The term is used Dyspepsia to describe the burning and pain in the upper belly. Symptoms like bloating, nausea, burping, and gas often show up after eating or drinking.
Treatment for indigestion usually involves lifestyle and diet changes plus taking over-the-counter antacids. Some home remedies, like baking soda, can also help ease symptoms.
In this article, we'll cover the top 9 home treatments that can quickly ease indigestion symptoms and bring back comfort and wellness.
Relieving indigestion: the best natural and common ways to improve digestion
Here are nine ways to get rid of or relieve indigestion:-
1. Sodium Bicarbonate "Baking Soda"
Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, is a safe and effective way to neutralize stomach acid. It reduces acidity, gas, bloating, and heartburn after eating.
To use baking soda at home as an antacid, dissolve ½ tablespoon in 120 ml of water. Drink it within one to two hours after eating. You can repeat every two hours as needed until symptoms improve.
Studies say adults shouldn't take more than seven doses of ½ tablespoon of baking soda in 24 hours. Adults over 60 should not take more than three doses of ½ tablespoon. Don't use it for more than two weeks.
Also, kids under 12 should avoid baking soda unless a healthcare provider says otherwise.
2. Over-the-Counter Antacids
There are many OTC meds that can effectively ease symptoms. Antacids like Tums and Alka-Seltzer neutralize acid and give quick stomach relief.
Also, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like Prilosec and Prevacid help by blocking stomach acid production and provide fast relief from indigestion.
You should avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs like Advil or aspirin to control indigestion. These meds won't help and might actually make symptoms worse.
3. Chamomile Tea
More studies are needed to confirm it, but a warm cup of chamomile tea might ease indigestion. Research shows chamomile can help with stomach upset, gas, and irritation in the digestive system.
Also, chamomile helps relax the digestive muscles that move food through the intestines, improving digestion and reducing bloating.
Chamomile contains coumarin, which thins the blood. So if you're on blood thinners like warfarin, check with your healthcare provider before drinking chamomile tea.
4. Peppermint Oil and Caraway Oil
Early studies show a mix of peppermint and caraway oil can help relax stomach muscles and improve indigestion symptoms.
A review with 350 participants found that those treated with peppermint and caraway oils were much more likely to see overall symptom improvement in indigestion compared to those on a placebo.
Most studies used an enteric capsule with 50 mg of caraway oil and 90 mg of peppermint oil.
5. Ginger
Ginger is known for helping with nausea. Studies show it can also ease indigestion by speeding up stomach contractions, letting food move faster through the digestive system. This can cut down gas, bloating, and feeling full.
Also, studies found ginger supplements might improve indigestion symptoms by 35%-73% in those with indigestion caused by bacteria H-pylori stomach bacteria.
Though more quality studies are needed to nail down dosage and effectiveness, some experts recommend 1.2 grams of ginger root powder to treat indigestion.
You can also drink a warm cup of ginger tea, suck on ginger candy, or boil fresh ginger in hot water. Most studies say the daily max for ginger is 4 grams.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
Even though there’s not much research backing it, most people with indigestion may feel better after drinking a mix containing apple cider vinegar ACV.
Indigestion can happen if you don’t have enough acid in your stomach to digest food properly. If this fits your case, drinking apple cider vinegar might help raise stomach acid.
To ease symptoms, dilute 1-2 tablespoons of raw unpasteurized apple cider vinegar in 240 ml of water. Don’t drink too much because it can cause tooth enamel damage and throat irritation.
7. Aloe Vera Juice
Recent studies suggest aloe vera might help ease indigestion. One study found aloe vera juice effectively reduced heartburn, burping, nausea, and gas without serious side effects reported.
Aloe vera is thought to work by lowering acid production in the stomach.
8. Licorice
Licorice has been used for years to treat digestive problems, including gastritis "gastric lining inflammation", andulcers, and the disease gastroesophageal reflux GERD.
In one study, 50 adults with indigestion were given either a placebo "inactive sugar pills" or a capsule with 75 mg of licorice extract for 30 days. People who took the licorice extract reported clear symptom improvement compared to those who took the placebo.
Even though it's generally safe, eating a lot of licorice can lower potassium levels potassium and can cause high blood pressure. So people with high blood pressure andkidney disease should avoid licorice unless their healthcare provider says otherwise.
9. Fennel seeds
Fennel is known as a remedy to improve the digestion process, and is usually used to treat indigestion, gas, bloating, and constipation,
Studies show that fennel essential oil works by relaxing the intestinal muscles and reducing gas. It can also help reduce the feeling of fullness.
You can make fennel tea by adding ½ to 1 teaspoon of crushed fennel seeds to boiling water and letting it steep for 5-10 minutes. Alternatively, add one or two drops of fennel essential oil to a cup of chamomile or mint tea.
Urgent symptoms you should not ignore
If someone has indigestion and shows these symptoms, their condition might be more serious and they should seek urgent medical care, These symptoms include:-
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Vomiting blood.
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Painful swallowing.
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Difficulty swallowing.
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Chest pain.
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Black tarry stool.
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Shortness of breath.
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Heavy sweating.
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Yellowing of the skin.
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Whiteness of the eyes.
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Severe and ongoing belly pain.
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Unexplained weight loss.
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Chronic vomiting.
In the end, indigestion can cause annoying symptoms like heartburn, bloating, nausea, and belly discomfort. It’s usually treated with over-the-counter meds, and you can also talk to your healthcare provider about trying other treatments to ease symptoms, like the ones mentioned above.
