Home Remedies for Stomachache due to indigestion

Home Remedies for Stomachache due to indigestion

If your abdominal pain is due to an upset stomach or indigestion, you might feel such symptoms as belching, nausea, bloated stomach and a general discomfort in your upper abdominal area including pain. You might be having indigestion and resultant stomach ache and discomfort due to one or many reasons including overeating, having spicy oily food, GERD, peptic ulcer and even smoking or anxiety. Certain medicines like antibiotics too lead to indigestion. Here are some home remedies for stomach ache or discomfort due to indigestion.

1. Cumin Seeds

Cumin has been long used for its fine properties that aid in digesting food. If you use cumin seeds in your cooking, you might not even suffer from indigestion at all. However, if anyway you feel uncomfortable due to all the food there in your stomach not getting digested, you may then take help of cumin seeds. This Mediterranean spice has been traditionally used as a treatment for inflammation and gastritis. Some people may feel symptoms of indigestion, abdominal pain or heartburn with gastritis. Cumin may help relieve these symptoms and grant relief from abdominal pain. The aroma of cumin due to its compound ‘cuminaldehyde’ activates secretion of saliva thus helping in digestion. Another compound of cumin called ‘thymol’ too activates gastric secretion for improving digestion. The method of consuming cumin given here is an Ayurvedic way of getting relief from stomach ache.
Get this:

  • Cumin seeds- 2 tbsp
  • Water- 4- ½ cups
  • Do this:
  • Add cumin seeds o the water.
  • Now boil this water for five minutes.
  • Let the cumin water cool down.
  • Now strain it and have this water everyday.

2. Lemon Juice
Citric acid in lemon juice triggers the production of hydrochloric acid in your body which breaks down the food. Not being able to break down the food to digest it properly is one of the main causes of Indigestion. Along with this,when you take lemon juice, you are helping your body keep itself hydrated enough to function smoothly.

Ways to have lemon juice for stomach ache

  • Get 1 glass of warm water, 1 tsp of lemon juice and 1 tsp of honey. Mix them well and have this lime-honey warm drink after each of your meals.
  • Get half a cup of water, 2 tsp of lemon juice and ¼ tsp of rock salt. Mix them well and have this lemon drink thrice a day.
  • Get 1 tsp of lemon juice, 1 tsp of mint juice, 1 tsp of ginger juice and a pinch of black salt. Have this mixture for immediate relief from discomfort in stomach due to indigestion.

3. Homemade Probiotic Drink

Probiotics, as you may be knowing, are the good bacteria that help your stomach do its job smoothly by digesting foods that you eat. When you suffer from indigestion, there are enough chances that these probiotics have diminished in amount leading to your indigestion and the resultant stomach discomfort and pain. Yogurt, the plain one without any flavor or sugar, is one of the best natural probiotics. Why mot combine it with some really effective ingredients for digestion and have it to get relief from stomach problems!

Get this:

  • Yogurt- 1-2 tbsp
  • Coriander leaves- few of them (enough to get 3 tsp of juice)
  • Salt- a pinch of it
  • Cardamom powder- ½ tsp
  • Do this:
  • Add the yogurt in your cup of water.
  • Add salt and mix well to get a buttermilk type of drink.
  • Crush the coriander leaves and place them on sieve, then press to extract out their juice.
  • Add 3 tsp of this coriander leaves juice to your yogurt-water mix.
  • Add cardamom powder to this and mix well.
  • Have this excellent probiotic drink one hour after each of your meals.

Remember to use only plain yogurt having live culture bacteria in it

4. Fennel Seeds

In India, it is a tradition to chew fennel seeds or have betel leaf prepared with various ingredients along with fennel seeds. Fennel seeds excellently cure indigestion by triggering off the secretion of digestive juices. This happens due to the compound of fennel seeds called anethole, a volatile oil. Anethole can cure inflammation of the stomach lining and give you relief from pain occurring due to this.

Ways to have fennel seeds for stomach ache

  • Chew half to one teaspoon of fennel seeds after your meals. Do this at least when you eat heavy, spicy, oily food.
  • Make fennel tea to get relief from stomach ache as well as cramps. Put 1 tsp of fennel seeds in a cup and pour hot water over it. Cover and let steep for 8-10 minutes. Strain and have this digestive tea thrice a day.
  • You can even have raw fennel instead of fennel seeds. Take a fresh slice of raw fennel bulb and chew this after meals.

