Stomach ache? Indigestion? Tummy trouble? No matter what you call it; you need a quick cure and don’t want to make a trip to the drug store. Peppermint, a pinch of soda, pomegranate juice with honey: all are simple home remedies that will cure your indigestion.
Do You Have Dyspepsia?
Indigestion, referred to as dyspepsia in a clinical setting, is simply upper abdomen discomfort. It’s not a disease or illness, but an assortment of symptoms like feeling bloated, the need to belch, or nauseated. You experience indigestion in your own quirky way, and there are many causes, and many remedies.
Why Do We Get Indigestion?
The Mayo Clinic provides a list of common causes of indigestion that includes, overeating, eating too quickly, eating fatty, greasy or spicy foods, or, consuming too much caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, or carbonated beverages. The Mayo Clinic also points out that smoking, nervousness, emotional trauma, and many medications can cause an upset stomach.
Can We Do anything About It?
To discover a remedy, first, try to decipher what instigated your indigestion. Most cases can be cured with lifestyle changes or simple home remedies. Always consult your physician or pharmacist if your symptoms exceed mild discomfort, last over 24 hours, or if you develop additional symptoms.
Lifestyle Changes
Avoiding foods and situations that bring on indigestion is a good place to start. Too much coffee on an empty stomach causes stomach aches for many people. Gulping down fast food before an afternoon meeting can do it, too. Planning time for eating healthier meals, or making better choices, like selecting a salad over a hot dog from the local street vendor are simple fixes. The Mayo Clinic suggests avoiding fatty and spicy foods, carbonated beverages, caffeine, and alcohol.
I find slowing down, chewing thoroughly, and eating smaller, more frequent meals helps. Keeping your weight and BMI at a healthy level will help because excess pounds can pressure the abdomen and cause acid to back up into your esophagus. I’ve learned that regular exercise, something as simple as a walk, will aid digestion. Keeping your stress level in check has a profound impact, too. Click here for some quick and easy stress management tips.
Unfortunately, life doesn’t always cooperate with our healthy intentions, and we find ourselves at the mercy of indigestion. There are cures that don’t require a trip to the pharmacy. My favorite cure is a cup of herbal peppermint or ginger tea with a teaspoon of honey. The NIH (National Institutes for Health) touts the benefits of peppermint oil. Read about peppermint oil here. A tea of wild peppermint” is included as a cure for stomach aches in “The Foxfire Book,” a treasury of old Appalachian wisdom. The Foxfire Book also mentions using, “one pinch of soda in a spoon of water.”
If you’re in a hurry, simply clip a few leaves off a fresh mint plant and chew on the leaves. It will settle an upset stomach and freshen breath. Chewing on a small piece of fresh ginger will work, too.
If you want to create your own antacid liquid, follow the directions of “The Formula Book” by Norman Stark. Combine one tablespoon of sodium bicarbonate, one teaspoon of sugar, five drops of peppermint oil, and one cup of water. Drink it slowly to cure your stomach ache.
Another remedy is to drink eight ounces of pomegranate juice with two tablespoons of honey. Make sure it’s room temperature as a cold drink may exacerbate indigestion. If pomegranate juice doesn’t suit your taste, try adding a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, two tablespoons of honey, and two tablespoons of cider vinegar to a glass of lukewarm water and sip it slowly.
Remember, the best remedy for indigestion is to make simple lifestyle changes. Avoiding a stomach ache in the first place is the best option.
Online Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/indigestion/DS01141
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/733557/quick_and_easy_stress_management_techniques.html?cat=72
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/peppermintoil/index.htm.
http://www.foxfire.org/thefoxfirebooks.aspx
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