Almost everyone experiences tummy aches at point or another. Stomach aches, despite being very common, the specific reason behind it can be tricky to pinpoint, because they could range from stomach ulcers to regular indigestion to irritable bowel syndrome to gastritis to even GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). Other common causes for an upset stomach may include food poisoning, motion sickness, allergic reaction, overeating, extreme stress, excessive drinking, medicinal side effect, or even pregnancy. However, most cases of tummy aches aren’t serious and the symptoms subside quickly.
More often than not, an upset stomach is accompanied by diarrhea, which is a condition where you pass loose, watery stools frequently. This, if left untreated, can lead to severe dehydration. Other symptoms of an upset tummy include nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, heartburn, cramps, and even chills.
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To alleviate the symptoms of tummy aches and prevent further complications, you could try some of these home remedies for an upset stomach to soothe your tummy and bring it relief.
1. Carrots and mint
This might sound like a weird combo, but it’s really helpful if you’re suffering from winter flu. While the carrot provides nourishment to your body, the peppermint soothes your upset tummy.
Remedy: Slice four medium sized carrots and boiled them in four cups of water. Add 1 teaspoon of dried peppermint or one peppermint teabag to it. With the heat turned down to medium-low, cook it for about 15 minutes, or until the carrots are soft to the touch. If you’re using a teabag, remove it and blend the mixture till you get a smoothie.
Pro tip: You can add a pinch of ground ginger, or a squeeze of lemon juice to add flavor to the bland concoction.
2. Ginger
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Ginger has been treating upset stomachs since forever. Its antifungal and antibacterial properties help soothe tummy aches and also relieve indigestion. Ginger also contains certain chemicals that help soothe the intestinal tract.
Remedies: (1) To one up of buttermilk, add half a teaspoon of dried ginger powder and mix well. Drink this solution three to four times daily, for about two days.
(2) Slice a few pieces of fresh ginger and boil it in 2 cups of water for about 10 minutes. Let the decoction cool and drink it several times a day for best results.
Pro tip: Ginger home remedies are not recommended for people suffering from high blood pressure.
3. Rice water
Also called rice ‘tea,’ this home remedy acts as a demulcent, a substance that relieves inflammation by forming a protective barrier over a membrane.
Remedy: Take half a cup of rice and boiled it in 6 cups of water for about 15 minutes. Once the rice starts to become tender, take it off the heat and let it soak for about 3-4 minutes. Now, drain it and drink the rice ‘tea’ warm.
Pro tip: You can add a splash of honey to make the bland concoction a bit tasty.
4. Apple cider vinegar
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Apple cider vinegar is like the mother of all home remedies. Whether it’s your skin, hair, or your body, apple cider vinegar has got it covered. The high pectin content found in apple cider vinegar is soothing to an irritated stomach, while it also relieves nausea.
Remedy: Take a glass of warm water and add 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and stir. To make it taste better, add a little honey to it, and drink this solution with each meal, until your symptoms subside.
5. Yogurt
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Yogurt is a probiotic, and hence is a good cure for an upset stomach, since it eases digestive discomfort, while also boosting your immunity.
Remedy: Eat two to three cups of plain yogurt every day, till your tummy ache is relieved.
Pro tip: Choose plain yogurt, rather than those with added flavors and sugars. You can make it interesting by adding berries, apples, or bananas.
6. Bananas
Bananas are one of the most underrated fruits of all time. These are one of the most effective home remedies for an upset stomach, in that they are easily digestible, and also help absorb any excess acid in the stomach. Bananas have high pectin and potassium content; while the former helps solidify loose stools, the latter will help replace the lost electrolytes when you’ve suffered diarrhea.
Remedies: (1) Take a ripe banana and mash it in a glass of buttermilk. Drink this thick, smoothing like concoction twice or thrice daily for about one or two days.
(2) Take a ripe banana and mash it with 1 teaspoon of tamarind pulp. Add a pinch of salt to this mixture, and mix well. Eat this twice daily for one or two days, till the symptoms subside.
7. Peppermint
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Peppermint by itself is known to be quite soothing for an upset tummy. It also helps ease nausea because of the menthol in its leaves.
