We all get aches or sour stomachs regularly or at least twice a year.
Pain in the stomach that keeps coming back is annoying because it makes us feel bad and hard to work.
I’m sure you’ve tried a few pain relief remedies in the past, or you’re still wondering how to get rid of a stomach ache.
The only way to treat it effectively is to find out what is causing it.
There are many reasons for belly pain in adults.
According to a report published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, “abdominal pain is more typical of a stomach virus, indigestion, or gas.”
Causes of stomach pain can be gastritis, bloat, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux, or heartburn. It can also spring from diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), abdominal migraines, stomach ulcers, appendicitis, or gastroenteritis which require urgent medical treatment for relief and total cure.
People with an upset stomach experience pain, usually caused by indigestion, gas, vomiting, a viral infection, or certain food allergies.
Other reasons for it also could include depression, anxiety, excess alcohol intake, dehydration, food poisoning, chill or hot weather, contaminated foods and drinks, overeating, or an overgrowth of small intestinal bacteria.
Most women experience belly pain caused by menstrual cramps or period pain.
Common symptoms of an upset stomach include cramping, nausea, headaches, fatigue, chills, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea,
10 Home Remedies For Stomach Ache
Many home remedies for stomach pain can give instant pain relief. The natural treatments work best for the occasional issues discussed above.
However, recurrent and persistent pain in the abdomen caused by serious disorders such as appendicitis, IBD, stomach ulcers, and others require proper medical attention and care under the guidance of a physician.
In this scenario, home remedies for an upset stomach would give only temporary relief but not a permanent cure.
Recurring or serious health issues should not be treated at home; you should see a doctor at the earliest.
1. Drink ginger root tea
The natural chemicals in fresh ginger root, such as gingerols and shogaols, may help relax the intestinal tract and stomach muscles. This is particularly effective for getting rid of muscle cramps.
Ginger extracts are effective for relieving nausea and facilitating peristalsis, the smooth movement of undigested foods that otherwise might cause gas formation, stomach aches, and vomiting
Boil two cups of water with two tablespoons of finely sliced ginger roots. Strain out the tea into a bowl and drink it lukewarm. You can also add 1 tablespoon of honey if you wish to.
You may also use ginger ale which is a carbonated soft drink flavored with ginger.
2. Drink rice water
”Rice water is the suspension of starch obtained by draining boiled rice or boiling rice until it completely dissolves into the water.” Drinking this water soothes stomach aches, especially those caused by cholera or gastroenteritis.
The rice water acts like a demulcent, which may help ease swelling and clears up blockages on the stomach lining.
To make rice water, boil 12 cups of rice in 2 cups; when the rice is fully cooked, strain out the starch water and drink it lukewarm.
3. Drink peppermint tea
Peppermint tea works great for pain caused by indigestion and gas. Peppermint contains natural ingredients that help to relax the stomach muscles and improve the flow of bile, which helps with flatulence.
Take a cup of boiling water and add 10 peppermint leaves to it. Give 10 minutes for the leaf extract to dissolve in the water. Then strain the leaves and drink the water. Chewing down a few mint leaves is also a good remedy for an upset stomach.
Peppermint oil also works great for calming pain in the intestine area. You can drink two drops of peppermint essential oil diluted in one cup of warm water.
4. Drink chamomile tea
Chamomile, or camomile, is the common name for several daisy-like plants with anti-inflammatory properties. Since ancient times, this has been a widely used ingredient in many herb-infusion medicines for common ailments such as asthma, colic, fevers, inflammations, nausea, and many more.
Chamomile tea helps relieve stomach pain caused by gastritis and the overgrowth of gut bacteria. This is good for relaxing the muscles in the digestive tract, allowing undigested foods’ smooth movement through the alimentary canal.
You can buy chamomile tea, usually available in tea bag pouches. Boil a cup of water and dip the chamomile tea bag in it; let the tea extracts dissolve in the water for 10 minutes. Then, to relieve stomach issues, drink lukewarm chamomile tea.
5. Drink warm lemon water
If you are wondering what to do when your stomach hurts, drink warm lemon water to get instant relief.
Drinking warm lemon water helps increase the production of hydrochloric acid, which helps in the faster breakdown of food. The citric acid and malic acid abundant in lemon aid digestion and indigestion. These acids in lemon also help to prevent harmful intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
Take one cup of warm water and add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 2 teaspoons of honey for drinking. Drinking lemon juice every morning when you have stomach pain caused by indigestion is good.
Drinking lemon water has several other health benefits, especially for weight loss and healthy bowel movements.