5. Rice Tea
If your stomach ache is due to indigestion and you also suffer from diarrhea at the same time, you may consider using rice in various forms for alleviating your stomach problems. What we call rice tea is actually the left out water we get after cooking the rice. This rice water acts as a demulcent by reducing inflammation as it creates a barrier over a membrane, the lining of your stomach.
Get this:

  • Rice- ½ cup
  • Water- 6 cups
  • Honey (optional)- 1-2 tsp
  • Do this:
  • Wash the rice and keep aside.
  • Boil water.
  • When it starts boiling, add rice to it.
  • Cover and let it boil for 15 minutes or till the rice becomes tender. Keep stirring in between.
  • Once the rice gets cooked, strain and save the rice for later use.
  • Let the water drained from cooked rice cool down a little. You have to make it warm.
  • Add honey if needed and sip this warm rice tea to relive stomach ache.

Home Remedies for Stomach Ache due to Gas Formation

When your stomach growls, groans, churns, turns, bloats, burns, or aches with intolerable cramps and pains, this may be due to formation of gas. You may feel uneasiness, bloating, nausea, headache, irritability and even chest pain as if you have got a heart attack! Gas formation is mainly caused due to indigestion of carbohydrates and cellulose along with other reasons like air swallowing when eating or talking. While you need to watch what you eat and drink, here are some remedies for such stomach ache due to gastric troubles.

6. Baking Soda for Stomach Ache due to Gastric Trouble
Any of the antacids that you buy from market to get relief from that bloating stomach, indigestion or accompanying nausea, it uses baking soda as its basic ingredient. So, why not use baking soda to make your own homemade antacid! Baking soda decreases excessive amounts of hydrochloric acid in your stomach. When the acid in your stomach acid combines with baking soda, it creates a chemical reaction which neutralizes the effect on the acid, thus giving you relief from stomach ache.

Ways to use baking soda for stomach ache

  • Mix ½ to 1 tsp of baking soda with 1 cup or 1 glass of water (whichever you can finish), and have this to get instant relief from gas-causing stomach pain.
  • You may also use warm water with baking soda. Mix ½ to 1 tsp of this soda with a cup of warm water and have it.
  • Make your own homemade antacid with baking soda. Squeeze lemon juice of half or 1 lemon in half glass of water. Now add 2 tsp of baking soda and a pinch of salt to this lemon water. Mix and have it. You’ll burp after a while pushing out all the gas from your stomach which was causing pain. This will even cure headache which you get due to gas.

However, you need to exercise a caution while using baking soda. Baking soda is nothing else but sodium bicarbonate, a sodium compound, a salt. If you suffer from high blood pressure or have been told by your physician to restrict sodium in your diet, you better use some other remedies for stomach ache.

7. Ginger for Stomach Ache due to Gas, Indigestion
Ginger, like some other home remedies, has been used since a long time to treat stomach ache. While our grandma or mama didn’t know and used it as a tradition, we know that ginger has in it the compounds called gingerols and shogaols. These compounds aids your muscles of intestinal track relax. This in turn, gives you relief from stomach ache occurring due to indigestion as well as gas.

Ginger also gets you rid of nauseating feeling accompanying your stomach ache. While you can have ginger in any form, raw ginger is far more beneficial than the dry one. Also, ginger ale is better avoided because it has more artificial flavors and sugars than having real ginger. Ginger candies too have a lots of sugar that may aggravate your problem. Instead, have ginger tea or use one of these ways to have ginger for stomach ache

Ways to use ginger for stomach ache
Make ginger tea by chopping a 1-2 inches piece of fresh ginger root after washing and peeling it. Boil 1-2 cups of water and add the ginger pieces to it. Let it boil for 2-3 minutes. Put off the flame and let it steep for another couple of minutes. Strain and add 1-2 tsp of honey which is entirely optional. You can have ginger tea without mixing honey too.

