HOME REMEDIES FOR INDIGESTION

Indigestion, also known by the medical term dyspepsia, is due to a problem in the secretion of digestive juices in the stomach. Usually, indigestion occurs after eating spicy or fatty foods or overeating.

It can also be triggered or made worse due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome, stress or anxiety, obesity, ulcers, a stomach infection, thyroid disease, smoking and certain medications.

Some symptoms of indigestion are bloating, gas, growling stomach, abdominal pain, burning sensation in the upper abdomen, acidic taste and vomiting

Natural Remedies

Coriander 

Coriander is an effective spice to treat indigestion as it promotes the production of digestive enzymes and helps calm the stomach.

• Add one teaspoon of roasted coriander seed powder to a glass of buttermilk and drink it once or twice a day.
• To reduce acidity in the stomach, extract the juice of fresh coriander leaves and mix one teaspoon of this juice in one cup of buttermilk. Drink it two or three times a day

Fennel Seeds

Dry, roast and grind fennel seeds to make a powder. Take half a teaspoon of this powder twice a day along with water. 

Black Pepper

Black pepper can increase the flow of gastric juices and thus help in digestion. Powdered black pepper with crushed jaggery can be taken along buttermilk during indigestion. A fine powder of black pepper, dried mint leaves, ginger powder and coriander seeds, all taken in equal amounts, can be consumed twice a day (one teaspoon) to treat gas and indigestion.

Cloves

Cloves can increase gut motility and gastrointestinal secretions thus helping in digestion and curing gas and indigestion problems. Pieces of cloves can be directly consumed or clove oil can be used to get rid of stomach irritability.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar helps in providing our stomach with the much required acid. 

Mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in 1 cup water and add 1 teaspoon honey. Drink this solution two to three times a day.

Buttermilk

Buttermilk is a wonder remedy when it comes to treating indigestion and gas. It is easier to digest than milk and contains more lactic acid. Buttermilk is already recommended to keep yourself cool in harsh summers and its digestive benefits just give you another reason to drink up a glass of buttermilk.

Herbal Tea

Mint, raspberry and blackberry tea can be taken after a heavy meal to reduce indigestion. Peppermint and chamomile work as great stomach pain relievers too.  One can dip an herbal tea bag in warm water and enjoy the warm herbal tea. Fresh mint leaves or dried chamomile flowers can also be dipped in water.

Garlic 

The pungent heating quality of garlic is what makes it work so efficiently. Consume garlic in a soup where the hot water helps it to get absorbed by your digestive system faster. Boil ground garlic in water for a few minutes and add some black pepper and cumin seeds. Strain this mixture and let it cool. Drinking this two or three times a day 

Ginger

Ginger as a food ingredient or in a strong ginger tea helps in causing stimulation of saliva, bile juices and gastric juices while all these play important roles in digestion. Drinking ginger tea is certainly much more beneficial to get rid of gas and indigestion problems than coffee and soda.

Cardamom

The volatile oil present in it helps to cure a number of digestive disorders including gas and indigestion. The cardamom seeds can be consumed alone or one can add roasted cardamom powder to the vegetables while cooking. Cardamom tea is also an excellent way to treat indigestion. Drinking the tea several times a day will speed up your digestive process

Lemon

Mixed with hot water, lemon juice can help you get rid of nausea, heartburn and belching. It acts as a blood purifier, as a cleansing agent and stimulates digestion by helping the body to produce bile juices. 

Drinking fresh lemon water first thing in the morning can help you prevent many kinds of digestive disorders and have a healthy digestive system.

Warm water

It helps clean our body by flushing out all the toxins present and also breaks down the food to make it easier for our body to digest it. 

Having a glass of warm water in the morning is a healthy practice and will keep your digestive system on track. Also having warm water after meals proves to be beneficial for your stomach.

Carom seeds

Carom seeds or ajwain facilitate the release of gut juices thus increasing the digestive function of our intestinal tract. The simplest way to consume ajwain is swallowing 5-10 seeds with a pinch of salt and washing it down your throat with water, it will give immediate relief.

Asafoetida

A pinch of asafoetida can be added to a glass of warm water and consumed two to three times a day

Basil Leaves

Basil is an excellent remedy for indigestion and ACID REFLUX. It also helps relieve intestinal gas and has carminative properties.

• Add one teaspoon of basil to a cup of hot water and allow it to stand for 10 minutes. Drink up to three cups of this tea a day.
• Mix 5 or 6 ground basil leaves, ¼ teaspoon of sea salt and a little black pepper powder in 2 to 3 tablespoons of plain yogurt. Consume it 2 or 3 times a day.

Cumin

Cumin has a long history of use as a remedy for digestive problems including indigestion, nausea, diarrhea, and flatulence. It stimulates the secretion of pancreatic enzymes that aid digestion.

• Mix one teaspoon of roasted cumin seed powder in a glass of water and drink it.
• For heaviness in the stomach, add one-quarter teaspoon each of roasted cumin seed powder and black pepper to a glass of buttermilk and drink it two or three times a day for a few days.

Tips

• Eat smaller and more frequent meals.
• Eat slowly.
• Avoid extremely spicy and fatty foods.
• Avoid binge eating.
• Do not lie down immediately after a meal.
• Cut back on your alcohol consumption.
• Stop smoking.
• Manage stress.
• Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.
• Discuss with your doctor about changing the medications that tend to irritate the stomach lining. Try to cut back on pain relievers.