Natural remedies for Stomach Ache includes ginger, brat diet, clove oil, peppermint leaves, apple cider vinegar, aloe juice, basil leaves, licorice, coconut water, bananas, and yogurt.
Stomachaches have become so common, that many times we don’t even notice the pain when it’s there. Regardless, there are numerous reasons why you may experience stomach pain, ranging from nausea to gas and even acid reflux.
The good news is that most of the time a stomach ache will resolve itself without your intervention, or at most, using a natural at home remedy. This is why we’ve put together this list. There is no need to suffer when you probably have many effective remedies around your house right now which could give you relief in a short amount of time. Give these a shot the next time your experience a stomach ache, depending on the particular cause.
11 Natural Stomach Ache Remedies
1. Ginger
Ginger is one of the most popular spices used in meals across the world for its unique spicy, yet tasty flavor. But Ginger actually has a number of other potential uses, especially when it comes to treating stomachaches.
If you regularly experience nausea, that is the uncomfortable sensation that you want to hurl your stomach contents, then you know it feels like you’re walking on eggshells.
Ginger contains compounds that can help to promote the emptying of the stomach, which in turn then decreases symptoms of nausea. Retention of semi-digested food in the stomach is one of the leading causes of nausea, and may trigger vomiting episodes as a result.
To use, you can grate a bit of ginger and consume as is, or you could add it to your meals, or even consume as a tea. Many supermarkets even contain natural remedies in the form of lozenges that contain ginger marketed for the rapid relief of nausea.
2. The BRAT Diet
Even though that it may have a funny name, its efficacy is nothing to joke about. Best reserved for patients recovering from surgery, using chemotherapy, or persons with active ulcerations in the stomach and digestive tract, it can significantly help reduce symptoms of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or pain.
Each of the letters in BRAT represents a different food; in this case being bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. Each of these foods is high in starch, and capable of binding other foods and water in a matrix that can reduce the frequency of loose stools.
They also help reduce irritation in the stomach, and promote stomach emptying so that vomiting or nausea is minimized. Finally, as many causes of stomachache are associated with dehydration, each of these foods smartly contain potassium and magnesium to help replenish electrolytes that may be lost during vomiting or diarrhea.
3. Clove Oil
While consuming whole cloves are fine, clove oil standardized for its active constituents may be better suited to reducing symptoms of excess gas formation the stomach, also helping to relieve pain and pressure in the process.
Cloves may also help to relieve symptoms of vomiting and nausea, treat heartburn, and improve digestion itself. If the taste of clove oil is too intense for you, you can alternatively try to make a tea, or add it to a bit of honey to increase palatability.
4. Peppermint Leaves
Peppermint leaves or the oil are useful for helping to treat nausea, gas pressure or even heartburn, thanks to the many compounds it contains.
Peppermint oil helps small gas bubbles to gather together for easy passing, and help to speed up gastric emptying to reduce symptoms of nausea. Peppermint candies consumed after a meal are touted as digestive aides for this exact reason.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
Even though Apple cider vinegar is extremely acidic outside the body, it is one of those things that takes a complete turn when consumed, instead acting as an alkaline compound inside the body. More correctly, it is known as an alkaline forming compound and can be extremely useful for helping to neutralize excessive stomach acidity.
Apple cider vinegar may also help to decrease the digestion of starch to an extent, so that more enters the intestines where it can be used by the probiotic bacteria as fuel. Feel free to consume it however you feel comfortable; either diluted in water or with honey.
6. Aloe Juice
As the popularity of aloe juice has grown, you can often find it on supermarket shelves today. However, as with most processed and packaged goods, it loses a significant amount of its inherent benefits. It is better you extract the gel from aloe leaves and make your own juice.
Aloe juice provides effective relief for stomachache as a result of excessive stomach acidity, constipation or pain caused by ulcers. It may also help to manage symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, and help to foster healthy cultures of probiotic bacteria.
7. Basil Leaves
Basil leaves contain compounds which can help to promote the expulsion of gas bubbles, as well as relieve cramping that is normally associated with gas pressure.
Have a problem with excessive acid production? Basil leaves can also help. While you can ground leaves and consume as is with a little honey, if you prefer a longer-term solution is a good idea to try and add more to your meals. Alternatively, try drinking a bit of basil tea.
8. Licorice
Licorice root is extremely popular and well-known as a remedy for stomachache, showing the potential to help manage symptoms of gastritis or stomach ulcers by helping to relieve inflammation of the stomach walls.
The best way to consume licorice is by making into tea and consuming a few times daily. Over the course of a week or two you should notice marked improvement.
9. Coconut Water
Coconut water can be considered an isotonic electrolyte fluid, containing an excellent balance of the important electrolyte minerals magnesium and potassium. It is arguably a better option than many expensive sports rehydration beverages for sale today.
Ensuring your body gets the necessary amount of these electrolyte minerals helps to prevent stomach cramping, especially when vomiting or diarrhea is present.
The key is to slowly consume as much as 2 L over the course of a few hours, being sure to take a sip or two every 15 minutes or so, as more could trigger subsequent vomiting episodes.
10. Bananas
Bananas have been used traditionally for years to help relieve the pain associated with diarrhea, including cramping and spasms. Bananas also contain generous amounts of potassium, along with vitamin B6, to replace electrolytes lost.
By adding bulk to stools, diarrhea is resolved. Bananas also help to relieve stomach pain as a result of gastric ulceration.
11. Yogurt
Natural yogurt isn’t an immediate fix when it comes to stomachache, but if yours occurs frequently, it is one that is worth looking into.
It is naturally rich in calcium and probiotic bacteria, which help to fortify the cultures you already have present in your intestines. Low amounts of these bacteria can result in poor digestion, manifesting as cramping, diarrhea and nausea to name a few.
It is important, however, to consume natural yogurt over packaged varieties as these may contain high amounts of sugar.
Conclusion
It is important that you know when to consult a physician. Even though these remedies are great, if you notice no improvements after a few days, or worsening of stomachache symptoms, don’t hesitate to consult your physician.
Just be sure to try these, and see if your symptoms resolve themselves without much trouble first.