  • If you can’t get the raw ginger or you can’t stand the strong flavor of raw ginger, use 1-2 tsp of ginger powder to make your tea and have it.
  • Adding ginger powder to a glass of plain water and having it will also relieve you of stomach ache.
  • You can simple chew on a fresh piece of ginger though it will be a lot spicy so do it if you can stand it. If you want, sprinkle a little black salt before chewing the ginger pieces.
  • You may also crush a little piece of fresh ginger and extract its juice. Mix 1 tsp of such ginger juice with ½ tsp of ghee (clarified butter) and get relief from abdominal pain the Ayurveda way.
  • Fresh ginger juice can also be rubbed on the bottom belly to cure stomach ache, especially in children as they may not be able to ingest ginger.

8. Ajwain, Caraway and Other Seeds for Stomach Ache
There are certain herbs that are known as carminatives. They are great for digestion. For example, caraway seeds loaded with vitamins and minerals stop the growth of bad bacteria causing indigestion,gas and bloating. Some of such other seeds include cumin seeds, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, anise seeds, dill seed, and ajwain (sometimes called carom seeds).

Ways to use herbal seeds for stomach ache

  • Chew on some caraway seeds after every meal. A generous pinch or two can do. You can also chew them when you feel gas in your stomach.
  • Make a herbal tea by boiling 1-2 tsp of any of the seeds like cumin, fennel, coriander, anise, dill, ajwain or caraway seeds in 1-2 cups of water. You can even use a mixture of two or more of these seeds. Let the drink cool down and sip it to get relief from indigestion or gas induced stomach ache.
  • Take ½ tablespoon of water and add ajwain (sometimes also called bishopweed) and black salt in it. Take ajwain in four parts and black salt in one part. Mix them well with half tablespoon of water and have this to get instant relief from stomach pain and bloating.
  • Take ½ cup of warm water. Add 1 tsp ajwain, 8-10 drops of lemon juice and a pinch of black salt to it. Mix well and have it to relieve of stomach pain.
  • Make caraway seeds tea. Add a cup of hot water to 1 tsp of caraway seeds. Cover and steep for 8-10 minutes. Strain and drink this herbal tea thrice a day.

9. Mint Tea for Stomach Ache due to Indigestion and Gas
This is a folk remedy for stomach ache and it works. Fresh mint tea or peppermint tea, if you prefer to call it like this, can relax your stomach muscles and help smooth flow of bile (the digestive juice) so that you can digest your food properly and do not have stomach ache. This is equally true in case of gas and bloating and that’s why you find so many mint flavored antacids in market. Chewing some fresh mint leaves can do the wonders. You can even mix juice extracted from mint leaves in some water and have. However, mint tea not only cures your stomach ache but also refreshes you up so make mint tea for yourself.

Get this:

  • Fresh mint leaves- handful of them OR dried mint- 1-2 tsp
  • water- 1 cup
  • Do this:
  • Boil the water.
  • Add mint leaves to this.
  • Cover and steep for 5-10 minutes.
  • No need to strain if you have used fresh leaves.
  • Sip the tea slowly feeling that your pain is going away.
  • Chew the leaves too, if you can.

Home Remedies for Stomach Ache due to Stomach Ulcers
Most of the time stomach ache is due to gas formation in your stomach and some other times it is due to heartburn. The home remedies cited above will be enough to give you relief from stomach ache that you get from either cases. However, if the pain doesn’t go away, it could be due to stomach ulcers. It can be misunderstood as heartburn as you get a burning sensation along with acute pain usually in the upper abdomen and this can last for upto three hours. You get stomach ulcers when the mucous lining of your stomach is damaged either by hydrochloric acid present in digestive juices or Helicobacter pylori, an infection causing bacteria. Here are some home remedies for your stomach ache that you get from stomach ulcers.

10. Dandelion Root Tea for Stomach ulcer related Abdominal pain
Any part of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) plant can be used as a remedy for stomach ulcers. You can add dandelion in your salads or vegetables stir fries. However, the juice extracted from the root of dandelion is the most effective thing to have. You can make dandelion tea for this effect.
Get this:

  • Dandelion root herb- 1-2 tsp
  • Water- 1-2 cups
  • Do this:
  • Boil the water.
  • Add dandelion herb
  • Cover and let steep for 5-10 minutes.
  • Strain and have the tea
  • Have this tea for 2-4 weeks to cure stomach ulcers and then stop taking it. You will get rid of stomach ache due to ulcers. However, avoid having dandelion root tea if you have an allergy to such plants as ragweed, marigolds, daises or chrysanthemums.

