The Best Home Remedies for Indigestion
Got a bad case of indigestion? Instead of rushing to the drugstore for an over-the-counter antacid, pull these ingredients from your kitchen cupboards.
Home Remedies for Indigestion Worth Trying
Ginger
Ginger is famous for settling stomach upset and improving digestion. As a home remedy for indigestion, you have three options: Take a ginger supplement (preferably with meals), eat a few pieces of candied ginger as needed, or brew up a cup of ginger tea. (Check out more healing herbs and spices.)
Chamomile
Chamomile is an age-old home remedy for indigestion. It calms the stomach and soothes spasms in the intestinal tract. Drink a few cups of chamomile tea throughout the day.
Peppermint
If you prefer a little zing, pamper yourself with peppermint. The plant’s oil soothes intestinal muscle spasms and helps relieve nausea. Like ginger and chamomile, the easiest (and tastiest) way to enjoy the potential healing powers of peppermint is by brewing a steaming cup of peppermint tea.
Fennel and Caraway
Chew and swallow a spoonful of fennel or caraway seeds when you’re having indigestion. These seeds contain oils that soothe spasms in the gut, relieve nausea, and help control flatulence. Fennel can also help prevent indigestion if taken right after a spicy meal—one of the reasons Indian restaurants often set out dishes of fennel seeds for customers to enjoy.
Licorice
No, we’re not talking about the black licorice from the candy aisle. Most of the health benefits of licorice are exclusive to deglycyrrhizinated licorice, or DGL, sold in health food stores. This product soothes stomach upset and indigestion by coating the lining of the stomach.
Hot Water
Some people claim that drinking a plain old cup of hot water eases indigestion. Warm ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, or flat cola are also said to soothe an upset stomach.
Apple Cider Vinegar
A sour solution: try drinking a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar diluted in a half-cup of water. It will help you digest the food if you don’t have enough acid in your stomach. (You can add a little honey to sweeten the taste.) This works well after a large meal, so long as you avoid these apple cider vinegar mistakes.
Baking Soda
Stir a teaspoon of baking soda into a glass of water and drink it. If your stomach is too acidic, this solution neutralizes stomach acid and also helps relieve painful gas.
Now that you know these home remedies for indigestion, check out the sneaky reasons you’re always bloated.
