having too much caffeine, consuming fizzy beverages, nervousness, and even smoking. The list is actually quite long.
An upset stomach can be quite troubling, especially if you are out and about. You feel sick, uncomfortable, your pants seem to have shrunk instantly, and all you ready want to do is be home. Instead of being miserable and falling victim to your upset stomach, try some of these home remedies that can help relieve you of your woes.
20 home remedies for an upset stomach
1. Apple cider vinegar: Although potent in taste, apple cider vinegar is a great natural remedy for an upset stomach. Apple cider vinegar may help with the absorption of starch, which can keep the stomach feeling good. Also, because sometimes stomach problems can occur due to a lack of acid, adding some in may be beneficial.
For best results, have a tablespoon of the liquid, but feel free to mix it with some water if the taste is too strong.
2. White rice: Bland, white rice may not seem appetizing, but it’s good for an upset stomach. Rice can help absorb fluid, which may be lost if you’re suffering from diarrhea. It can also make your stomach feel better because the starch coats your stomach.
3. Ginger: Ginger has been used for centuries to calm feelings of nausea and vomiting. As a natural remedy for an upset stomach, ginger works as an anti-inflammatory and eases the stomach.
By drinking an all-natural ginger ale or steeping ginger as a tea, you can reap the benefits of ginger as a home remedy for an upset stomach.
4. Bananas: Whether you have constipation, diarrhea, or just have issues with your stomach, reach for this yellow fruit as a food for an upset stomach. Bananas can help firm up stool or make you go, depending on the issue you’re experiencing. Bananas can also make you feel full if you aren’t eating much of anything else and provide you with potassium, which can also make you feel stronger.
5. Water: We should all be drinking water on a regular basis because our bodies require it to function. But if your stomach isn’t feeling the best, water is even more essential. If you have feelings of bloating, water can help move things along and relieve some of that bloat.
Additionally, if you are vomiting or have diarrhea, you need to replenish the lost fluids. Lastly, water will help remove waste and bacteria, which may be the reason your stomach is having issues in the first place. Basically, always drink water for optimal health, especially as a natural remedy for an upset stomach.
6. Toast: When your stomach is feeling angry, you need to give up the notion that carbs are the enemy. As a food for an upset stomach, toast is easily digested and won’t put added strain on your stomach. Although eating charred food generally isn’t advised, it’s OK if the toast looks a tad blackened. Charred toast has been noted to help with nausea as well.
7. Aloe juice: Commonly used in the treatment of burns, aloe juice is a home remedy for an upset stomach. Aloe juice can coat the stomach and reduce heartburn and stomach aches.
Too much aloe may have laxative effects, so if you’re having diarrhea, it’s not recommended.
8. Mint: Mint is a natural remedy for an upset stomach. Not only can it relieve bloating, but it can reduce cramping as well. Peppermint is also helpful in aiding digestive issues—and both can be consumed in a soothing tea form for optimal results.
9. Heating pad: Applying a heating pad on your stomach is a home remedy for an upset stomach. It can ease cramps and pains and help things move along the intestines. Heat is also helpful in soothing and relaxing the muscles of the stomach, which can bring down the pain.
Apply a heating pad sparingly though—you don’t want to cause any burns.
10. Applesauce: Of course, when choosing an applesauce for treating an upset stomach, you want to be as natural as possible. Added sugars and ingredients will only make your stomach issues worse. But when you do find a good applesauce, it’s an effective food for an upset stomach. Because whole apples may be harder to digest, going for an applesauce will not strain your already sickened stomach. Also, applesauce may aid in reducing diarrhea.
11. Chamomile tea: Known to contain some anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe the stomach lining. Smooth muscle of the upper digestive tract will also become relaxed, helping to relieve pain.
12. Rice tea: Considered very effective for settling an upset stomach due to a particular food you may have eaten. Rice tea is said to have a unique flavor similar to milk.
13. BRAT diet: An acronym representing banana, rice, applesauce, and toast. These are food products that together help get rid of an upset stomach. An illness causing upset stomach benefits most from these particular items.
14. Peppermint: Effective in remedying various stomach conditions and an upset stomach. It also has a menthol-like effect that may act as a sort of analgesic, helping relieve pain.
15. Lemon water: The acidic nature of citrus fruit can help stimulate the construction of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. This will aid in the breakdown of food for easier digestion.
16. Fennel seeds: Upset stomach caused by indigestion can be helped by this tasty seed. Fennel seeds contain anethole, an organic substance in the form of a volatile oil that aids in the production of digestive juices. It may also act as an anti-inflammatory agent to help soothe the stomach lining.
17. Yogurt: A very common remedy for an upset stomach, but the kind you choose will dictate how well it works as a remedy. Yogurts with live bacterial cultures such as lactobacillus help improve the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut for faster digestion.
18. Fenugreek seeds: Contain mucilage that helps promote more solid and regular stools.
19. Cinnamon: A common spice used in many sweets, it can also be used to treat an upset stomach. This spice is great for stimulating the digestive system to lessen gastrointestinal discomfort and help pass stool much easier.
20. Activated charcoal: Effective at relieving an upset stomach, it acts very much in the same vein as burnt toast. The activated charcoal will search out for toxins causing the problems and remove them from the body
When do you need to see a doctor?
If your stomach problems appear infrequently, then trying these 20 home remedies for an upset stomach will get you back to feeling good and heading out to enjoy the nicer weather. But when should you see a doctor about your stomach problems?
Well, for example, if you notice your stomach problems return when you eat certain foods. A doctor can help determine if you have a food intolerance or allergy. Also, if you can’t keep food down, that is another indication to seek medical advice. If your stomach issues are ongoing and last for weeks, and you’re not finding relief through natural means, a doctor can run some tests to see what’s going on.
You know your body best, so if your stomach issues continue, become more frequent, or simply appear out of the ordinary, get yourself checked out.
Related: Stomach pain after eating – causes and home remedies