Indigestion (dyspepsia) is slight discomfort in the upper abdomen or belly. It frequently happens during or immediately after eating if you eat too fast or consume too much processed spicy or acidic foods and caffeinated beverages.
You can also get indigestion from excessive alcohol intake, stress, medical conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ulcers, gastritis, pancreatitis, or gallstones, and medications such as aspirin (especially after an empty stomach).
Symptoms include uncomfortable abdominal bloating (fullness or tightness after eating), burping and gas, an acidic taste in the mouth, nausea and vomiting, a burning sensation in the stomach, and a gurgling sound in the stomach.
Here are a few home remedies that can provide quick relief for indigestion.
- Drinking water: Drinking water can help dilute the acid in your stomach, which can help reduce symptoms of indigestion and heartburn. Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily.
- Alkaline foods such as bananas: Alkaline foods such as bananas, melons, fennel, and nuts can increase body pH and help relieve indigestion by counteracting the stomach acid irritating your food pipe or esophagus.
Bananas are a prebiotic food and produce fatty acid in the gut and good bacteria in the intestines, which are associated with reduced stomach discomfort and relief from IBS. Its high fibre content helps normalize bowel movements and treat constipation.
- Peppermint tea: Peppermint is more than just a mouth freshener. It also has antispasmodic properties, and relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), making it a great choice for relieving stomach problems like indigestion and nausea. However, you shouldnβt drink or eat peppermint if indigestion is due to GERD or acid reflux.
- Chamomile tea: Chamomile tea induces sleep, reduces anxiety, reduce inflammation, and can also ease gut discomfort and relieve indigestion by reducing stomach acid in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Individuals taking blood thinner medications must avoid chamomile tea ince chamomile contains coumarin, an anticoagulant, that can increase bleeding risks.
- Apple cider vinegar: The health benefits of apple cider vinegar range from improving skin to encouraging weight loss. Research has stated that it may also help to ease indigestion.
Apple cider vinegar contains natural probiotics that stimulate the production of beneficial bacteria in the gut. It also prevents heartburn and bloating by ensuring that there are adequate levels of acid in the digestive tract.
Add one to two teaspoons of raw, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar to a cup of water and drink for fast relief. Drinking apple cider vinegar in undiluted or excess amounts can cause side effects such as nausea, tooth erosion, low blood sugar, and throat burn.
- Ginger: Ginger can reduce stomach acid, nausea and vomiting, especially in pregnant women and individuals undergoing chemotherapy. Drink a cup of ginger tea or ginger ale, or suck on ginger candy. Boil one or two pieces of ginger root in four cups of water. Consuming excess ginger can cause heartburn, indigestion, and abdominal discomfort.
- Fennel seed: This antispasmodic herb may help relieve indigestion, and soothe other digestive problems like bloating, nausea, and stomach cramps. You can put 1/2 teaspoon of crushed fennel seed in water and allow it to boil for 10 minutes before drinking or chew fennel seeds after meals.
- Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate): Baking soda can rapidly neutralize stomach acid and relieve indigestion, bloating, gas, and heartburn by reducing stomach acidity. Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to 4 ounces of warm water and drink. Consuming excessive sodium bicarbonate may lead to muscle spasms and twitching, slow or shallow breathing, diarrhea, and vomiting.
- Lemon water an liquorice root: Lemon water not only supplies vitamin C necessary but stimulates the secretion of gut enzymes that facilitate digestion. Research shows that lemon water and liquorice root can calm gut inflammation and muscle spasms.
Chew licorice root for relief or add 1 or 2 teaspoons of licorice root powder to boiling water and drink the mixture. Although effective for indigestion, licorice root can lower potassium levels and increase blood pressure.
- BRAT diet: The BRAT diet comprises bananas, rice, applesauce and toast and is prescribed for acute digestive problems such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Their low fiber content makes them easy for the body to break down and absorb.
BRAT foods may decrease the number of stools a person passes and help ease their diarrhea. The diet may harden stool and reduce stomach cramps due to loose stools. BRAT foods are high in nutrients, such as potassium and magnesium, and can replace those someone loses through diarrhea and vomiting.
- Other remedies: Yogurt is rich in probiotics and is a very effective remedy for people with indigestion and diarrhea. Mix some crushed cumin seeds and salt in a bowl of yogurt and have it at least twice in a day. Aloe vera juice may help reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), GERD, and colitis. Basil, carom seeds, coriander seeds, asafetida, and curry leaves, rock salt, and honey may also help indigestion.
Avoid late meals, snacking before bed, lying down immediately after meals, smoking, consuming alcohol, eating before exercising, and tight-fitting clothes. Consult a doctor in case of stomach pain with symptoms such as loss of appetite, sweating, black stools, difficulty swallowing, breathing, passing urine or stool, chest pain, and fatigue. -
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