11. Potato Juice for Stomach Ache due to Ulcers
Against the popular belief that potatoes are not good for health, this vegetable actually can relieve you of various stomach related ailments. Potatoes have in them, a unique antibacterial molecule which can treat stomach ulcers. What is interesting that the bacteria present in stomach cannot resist potato juice. Although all potatoes are good, the types of potatoes recognized as Maris Piper and King Edward are best suited to cure stomach ulcers. Potato juice can, in fact, apart from peptic ulcers, can cure heartburn, constipation and even gout and Rheumatism!

  • Get this:
  • Potatoes- enough to get ¼ cup of juice
  • Water- ¾ cup
  • Lemon juice (optional)- 1-2 tsp
  • Honey (optional)- 1-2 tsp
  • Do this:
  • In the morning, crush or grind the potatoes and extract their juice to get ¼ cup of potato juice.
  • Add ¾ cup of water to the potato juice. Now you have 1 cup of diluted potato juice.
  • Have this on an empty stomach every morning.
  • If you cannot stand the taste of raw potato juice, mix lemon juice and honey to this and have it.

When you suffer from stomach ache, this is a sign that your stomach needs some rest. Be kind to your digestive system and eat light and simple foods. Avoid having spicy and hot foods and also those made in too much of oil. Follow the rule of having simple diet like rice, toast, bananas, herbal tea, yogurt, buttermilk, lemon juice etc. Use spices like cumin seeds, ajwain, caraway seeds etc. in your dishes. Chew mint or fennel seeds after your meals. If you suffer from gas, try doing exercise regularly even if simple walking for 30 minutes a day. Taking these measures will keep your stomach ache at bay. However, if your abdominal pain persists and you do not get relief from any number of home remedies for stomach ache, you should consult your doctor because then your stomach ache can be a symptom of certain serious ailment which may need medical intervention


Why sitting is the new smoking

Why sitting is the new smoking

If we estimate the exact time we spend sitting, it comes to around to about 10-12 hours per day. This includes driving, sitting at your workplace, relaxing at home and other such activities. Thought to be as bad for your health as smoking, the number of hours you spend sitting directly affects your health{1}. So much so, that in her book Don’t Lose Out, Work Out, Rujuta Diwekar mentions that sitting predisposes you to a variety of diseases like diabetes, heart disease, high levels of cholesterol and an overall sluggish system.

Sit at your own risk!

Sitting for long hours can lead to certain disorders like chronic fatigue syndrome accompanied by anemia, insomnia, digestive problems, lethargy, etc. Apart from that, it may also give rise to inactivity stress syndrome –a condition where a person suffers from stress without doing any work. Also read how sitting can lead to excessive accumulation of fat around your hips.

At the work place, a sedentary lifestyle is accompanied with bad dietary habits like eating junk food, irregular eating habits or eating on the run and drinking unhealthy beverages like tea, coffee or soft drinks. This completely upsets your normal metabolic function which may lead to conditions like acidity, constipation, ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome.

Can lead to spinal problems

The way you sit or your posture can be one of the causes for spinal problems or common pains along the neck, shoulders and lower back. Bad posture or sitting the wrong way can lead to muscle strain and eventually severe back problems. Apart from that, you could also suffer from muscle and bone loss as well. This problem is no more unique to the elderly, experts have found that even in teenagers; continuous sitting can be a reason for muscle pain and bone loss. Read more about yoga asanas to strengthen your spine.

Another major ill effect of sitting is obesity. Sitting is known to lead to accumulation of belly fat, thereby increasing the amount of bad cholesterol in your body. This in turn leads to diabetes and heart problems.

Tips to keep the ill-effects of sitting at bay:

While watching TV, take a short walk during the commercial breaks. Alternatively you can choose to finish some work between your regular TV shows. While at work, take short walks either around your office or outside. This will not only help you relax and refresh your mind but will keep you fit as well.

Make your food habits healthier. Avoid eating junk food and try some healthy snack options instead.
Practice relaxing and stretching exercises like yoga, which can be done while sitting at home or even in the office. Read more about yoga poses you can practice at your workplace.

Source: The health site


5 reasons why Pineapples are good for you

5 reasons why Pineapples are good for you

Summers are here with all their heat, sweat and high humidity levels leaving you exhausted and de-energised. To beat the heat, pineapple is one of the best food packed with anti-oxidants.

