5 Things You Need to Know About Calming An Upset Stomach Naturally

1. When Your Stomach Just Doesn't Feel Right

Many things can cause an upset stomach. The most obvious cause is food, but environment, dehydration, stress or a combination of any of these can all leave your stomach upset. Upset stomach can cause feelings of nausea, burning or gassiness. If you experience upset stomach often, it may be a sign of a gastrointestinal disorder. But calming an upset stomach naturally is relatively easy, no matter when or why it occurs.

2. Soothe That Stomach Acid

The unpleasant feeling of an upset stomach is caused by an overabundance of stomach acid. It's important to neutralize this acid to start feeling right again. Foods containing carbohydrates can absorb the acid. Eating probably isn't what you want to do when you're suffering from an upset stomach, but try having a piece of bread or a handful of crackers. Eat slowly and chew thoroughly; making the process slow and thorough helps regulate acid production. The bread will help absorb the acid, calming your stomach.

3. Reach for Water

Dehydration is another factor that can cause upset stomach. Drinking lots of water can help regulate the excess acid in your stomach and get your stomach feeling good again. If you're dehydrated after a fun night that involved alcohol, drinking water will also help rehydrate you to combat those feelings of fatigue. Drink non-carbonated water instead of soda or energy drinks; the caffeine and sugar in these beverages dehydrate you more, and the carbonation aggravates the excess acid in your stomach even further.

4. Get Right With Ginger

Ginger is a well-known remedy that can help cure a wide variety of gastrointestinal problems. The idea originated in Asia, where ginger was used to cure heartburn, constipation and nausea. Try sucking on a slice of dried ginger while drinking water to help soothe your upset stomach. If the flavor of sliced ginger is too intense for you, try drinking a cup of ginger tea with honey in it. You can find ginger tea at most health-food or herbal stores.

5. Tea for Your Tummy

Peppermint and chamomile are two herbal remedies you can also use to soothe an upset stomach. Both are good for neutralizing the acid in your stomach and calming nausea and heartburn. Eat a few pieces of peppermint candy or dilute some peppermint oil in water. If you like tea, peppermint and chamomile teas are readily available at grocery stores; you might even be able to find teas that combine the two herbs to relieve your stomach faster. A spoonful of honey added to these teas will sweeten the tea and help settle your stomach.