Indigestion could occur due to numerous reasons. But, what it really means is that the food you have consumed is having a hard time passing through the digestive tract. You could be experiencing nausea or acid reflux or both during its occurrence, this happens when stomach acids make its way into esophagus.
Like mentioned before ingestion covers a lot of ground and there are too many possibilities for its occurrence, some of the common and less serious ones eating too much, eating too quickly, consuming foods that are hard to digest, eating spoiled foods, eating foods your body don’t agree, having too much or too little stomach acids.
On most occasions your indigestion problem can easily be cleared away using these simple home remedies listed below. However, if you notice the problem stays on irrespective of all measures you take to prevent it, then it is better to consult your Doctor to figure out what could be the reason behind your persistent indigestion problem.
1. Drink Ginger Tea
Ginger is pretty popular choice when it comes to settling down your ingestion problem. It is well known to improve your digestion. This is because ginger is very effective in soothing the stomach and reducing the production of stomach acids. Best way to consume ginger is by preparing a tea using freshly grated ginger. Take one or two teaspoons of freshly grated ginger and let it steep in a glass of boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain it out and drink the tea with little honey (optional).
2. Drink Chamomile Tea
Though there is no scientific backing that chamomile helps with indigestion, it is a traditionally used to herb to treat acid reflux and stomach problems. It is believed that it soothes the stomach and spasms in the digestive tract and calms down stomach upset. Additionally, it reduces anxiety and helps you to sleep better. To treat indigestion consume a few cups of chamomile tea throughout the day. It can be prepared by steeping a teaspoon of dried herb into a cup of boiling water 10 minutes. Strain and drink the tea without adding any sugar or honey.
3. Peppermint oil
There are some clinical that suggest peppermint oil can help with clearing out ingestion problems and spasms in the intestinal tract. Peppermint oil capsules are easily available in most health stores. Take one or two capsules that contain about 0.2 ml of oil three times a day between your meals.
Alternatively, you can prepare peppermint tea steeping 1 or 2 teaspoons of dried herb to a cup of hot water for few minutes.
4. Drink Fennel Tea
Fennel has been used to treat indigestion problem and to enhance digestion since Egyptian times. It is traditionally used spice in China and India for centuries. It contains certain oils that increases or stimulates the production of gastric juices, thereby it enhances digestion and cures indigestion problems. Additionally, these oils have carminative properties, meaning it helps to remove gas from the intestines.
Steep 2 to 3 teaspoons of crushed seeds in a cup of hot boiling water for 10 minutes. Strain out the seeds and drink the tea two to three times a day to get relief from indigestion and stomach upset.
You can also chew on some seeds after every meal to ensure proper digestion.
5. Consume Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL)
Acid reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter fails to close completely which makes the way for the stomach acids to reach the esophagus. DGL or Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice is believed to ease this problem. Additionally, it forms a coating on the lining of the stomach and soothes indigestion and stomach upset. Chew some tablets of DGL few times a day (follow the label for dosage recommendation).
6. Drink Apple Cider Vinegar Solution
Often times indigestion occurs after a large meal because your stomach doesn’t have enough acid to digest all that food. To make up for the lack of acids you can mix one or two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to half a cup of water and drink it after the meals. This will increase the acidic levels of your stomach and help you to digest your food better.
7 Lemon and Baking Soda Solution
Highly acidic stomach can also lead to stomach upset and acid reflux. Baking soda solution is alkaline in nature so it helps to neutralize the stomach acid and help relieving painful gas. On some rare occasions baking soda could explode in the stomach leading to tears. So, it is recommended to add a little lime juice to baking soda solution to dispel some gas before it reaches your stomach.
8 Drink Hot Water
Though there are not many scientific studies that confirm the effectiveness of hot water for indigestion, many users of hot water stand by its effectiveness in real life. Drink a cup of hot water few times a day or after your meal.
9. Eat Slowly
Eating too fast will make you swallow more air to your stomach, this can cause bloating, flatulence, and sometimes could trigger indigestion. Eat slowly and deliberately, take more time to chew your food and ensure the saliva mixes with your food completely before swallowing.
If you are in for a big meal for dinner, try to take it three hours before going to sleep. You digest your food better when you are up, and not while you are sleeping.