6. Drink apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is an effective stomach pain reliever.
Apple cider vinegar’s acidic and antiseptic properties help improve digestion and dispel waste. Drinking apple cider vinegar is one of the popular home remedies for indigestion. It may also prevent gastritis, which leads to abdominal pain.
Take a glass of warm water and add 3 teaspoons of ACV; drink it 20 minutes before a meal or to treat stomach pain.
Drinking ACV also has several other health benefits, like weight loss, clearing sinuses, getting rid of sore throats, wart removal, teeth whitening, and foul body odor removal.
7. Drink baking soda dilution
Drinking baking soda solutions can help neutralize stomach upsets and reflux disease.
Baking soda is an antacid that can help restore pH levels, detox the stomach, and reduce the impact of acids that cause ulcers in the stomach. Baking soda is beneficial for the faster breakdown of fats, which will assist in preventing indigestion and inflammation.
Take a glass of warm water and add one teaspoon of baking soda; stir well and drink to relieve stomach problems.
8. Homemade probiotic drinks
One of the major reasons for stomach aches, especially those caused by indigestion, is the lack of probiotic bacteria. Probiotics or friendly bacteria are necessary for the healthy digestion of foods and the absorption of nutrients.
Most indigestion problems can be easily remedied by eating probiotics and fermented foods such as kefir, yogurt, kombucha, and Lacto-fermented vegetables.
If you are suffering from indigestion and subsequent abdominal pain, daily having a glass of yogurt is a good home remedy to overcome the issue.
9. Chew fennel seeds
Fennel seed is an important ingredient in many traditional natural remedies for stomach ailments in the Chinese, Indian, and Egyptian systems of home remedies.
Fennel seeds contain medicinal compounds, such as anethole, limonene, anisic aldehydes, fenchone, chavicol, pinene, myrcene, and cineole. These properties have anti-flatulent, digestive, carminative, and antioxidant properties.
Chewing down a teaspoon of fennel seeds after meals helps the secretion of digestive enzymes and prevents indigestion. It works as a remedy for preventing intestinal inflammation that causes abdominal pain.
Instead of chewing it, place a teaspoon of fennel seeds in a glass of hot water and drink after 10 minutes.
10. Use a heating pad or a hot bag
Many suffer stomach aches when they stomach exposed to cold weather or because of stomach muscle cramps.
Using a heating pad or placing a hot bag over the stomach will instantly warm up the area and relax the stomach muscles. Ensure the heating pad is at a moderate temperature to avoid hurting your skin.
It is convenient to place the hot bag on the stomach while lying down and keep it pressing for 15 minutes.
Practical Tips For Easing Stomach Pain
Stand up and try to touch your toes without bending the knees a couple of times; this will help to release the gas pressure buildup in the stomach.
Stop all work and movements; try to relax by resting till the pain subsides.
Do not forcefully hold up gas in the stomach; try to release it.
Take deep breaths with deep inhales and exhales to divert your attention from the pain.
Lie on your bed with your legs raised and pillows under your legs; this relieves muscular pressure on the abdominal area.
Eat more fibrous foods to get rid of constipation.
You can relax by listening to music or watching fun TV shows. Relaxing in a way that you enjoy makes you feel less pain.
Avoid rolling over in bed, as it will worsen the stomach cramps by increasing the pressure on the abdominal muscles.
Wrap your stomach with a warm towel or blanket.
Try to drink lemon tea, mint tea, or ginger tea, or eat blueberries or fennel seeds.
Eat probiotic foods.
Have a BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast).
Avoid eating oily, fatty, processed, or spicy foods.
Go to the toilet and try to pass a stool.
Drink one glass of warm water every hour.
Stop taking antibiotics and high-dose pills.
Do not drink or eat anything cold.
Avoid soda and soft drinks, and fruits juices till your stomach is normal
Avoid smoking and alcoholic drinks.
Massage your stomach with coconut oil or olive oil to relax the muscles.
Do meditation or yoga to relieve stress and anxiety.
Eat only fully-cooked meat and fish.
Do not overeat.
Avoid eating raw foods.
Drink rice water to improve digestion.
Do 45 minutes of workouts every day to remain healthy.
Conclusion
You can ease stomach pain with the simple remedies we already saw; however, persistent pain indicates grave maladies requiring urgent medical assistance from healthcare professionals.
Do not continue with home and natural remedies if your abdominal pain does not subside within 24 hours.
You can prevent future stomach aches when your stomach hurts by eating healthy foods and living a healthy lifestyle.
Recommended reading list: