Everyone gets a stomachache now and then. Very acidic foods, intolerance to certain foods, and plain overindulgence are the usual culprits that contribute to excess gas and cramping. The good news is that there are plenty of home remedies for stomachaches that can help get your digestive system back on track.
Exercise
Sometimes, all you need to do is to get moving. Taking a brisk walk around the block after a meal can often help to settle your stomach, especially if your discomfort is due to the fact that you couldn't resist going back for seconds at dinner. However, avoid doing any physical activity that involves bending forward at the waist. A stomachache is not an occasion for an exercise workout with abdominal crunches, for instance, which is likely to produce nausea. Likewise, leaning forward repeatedly right after a meal leads to an increased risk of acid reflux complicating your symptoms.
Baking Soda
Pull out the box of baking soda from your kitchen cabinet, also known as sodium bicarbonate. This home remedy is a natural antacid that will effectively reduce the level of hydrochloric acid in your stomach. Sip a full glass of water with 1 tsp. of baking soda dissolved in it and you should start to feel better soon.
Chamomile
You may recall the story of Beatrix Potter's "Peter Rabbit," which featured a young rabbit that went against his mother's directive and wandered into the farmer's field to indulge in a patch of carrots. In addition to earning a sound scolding that night, Peter's adventure caused him to suffer a stomachache, which his mother soothed with a dose of chamomile tea. There is science to support the effectiveness of this old-fashioned remedy for stomach aches, fictional or real. Chamomile contains a-bisobol, a chemical that soothes irritated tissues. The herb also contains chamazulene, another chemical with anti-inflammatory properties. Finally, the presence of azulene is antimicrobial against several strains of bacteria, including Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. So, a cup of chamomile tea might be just the thing for stomach distress brought on by food poisoning, intestinal virus or, like Peter, just eating too much.
Ginger
Ginger root contains volatile oils and phenol compounds called gingerols and shogaols, both of which provide anti-inflammatory effects. These agents not only resolve a stomachache, but also effectively treat nausea that sometimes comes with it. If steeping raw, grated ginger root isn't your cup of tea, you can try eating a few gingersnap cookies or sipping a glass of ginger ale instead.
References
- "PDR for Herbal Medicines"; Medical Economics; 2000
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ginger
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