Does your stomach feel gassy after a heavy meal? Is there a burning sensation in your chest that makes you feel uneasy? All these are symptoms of gastric problems. However, you don’t have to stop eating your favorite foods due to heartburn or bloating. There are many home remedies out there that can ease and relieve gastric issues. Take a look.
What Are Gastric Problems?
Bloating, belching, and a sense of gassiness are all gastric problems. If it turns chronic, it may lead to gastritis (inflammation of the intestinal wall due to bacterial infestation or long-term use of painkillers) .
Though the exact pathophysiology is still unknown, improper evacuation, heavy meal intake, lack of physical activity, or impaired gas transit often results in gastric problems.
Luckily, there are home remedies that can alleviate this problem. Let’s take a look at them in the next section.
How To Relieve Gas – Easy Remedies
1. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil was found to improve abdominal symptoms in patients with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). It also showed promise in relieving symptoms like abdominal pain and discomfort, bloating, passage of gas, etc.
You Will Need
- 1 drop of food-grade peppermint oil
- 1 glass of water
What You Have To Do
- Add a drop of food-grade peppermint oil to a glass of water.
- Mix well and consume.
How Often You Should Do This
You may drink this mixture 1-2 times daily.
2. Lemon
Lemons are rich in ascorbic acid (vitamin C). The vitamin C in lemons imparts anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties that can help treat gastric issues.
Although lemon juice is acidic, it alkalizes the stomach environment and maintains overall pH balance when mixed with water.
You Will Need
- ½ lemon
- 1 glass of water
What You Have To Do
- Squeeze out the juice from half a lemon into a glass of water.
- Mix well and drink the mixture.
How Often You Should Do This
You may do this 1-2 times daily.
3. Yogurt
Regular consumption of probiotic yogurt promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut. This can help in dealing better with gastrointestinal issues.
You Will Need
1 small bowl of yogurt
What You Have To Do
- Consume a small portion of yogurt daily with your meals.
- You may also substitute yogurt with buttermilk.
How Often You Should Do This
You can consume yogurt once daily.
4. Carom Seeds (Ajwain)
Carom seeds can help increase gastric acid secretion time and the amount of gastric acid. They possess carminative and antispasmodic properties that can help in relieving gastric problems like flatulence and bloating.
You Will Need
½ teaspoon of carom seeds
What You Have To Do
Consume half a teaspoon of carom seeds after every meal.
How Often You Should Do This
You may do this 1-3 times daily.
5. Cumin (Jeera) Water
Cumin seeds have carminative and antispasmodic effects. They inhibit the contraction of smooth muscles of the gastric mucosa, a process that relaxes your gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). This improves digestion by increasing the release of digestive juices, thus easing gastric issues.
You Will Need
- 1-2 teaspoons of cumin seeds
- 1 glass of water
What You Have To Do
- Add one to two teaspoons of cumin seeds to a glass of water and bring it to a boil.
- Switch off the stove and allow the solution to cool down.
- Drink it after every meal.
How Often You Should Do This
You may do this 2-3 times daily.
6. Asafoetida
Asafoetida supports digestion by enhancing the activity of your salivary glands and promoting the secretion of gastric, salivary, and pancreatic juices in your GI tract. These actions can help in managing symptoms like bloating, flatulence, and heartburn.
You Will Need
- A pinch of asafoetida
- 1 glass of water
What You Have To Do
- Add a pinch of asafoetida to a glass of water and mix well.
- Drink the mixture.
How Often You Should Do This
You may do this 1-2 times daily.
7. Fresh Ginger
Ginger exhibits gastroprotective effects and has shown to treat various gastric problems like belching, bloating, dyspepsia, indigestion, nausea, and vomiting.
You Will Need
- An inch of sliced ginger
- 1 cup of water
What You Have To Do
- Add an inch of sliced ginger to a cup of water.
- Bring it to a boil in a saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Strain and allow the ginger tea to cool.
- Drink the tea.
- Alternatively, you can also chew on a small piece of fresh ginger.
How Often You Should Do This
You may do this 2 times daily.
8. Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe vera possesses gastroprotective properties that inhibit the secretion of gastric acid . Aloe vera juice, in combination with probiotic lactobacillus strains, can help in relieving gastrointestinal disorders .
You Will Need
2 tablespoons of fresh aloe juice
What You Have To Do
Consume two tablespoons of fresh aloe juice daily.
How Often You Should Do This
You may do this once daily for a week.
Caution: Do not opt for this remedy if you are pregnant as oral consumption of aloe can stimulate uterine contractions.
9. Yarrow
Yarrow exhibits antispasmodic properties . These properties can help relax your intestinal muscles, thereby alleviating the symptoms of gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea and gastritis. Yarrow extracts can protect the gastric mucosa against bacteria and stomach acids.
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of dried yarrow tea
- 1 cup of water
What You Have To Do
- Add a teaspoon of dried yarrow tea to a cup of water.
- Bring it to a boil in a saucepan and simmer.
- Strain the tea and allow it to cool down a little.
- Drink up.
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this 2-3 times daily.
10. Licorice
Licorice is associated with an increase in gastric mucosal defensive factors that can help in the treatment and prevention of gastric disorders like stomach ulcers. The glycyrrhizic acid in licorice shows anti-H. pylori (bacteria responsible for gastric ulcer) activity.
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of licorice root
- 1 cup of water
What You Have To Do
- Add a teaspoon of licorice to a cup of hot water.
- Steep for 5-7 minutes and strain.
- Drink the freshly prepared licorice tea.
How Often You Should Do This
You may do this 2 times daily.
Note: If you have hypertension or are pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid licorice. Also, do not overconsume licorice as it may lead to hypokalemia, high blood pressure, and arrhythmia.
11. Coconut Water
Coconut water exhibits gastroprotective activities by reducing the inflammation of the intestinal lining and enhancing the activity of the intestinal mucosal cells. Hence, it can help reduce bloating and gas.
You Will Need
1 glass of fresh coconut water
What You Have To Do
Consume a glass of fresh coconut water daily.
How Often You Should Do This
You may do this once daily.
12. Cinnamon
Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, and gastroprotective properties. Hence, it can help in treating digestive and stomach issues.
You Will Need
½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder
What You Have To Do
- Add half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder to your favorite dish and consume.
- You can also take cinnamon powder with a glass of water or juice.
13. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile not only reduces your stress levels but also improves digestion. It can help expel gas, relax gastric muscles, and improve digestion.
You Will Need
- 1 chamomile tea bag
- 1 cup hot water
What You Need To Do
- Steep the tea bag in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes.
- Sip on this hot herbal tea.
How Often You Need To Do This
Drink 2-3 cups in a day.
While these home remedies can help you deal with gastric issues, you must also make a few changes to your lifestyle to prevent the recurrence of these issues. Listed below are a few tips that can help you.
Tips To Prevent Excessive Gas
- Eat slowly and chew your food properly while eating.
- Avoid chewing gum regularly.
- Avoid using straws while drinking fluids as they can cause you to swallow more gas.
- Avoid drinking carbonated drinks as they can lead to the formation of excessive gas in the intestines.
- Exercise regularly.
- Quit smoking.
- Limit your alcohol intake.
- Avoid consuming foods that are difficult to digest.
- Stay hydrated.
- Avoid lying down right after a meal.
- Take a warm bath or use a heating bag to relieve pain from excessive gas.
- Follow a BRAT diet until you recover completely from your gastric troubles. BRAT stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. All these foods are easy on your stomach as they can be easily digested.
Use these tips in combination with any of the remedies provided above to find relief from recurring gastric issues. However, if you develop any of the following symptoms, it is best to consult a doctor for further assistance.
When To See A Doctor
Most cases of gastrointestinal issues, like gas, are short-lived and do not require medical attention. However, if your condition persists and results in sleeplessness, loss of appetite, or interferes in any way with your day-to-day life, it is best to consult a doctor immediately.
Gastric problems, although normal, can cause immense discomfort if they tend to surface every now and then. Give any one or a combination of the above home remedies a try to eliminate gastric issues like bloating and gas.
Do you have any other remedies up your sleeve that may help with excessive gas and bloating? Don’t forget to share them with us in the comments section below.