Its anti-oxidant properties not just helps fight against diseases like atherosclerosis, heart diseases, and various cancers, but also aids digestion and boosts immune system to save you from this scorching heat.
Here are a few health benefits of this unique fruit:

  •  Pineapple helps in building strong bones as it is a rich source of manganese.
  •  Drinking a glass of pineapple juice can help keep gums healthy and strong teeth.
  •  Since, pineapple is a power house of beta-carotene, it helps in fighting macular degeneration.
  •  It is very helpful in weight-loss as it is a fruit rich in fibres and low in calories.
  •  Eating pineapples also boosts metabolism, provides nourishment to hair, skin and nails.

Source: zee news


Top 5 health benefits of Buttermilk (Chaas)

Top 5 health benefits of Buttermilk (Chaas)

With its distinctive texture and tangy taste, buttermilk is one drink which has to be a part of your meal specially during summers. Buttermilk is a probiotic food and has great health benefits.

Here are a few health benefits of the drink:

  • – Buttermilk has acid in it which fights germs and bacteria and helps clear stomach and aid digestion.
  • – It is very helpful for those who are looking to lose weight.
  • – It is a rich source of Vitamin B12 and so is believed to help fight anaemia and stress.
  • – Since it contains electrolytes and lots of water, it is the best treat to give to your body to fight dehydration.
  • – After having a heavy, oily and spicy meal, buttermilk works best to drain out excessive fat from the body and making your stomach light.
  • – Buttermilk also works as one of the best remedies to treat acidity.

Source: Zee news


Ginger, the perfect home remedy for indigestion

ginger-short-post

If you frequently suffer from digestive problems and flatulence (gas in the stomach), try ginger.

Ginger helps in digestion and improves absorption and assimilation of essential nutrients. It also helps break down the proteins in your food. Ginger promotes mucus secretion and protects your stomach against ulcers. Apart from that, its carminative (gas expulsion) property provides relief from bloating and gas and helps reduce flatulence. Here are some tips to keep flatulence away.

Apart from these, ginger has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, and anti-emetic properties. It helps to decrease inflammation, swelling and pain due to its ability to inhibit prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis. Ginger also inhibits serotonin receptors and has the ability to break up and expel intestinal gas (carminative effect) which makes it a good antiemetic agent. Its antioxidant activity, the ability to induce cell death (apoptosis) and suppressing certain protein bestows it with anticancer properties as well. Moreover, compounds found in ginger are known to suppress allergic reactions as well. All these properties make ginger a powerhouse of health benefits.

So, if you are suffering from indigestion you could try the following home remedies:

Tip#1: Wash and peel some fresh ginger. Now crush it and squeeze out the juice. Collect it in a small cup and drink the concentrate once a day. You will definitely find instant relief.

Tip#2: Cut fresh ginger into thin slices. Now place the piece at the back of the mouth and bit into it once. Do not swallow it and allow the juice of the ginger to slowly enter your stomach. This remedy also helps in relieving indigestion.

Tip#3: This remedy is great for those of you who suffer from indigestion with nausea. Take a thin slice of ginger and sprinkle some salt on it. Chew on it the same way as in tip#2. This will also help reduce nausea and indigestion.

Source: the health site


Practice Apanasana to help ease bloating

Apanasana, which comes from two Sanskrit words: “Apana” (meaning downward-flowing life force) and “asana” (meaning pose), has many therapeutic benefits.

Practicing this yoga asana helps restore proper flow and function to the organs of your torso. Known as Knees-to-Chest pose it helps relieve indigestion, bloating, flatulence, acidity and constipation by helping you get rid of excess digestive air. It is often recommended for those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. It keeps your low back limber, calms the mind and also rebalances your energy.How to do it:

  • Lie on your back with arms and legs extended.
  • Draw both knees to your chest as you exhale. Clasp the hands around them.
  • Keep the back flat on the mat. Release shoulder blades down towards the waist.
  • Draw the tailbone and sacrum down towards the mat, lengthening the spine even more.
  • If possible, move the body backward and forward or side-to-side for a gentle spinal massage.
  • Tuck your chin slightly and gaze down the centre line of your body.
  • Hold for up to one minute. Keep your breath smooth and even.
  • With an exhalation, release and extend both legs along the floor and rest.
  • Repeat up to six times.

Source: Zee news