Amongst all the common physical ailments, stomach aches might be one of the most debilitating. Whether it came about from food poisoning or a lactose-intolerance, stomach aches can send even the strongest people straight to the restroom for hours. Luckily, there are a few natural remedies that have existed for thousands of years. Here are some natural ways to relieve an upset stomach.
Ginger
Across the world, ginger is one of the most commonly used natural remedies for an upset stomach. Research studies conducted on pregnant women showed that ingesting as little as one gram of ginger a day resulted in being five times less likely to experience vomiting during pregnancy.
Because of its strong and overpowering taste, I suggest boiling it into a tea and adding a teaspoon of honey to sweeten. You can also add some lemon to taste. This will make it much easier to ingest. Ginger is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Peppermint
Similar to ginger, mint has been used by middle eastern countries like Iran and Pakistan for its anti-nausea effects. Mint is also a known analgesic, or pain reliever, which can help you deal with some of the stomach pangs that you are experiencing. Mint can either be incorporated into dishes such as Asian spring rolls, chewed on plain or boiled into a tea with honey.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has also been used to calm an upset stomach. Apple cider vinegar actually slows down your digestion of starch, allowing it to reach your stomach bacteria and provide them with a healthy environment to operate. If you can handle the tart flavor, take a tablespoon or two straight. If this isn’t possible, mix it into a small glass of warm water and chug it down. Apple cider vinegar has also been praised for its antibacterial qualities and may help to reduce symptoms stemming from food poisoning.
Take a Warm Bath
While the science behind this next tip is not as prevalent, I’ve found that taking a warm bath when my stomach is aching to be incredibly helpful. After a few minutes of soaking in a warm bath, I can feel my stomach muscles begin to relax and cramping usually disappears. You can even add 10-15 drops of peppermint oil for the benefits stated above.
In my experience, I have found that most stomach aches can be dealt with naturally. To avoid future stomach aches, make sure to avoid overly greasy foods, dairy products if you have even slight lactose intolerance and unclean restaurants. While the above remedies will work on mild stomach aches, make sure you contact your doctor immediately if the pain becomes severe.