Herbal and Physical Remedies for an Upset Stomach

Stomach pain and nausea are unpleasant to say the least, and when you're suffering from them, all you want is for them to go away. Being in my fourth pregnancy and suffering through morning sickness all nine months with each one, I have tried just about everything to help alleviate nausea. I have found that these home remedies for an upset stomach and nausea are not only simple, but truly help you feel better once again. Keep these items on hand so that you are always able to use these home remedies for stomach pain and morning sickness and get to feeling like yourself again.

Ginger

Ginger has been used for centuries as a natural home remedy for nausea and upset stomach. Now, there's actual medical proof to back it up. According to WebMD, "In a study funded by the National Cancer Institute, chemotherapy patients who took as little as ¼ teaspoon of ginger per day experienced significantly less nausea." Raw ginger root is strong and can be bitter, making nausea worse. Try ingesting ginger by brewing ginger in your tea, drinking ginger ale, nibbling on ginger snaps, or even eating crystallized ginger. 2 capsules of gingerroot can also help your stomach feel better fast. Just make sure that whatever method you try has actual ginger in it and not too much sugar; this will help the remedy work best.

Carbonated Beverages

While many sources will tell you to make your soda flat before drinking it, the opposite is true for me (and many others I know). Carbonated beverages like soda are the only type of liquid I can drink when my stomach is upset. Any other "flat" beverages, including water, make me sicker and many times induce vomiting. When choosing a carbonated beverage, pick one without caffeine, such as ginger ale or lemon-lime sodas. Caffeine actually takes water out of your body, putting you at a higher risk of dehydration. If you're not sure about this remedy, start with fresh, cold soda, and take only a few sips, sitting upright to make sure it digests properly. If you feel that the carbonation is making nausea worse or irritating your stomach, let the beverage go flat and then try a few sips again. When dealing with chronic nausea due to morning sickness or even chemotherapy, try mixing 1 part juice (like cranberry) with 2 parts seltzer water. This gives you the carbonation your body needs to alleviate nausea without the unhealthy effects of soda.

Peppermint Gum

Peppermint is another oil that has been proven to actually relax stomach muscles, therefore alleviating stomach pain and upset. This home remedy is simple and easily accessible. Chewing peppermint gum helps settle your stomach in 2 ways: the peppermint relaxes your stomach and helps any pain to subside, and chewing the gum can also aid in digestion by producing more saliva, helping you build up digestive acids. This is a particularly effective home remedy in treating stomach pain due to indigestion. Sucking on a peppermint candy or sipping on peppermint tea can work, too, but I have found gum to be most helpful in calming my stomach.

Resting On The Right Side

When you lie on your right side, this aids digestion by allowing the digestive track to work more quickly and efficiently. When you are experiencing stomach pain and upset due to indigestion or having eaten something that disagrees with you, this home remedy can be particularly helpful, allowing the offending food to pass more quickly through your system. Simply lie on your right side with your head slightly elevated and take deep breaths, relaxing your body as much as possible. I have found that lying this way on the couch while watching TV or a movie helps me relax and takes my mind off of the nausea. Relaxing your body in this way can also help you rest and feel better sooner. When the stomach pain has passed, sit up slowly and ease back into your routine, sipping fluids to ensure you don't get dehydrated.

Sources:

WebMD
About.com
HysterSisters.com
All4NaturalHealth.com
FitDay.com
Myiwc.com
DailyMail.co.uk