How to Fight Indigestion and Bloating
Indigestion and bloating is obvious when it occurs, and can cause discomfort and pain. You might find yourself with hiccups, burps or a feeling of tightness and expansion in your belly. When you know how to fight these symptoms with natural remedies, you won’t have to worry about them when they occur.
Around 11 litres of food, liquid and digestive fluids flow through your digestive system on a daily basis. That is a lot of work for your body, and so it’s not surprising that sometimes a spanner gets stuck in the works and your body lets you know about it. If you think you have a digestive disorder of some kind, try these remedies, but always discuss prolonged, severe or reoccurring symptoms with a health professional.
Tips to prevent indigestion and bloating
Avoiding foods that create gas, like beans, broccoli, cabbage and bran can help you prevent indigestion and bloating in the first place, so this should be your first port of call. If you don’t eat these things and you can’t work out what it is that causes your symptoms, try doing a food diary. This will help you work out what you ate before you started experiencing the symptoms!
If you eat quickly, your body won’t be able to handle everything that’s coming down into it with ease. This can also cause you to swallow air by mistake, and your body might complain. Simply give yourself enough time to eat, chew slowly and thoroughly and concentrate on your food while you eat. Watching the TV or working while eating is a no-no, because you won’t be focused on your food and your body won’t either.
Avoid drinking through a straw, chewing gum and eating hard sweets, as these can all cause gas and indigestion. Funnily enough, changing the temperature of your foods can also make your stomach unhappy. Drinking tea then cold water changes the temperature of the stomach quickly, and can knock it off balance.
Stress and anxiety can apparently cause you to swallow air. Keep calm and look for new ways you might be able to relax and manage tense situations.
5 natural remedies to treat indigestion and bloating
Cinnamon tea
Alternative medical practitioners state that drinking honey and cinnamon tea after meals may help with indigestion and bloating. The Romans used honey orally as a remedy for constipation, diarrhoea and upset stomach, so it’s been around a while! Cinnamon also has a long history as a treatment for upset stomach, flatulence and nausea. Together, they make a wonderful remedy for inhibiting bloating and abdominal pain. Mix two teaspoons of cinnamon powder with one teaspoon of honey in a cup and add boiling water. This recipe couldn’t be easier!
Orange juice
A lack of stomach acidity can lead to digestive problems, and freshly-squeezed orange juice can provide just enough acid to promote better digestion. It’s important to consume it before other foods, or you are likely to aggravate your symptoms. Help yourself to a glass around 20 minutes before you eat each meal of the day.
Baking soda
Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, may be an inexpensive way to combat acid reflux. Since baking soda is alkaline, it can work as an antacid to neutralise stomach acid and stop it from backing up in the oesophagus. Some recommend taking one half teaspoon every two hours when acid reflux strikes, but you should always discuss remedies like this with your doctor as baking soda can interact with drugs or cause side-effects in some patients.
Ginger tea
Ginger can help you digest greasy, unhealthy food, help ease symptoms of nausea and bloating, help ease stomach discomfort and release built-up gas in your belly. It stimulates digestion, the production of saliva, bile and gastric juices, reduce flatulence and reduce inflammation.
To make a nice ginger tea, put some water into a pan and add about a teaspoon of ginger root or powder. Simmer it for about 10 minutes, then strain. Add a little lemon and sweetener to taste.
Mint tea
Mint tea is great for indigestion, but it’s not so good for heartburn caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is great for IBS, however, and pain in the lower area of your belly. Use peppermint or other types of mint. To make a tea, simply buy organic or good quality mint tea bags, or harvest some fresh from the garden or balcony. Add hot water and enjoy your therapeutic cuppa.
