Home Remedies for Stomach Aches

A stomach ache is a very common problem with varying degrees of discomfort and related symptoms. You can experience mild to sharp pain in the stomach or abdomen, stomach cramps, gas, nausea, diarrhea, bloating and vomiting.

Some common causes of stomach aches are indigestion, gas, heartburn, constipation, a stomach infection, overeating and lactose intolerance. However, stomach pain can also be due to more serious issues like an ulcer, a hernia, gall stones, a urinary tract infection and appendicitis.
When you have a stomach ache, it can be really difficult to concentrate on anything. Irrespective of the reason behind the stomach ache, you want it to go away fast.


1. Cup of Chamomile Tea

Chamomile can help ease the pain of a stomach ache by working as an anti-inflammatory (for example the lining of the stomach can become inflamed as a result common gastritis, caused by bacteria) and by relaxing the smooth muscle of the upper digestive track. When it relaxes that muscle, the contractions that are pushing food through your system ease up a bit and lessen the pain of cramping and spasms.

You will need…

-1 teabag of chamomile tea OR 1-2 teaspoons of dried chamomile
-A mug
-Hot water

2. Use a “Hot” Pack
I put hot in quotations because you don’t truly want it hot-just very warm, but comfortably so. You can also use a hot water bottle for this as well. Heat helps to loosen and relax muscles, so if you find yourself cramping up, some warmth can go a long ways for relieving you of the dreadful discomfort.

You will need…

-A hot pack, hot water bottle, or something similar
-A cozy place to lie down

Directions

Find a place to lie down, and rest the hot pack on your belly. It should be a comfortable temperature, but definitely warm. Do this for at least 15 minutes, or as long as you need to, reheating as necessary.

3. Rice Water

When suffering from a stomach ache, you should eat only bland food. Rice water is a bland food that acts like a demulcent, which means it relieves inflammation of the stomach lining and reduces pain.

1. Wash one-half cup of white rice thoroughly.
2. Boil six cups of water in a pan and then add the rice in it. Cook the rice uncovered.
3. When the rice becomes tender, strain the water and allow it to cool.
4. Add one-half teaspoon of honey.
5. Sip the warm rice water slowly.
6. Drink it twice daily.

You can also eat rice with yogurt as a bland food.

4. Enjoy Some Mint

Fresh peppermint tea (or just peppermint tea in general) can help relax stomach muscles. It also helps improve the flow of bile, which helps you digest properly.

You will need…

-A handful of fresh peppermint leaves OR 1-2 teaspoons dried
-Mug
-1 cup water

Directions

Cover the peppermint with 1 cup of boiling water, cover, and let steep for 5-10 minutes. Sip slowly while it’s still toasty warm. If using the fresh peppermint leaves, you can chew on them as well to ease stomach pains. You can also just use a pre-made teabag if you find that more desirable.

5. Warm Lemon Water

Lemon water, if your issue is indigestion, helps a stomachache. The high acidity level stimulates the production of hydrochloric acid, which breaks down our food. By upping the amount of HCL being produced, you help move digestion along at healthy pace. You get the added bonus of the hydration too, which keeps the system flushed and running smoothly.

You will need…

-1 fresh lemon
-warm water

6. Ginger

Ginger has antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory properties that help regulate the digestion process, in turn reducing stomach pain. Plus, ginger helps decrease the production of free radicals as well as increase digestive juices and neutralize stomach acids.

1. Cut one medium-size fresh ginger root into thin slices.
2. Bring one cup of water to a boil and add the ginger slices. Boil for three minutes, and then simmer for another five minutes.
3. Remove from heat, strain, and add honey to taste.
4. Sip it slowly.
5. Drink ginger tea two or three times a day to ease stomach ache and improve digestion.

7. Chew Fennel Seeds

Let’s say your stomach ache is being caused by indigestion. In this case, chewing fennel seeds will help as they contain anethole, a volatile oil that can stimulate the secretion of digestive juices to help move things along. It can also help tame inflammation, and reduce the pain caused by it. If you are suffering from gastritis, inflammation of the stomach, this may provide some relief from the discomfort.

You will need…

-1/2-1 teaspoon of fennel seeds

Directions

After a meal, chew ½-1 teaspoon of fennel seeds thoroughly. If you are pregnant, avoid fennel.

8. Baking Soda and Lemon

Being an alkaline, baking soda restores the pH balance in the body and counteracts infections, hence relieving your stomach ache as well as bloating and gas. Lemon is a good source of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that removes free radicals from the body and detoxifies it.

1. Add the juice from one lemon, one teaspoon of baking soda and one-quarter teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water.
2. Drink it immediately, before the fizz fizzles out.
3. Use this remedy three times a day until your stomach ache is reduced.

Note: Do not use this remedy if you have high blood pressure or you are on a low-sodium diet.


Source:  everydayroots.com