6 Natural Substances that Can Ease Your Upset Stomach

An upset stomach, nausea, stomach pain, and the more serious symptoms of GERD are probably the most common ailments known to man. And considering our stress levels and modern day diet, why wouldn't they be. Gastrointestinal drugs are one of the most popular drugs taken by many American today. Unfortunately, all drugs can have unwanted side effects. Before heading to the medicine cabinet, try one of these all natural substances for an upset stomach.

D-Limonene - D Limonene is an extract from citrus sources. I find it interesting that something that is more commonly used in cleaning products can actually be good for you. It is said that D-Limonene will coat the intestine and it helps in moving acid and liquids back into the stomach. It does this because the molecular structure of D-Limonene is such that it is lighter than water, and therefore floats to the surface of gastric juices. When taken every other day over a period of 20 days, D-limonene may also provide a barrier in the stomach and esophagus against bacterial infection. It is well established that stomach cancer is a high risk for those that carry the H. pylori bacteria in their intestines. D-Limonene is high in anti-microbial functions.

Dedeglycyrrhizinated licorice or DGL - Licorice has been used for thousands of years to cure stomach upset, ulcers and GERD. However, standard licorice can be harmful to the health of someone with heart conditions or high blood pressure because it traps sodium in the body. DGL is much safer because it has been processed to remove the harmful glycyrrhizin. It is believed that DGL can soothe the lining of the stomach, therely relieving many stomach issues.

Peppermint - Just the smell of peppermint can calm your nerves. When taken internally, tt can also ease stomach spasms. In fact, it's effective in soothing the whole digestive tract. It reduces pain associated with gas and bloating. Peppermint simply improves the entire digestion process. Peppermint oil also can help reduce any symptoms you have of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Is it any wonder many restaurants hand out peppermint candy after a delicious meal?

Ginger - Whose mom didn't give them a sip of ginger ale as a kid to help ease an upset tummy? According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, Ginger can be beneficial for many upset stomach ailments resulting from pregancy, motion sickness, and chemotherapy. And it has even been proven to aid in inflammation. Ginger can be bought fresh from the grocery store, grated and made into a tea. Or ginger can be found in a health food store in the form of a supplement.

Triphala, which means "three fruits" comes from the fruits of three trees, the amalaki fruit (Embelica officinalis), bibhitaki fruit (Terminalia belerica), and haritaki fruit (Terminalia chebula).

In India, where Ayurvedic (or Indian Medicine), it has been used for thousands of years. It's not extremely popular yet here in the U.S. Triphala is considered a digestive tonic and mild laxative. When Triphala works as a gentle laxative, it aids and improves the assimilation of food. This is great for people with weak digestion. Unfortunately, many stomach ailments are due to the toxic build up that occurs in the intestine due to constipation. Like peppermint, it can improve the function of your entire digestive system.

Activated Charcoal - Activated Charcoal is most commonly used by Medical Professionals for poison control. Sometimes a stomach upset is due to ingesting poison in the form of medication or other substances. It can also be in the form of bacteria in food or water. Activated Charcoal works by absorbing contaminates before they are absorbed by the stomach. It is estimated that AC can absorb up to 60% of contaminates in the GI tract. Activated Charcoal can also help with excessive, foul smelling gas produced by the intestines. And this is a real plus. It should be noted that Activated Charcoal adbsorbs all sort of other elements found in medications, nutrients and supplements. So use care and caution when using AC.

Whether it's nerves, too much too eat, food poisoning, a little motion sickness or something more serious, we all will suffer from stomach upset from time to time. The choice is yours, but why not try natural substances that have been used for thousands of years to aid in the digestion process and soothing those irritated esophagus and stomach linings. Look no further than your favorite health food store to find these essential substances proven effective in relieving stomach upset and more.

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