Remedies: (1) Brew a cup of peppermint or spearmint tea. Instead of sugar, add a splash of honey as the sweetener. The combination of peppermint and honey is very soothing for an upset tummy.
(2) Extract fresh mint juice from mint leaves in a blender, and add 1 teaspoon each of honey and lime juice to it. Mix it well and drink twice daily for two to three days to ease stomach ache and diarrhea.
(3) Suck on a minty candy, or chew on the leaves as is. Both of these are known to relieve the symptoms of an upset tummy.
Suggested read: 15 effective home remedies that help you get rid of acidity
8. Burnt toast
If you’re scrunching up your face in distaste, stop it right now! Burnt toast is known to be very helpful and soothing for an upset stomach, because the char on the bread absorbs all the toxins that are making you feel ill.
Pro tip: To make it more palatable, smear a spoonful of jelly on the burnt toast.
9. Lemon water
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If you think your upset stomach is actually indigestion, then lemon water is known to be very helpful. The high acidity levels in the lemon helps produce the necessary stomach acids, which break down the food in our digestive system.
Remedy: Take 2 cups of warm water, to which squeeze one whole lemon. Stir and sip this solution at regular intervals to relieve the symptoms of an upset tummy.
Pro tip: Add a smidge of honey to this, to make it more palatable.
10. CRAP diet
CRAP diet is especially helpful to ease constipation. CRAP stands for ‘cherries, raisins, apricots, and prunes.’ All of these are fiber-friendly foods that aid in getting your system moving, while also relieving your upset tummy.
11. Fennel and fennel seeds
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Fennel is especially helpful in easing and soothing an upset stomach. It supports digestion, while also reducing gas, cramps, and nausea from an upset tummy.
Remedies: (1) Slice a fennel and boil it in a cup of water, till you get a concoction. Sip this ‘tea’ at regular intervals, till your symptoms subside.
(2) Chew on raw fennel seeds twice or thrice daily.
12. Fenugreek seeds
Fenugreek seeds are known to help ease symptoms of an upset tummy and gastritis. The high content of mucilage in these seeds is known to solidify stools.
Remedies: (1) Powder 1 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds and dissolve this powder in a glass of water. Sip this solution twice daily, for about two to three days.
(2) Mix 1 teaspoon of fenugreek powder in 1 tablespoon of yogurt and eat this twice or thrice daily for immediate relief.
13. Caraway seeds
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Packed with minerals and vitamins, caraway seeds are excellent in relieving a stomach ache. These inhibit the growth of bad bacteria that causes gas, indigestion, or bloating, which thereby cause an upset stomach.
Remedy: Nibble on these seeds after each meal, or if you feel gassy.
14. Cumin seeds
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Cumin seeds are not only useful as a spice in the kitchen, but are also known to be very helpful in treating gastrointestinal issues like an upset tummy. It aids in digestion by increasing enzyme secretions.
Remedies: (1) Take 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds and 1 cup of water, and boil it for about five minutes. Strain and drink this solution while it’s still warm, for about one or two days.
(2) Roast half a teaspoon of cumin seeds and make a powder. Add this and a pinch of black salt to a glass of buttermilk, and stir well. Drink this solution after each meal for about two to three days to enhance digestion.
(3) If you don’t like buttermilk, you can add the roasted cumin powder to half a teaspoon of honey and take it three to four times a day.
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15. Cinnamon
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Cinnamon is not only a spice that adds bags of flavor to a dish, it is also helpful in easing various gastrointestinal issues, including an upset stomach. It’s known to help stimulate the digestive system to move things easily.
Remedies: (1) Stir in a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon powder into a cup of hot water, and let it sit for about five minutes. Sip this ‘tea’ slowly, at least four times a day for two days.
(2) Take half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder, 1 tablespoon of pure honey, and dissolve it in a glass of warm water. Drink this concoction thrice daily for about two days.
These are the absolutely natural home remedies for an upset stomach without any side effects. So that next time you’re suffering from a stomach ache, that you can’t really pinpoint as to why, try one of these solutions to see best results.
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