Home Remedies for Stomach Pain

Stomach aches, also called as “abdominal pain,” are tricky to find remedies for unless you know the cause. Causes of an aching tummy can be so many, ranging from indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome to gastritis and GERD. It occurs between the chest and the pelvic regions. It can occur in different sensations like a cramp, achy, dull, intermittent or sharp. Inflammation or diseases that affect the organs in the abdomen area can cause abdominal pain. Major organs that are located in the abdomen area include: Small and large intestines Kidneys Appendix Spleen Stomach Gallbladder Liver Pancreas Viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections that affect the intestines or stomach can also cause significant abdominal pain. Assuming you are dealing with an uncomplicated stomach ache, these remedies can help bring you relief from the pain and discomfort in your abdomen. Chamomile Tea Chamomile can soothe an aching stomach and also relax the muscles in the digestive system. When it relaxes the muscles, then the contractions that push food throughout our system ease up and decrease the pain of cramping and spasms. If your stomach ache is due to indigestion, then chamomile is the right choice. Moreover, it contains anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and sedative properties. Put 1 tsp. of dry chamomile in a cup Pour boiling water to cover it Allow it to steep for 10-15 minutes, then strain Add lemon or honey according to your taste Drink this tea 2-3 times a day Hot Pack You can use a hot water bottle for this as well. Heat helps to loosen and relax muscles. So if you find your stomach cramping up, then some warmth can go a long way for relieving you of the dreadful discomfort. Find a place to lie down Rest the warm hot water bottle on your belly Do this for at least 15 minutes or as long as you want Rice Water Whenever suffering from a stomach ache, you should eat bland food. Rice water is the water that is left over after you cook rice. Rice water is a bland food that acts like a demulcent, this means that it relieves inflammation from the stomach lining and reduces pain. Wash 1.5 cup of white rice Boil 6 cups of water and then add rice to it Cook the rice When the rice is tender, strain it and allow it to cool Add 1.5 tsp. of honey and stir Drink this twice a day Peppermint Peppermint can also reduce a stomach ache as it helps relax stomach muscles. The antispasmodic effect of it on the muscles in the digestive system and helps relieve the pain caused by gas. It also helps you digest properly by improving the flow of bile in the body. This is especially useful if suffering from indigestion, gas or bloating. Put a handful of peppermint leaves in a mug Cover it with boiling water Let it steep for 5-10 minutes Slip on it while it’s warm You can also chew on fresh peppermint leaves to ease stomach pain Warm Lemon Water Lemon water helps a stomach ache very well if your problem is indigestion. The high acidity level in the lemon initiates the production of hydrochloric acid, which breaks down our food. By increasing the amount of hydrochloric acid being produced, you help move the digestion process along at a healthy pace. You get the added bonus of the hydration too due to the good amount of water that helps to keep the system flushed and running smoothly. Take a cup of warm water Squeeze 1 fresh lemon in it and mix Ginger Ginger has antioxidant and also anti-inflammatory properties that help to regulate the digestion process, and therefore, reduce stomach pain. Ginger also helps to decrease the production of free radicals and also increase digestive juices that neutralize stomach acids. Ginger contains chemicals that occur naturally, called gingerols and shogaols. These chemicals can help relax smooth muscle, and therefore relieve stomach cramps or stomach aches. Ginger root is also great for preventing nausea, which may accompany a stomach ache. You can make a ginger root tea and sip throughout the day. This is a better home remedy than ginger ale. Boil 1 cup of water Add ginger slices to it Boil for 3 minutes and simmer for another 5 minutes Remove from heat and stain Add honey according to taste Sip it 2-3 times a day Fennel Seeds Indigestion is an obvious and common reason for stomach pain. Chewing fennel seeds help in this case as they contain anethole - a volatile oil that can stimulate the secretion of digestive juices to help in better digestion. They also have carminative, diuretic, pain-reducing and antimicrobial properties. It can also help ease inflammation and reduce the pain caused by it. If your stomach ache is caused by gastritis or inflammation of the stomach, this may provide some relief from the discomfort. After a meal chew 1 tsp. of fennel seeds Add 1 tsp. of crushed fennel seeds to 1 cup of boiling water Let it steep for 10 minutes Strain it and add honey according to taste Club Soda and Lime Just like lemon, lime can also help ease an aching tummy. Combining lime with club soda makes an easy drink to sip on that washes away the pain. If your stomach pain is due to overeating, then the carbonation in club soda will encourage you to burp and relieving pressure in your belly. It has been proven to help greatly with dyspepsia and constipation. Mix 8 ounces of club soda and half a lime Stir and drink slowly Apple Cider Vinegar Apple cider vinegar is a more effective treatment for stomach pain than antacids. You may commonly hear that stomach pain and related ailments are caused largely by excess acid and therefore, need to be treated using an antacid. Actually, this is just the contrary of how an acid stomach must be treated. The stomach is naturally acidic, so pain occurs due to an imbalance or lack of acid in the stomach. Apple cider vinegar balances the acidic nature of the stomach and ails pain. Mix 1 tsp. of apple cider vinegar in warm water Add 1 tsp. of honey according to taste Sip this until the pain is gone Yogurt Most dairy can be detrimental to an upset stomach, but plain yogurt can have quite the opposite effect. The key is to make sure you are choosing a yogurt that is having ""active cultures."" These cultures will increase the number of good bacteria in your gut, aiding in digestion and reducing the uncomfortable feeling bloating. Ideally, choose organic plain yogurt. Mix 2 tsp. of yogurt and a pinch of salt in 1 cup of water Add 3 tsp. of juice from fresh coriander leaves Add 1.5 tsp. of cardamom powder