Spices, Yogurt and More To Help Treat an Upset Stomach

Many of the home remedies for calming an upset stomach are easy to make and can be made from ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. These home remedies are safe, natural, and effective. There's no need to suffer through an upset stomach or go through bottles of chemical antacids- try these home remedies for calming an upset stomach and see if they work for you.

1. Peppermint Tea

Drinking Peppermint Tea is an easy and effective home remedy for calming an upset stomach. Peppermint Tea is easy to find in your local grocery store, and is produced by popular tea brands such as Celestial Seasonings, Lipton and Yogi Tea. If your nausea is bad enough that it is hard to hold anything down, Peppermint Tea or Peppermint essential oil can be used as aromatherapy for calming an upset stomach. Simply smelling the peppermint may be enough to relieve nausea.

2. Honey/Cardamom/Yogurt

A mixture of honey, cardamom and yogurt may also help relieve nausea. Honey is used in many home remedies for calming an upset stomach because it is said to "coat" the stomach. The spice Cardamom is microbial and can fight infections that may be causing stomach upset. Yogurt contains probiotics that can help return the natural bacterial flora of the stomach and intestines to normal healthy levels. The cooling properties of the yogurt may also calm your stomach and reduce acidity. The combination of these three ingredients creates a home remedy that treats both the symptoms and the cause of an upset stomach. For this home remedy, take half a cup of plain yogurt, and stir in two pinches of cardamom and half a teaspoon of honey.

3. Cumin/Nutmeg/Hot Water

Another easy home remedy for calming an upset stomach is a tea made from cumin seeds, nutmeg and hot water. Hot water helps to detoxify the body and improve digestion, so hot teas are an especially good home remedy if your upset stomach is caused by indigestion. Cumin is a favorite spice in traditional Ayurvedic home remedies, and Nutmeg is used in Chinese medicine to treat abdominal discomforts such as nausea. To make this home remedy, add a pinch of nutmeg and one teaspoon of cumin seeds to hot water, and allow to steep for a couple of minutes before drinking.

4. Homemade Ginger Ale

A more complicated, but very effective, home remedy for calming an upset stomach is Homemade Ginger Ale. Commercial Ginger Ales such as Canada Dry and Schweppes do not contain any real ginger, and the soda can increase stomach acidity, actually worsening your upset stomach. Many people swear by Ginger Ale or 7-Up for an upset stomach, so there may be a placebo effect that allows these home remedies to work. But for a truly effective home remedy, try making your own Ginger Ale with real ginger and lime juice. Ginger is one of the most commonly recommended natural remedies for stomach discomforts, and can help reduce nausea caused by illness, motion sickness, indigestion or pregnancy. Click here for a great homemade Ginger Ale recipe.

5. Deep Breathing

Sometimes the best way to calm an upset stomach is to simply take a deep breath. Our breath is directly connected to our nervous system, and when we are stressed, our breath tends to be shallow and fast. By consciously deepening our breathing, we send a message to our nervous system that it's okay to relax. This, in turn, affects many other parts of our body, including digestion. So, as a home remedy for calming an upset stomach, try sitting quietly for a few moments and taking slow, deep, calm breaths. If your stomach normally gets upset right after eating, try slowing down your eating and taking a conscious breath between each bite. Lying on your left side as you breathe for a few minutes after eating is also an effective home remedy for calming an upset stomach.

Did these home remedies for calming an upset stomach work for you? Know of a better home remedy? Please leave a comment with your experience!

Sources:
Cardamom: the genus Eletta; Properties and End Uses of Cardamom; By P. N. Ravindran, K. J. Madhusoodanan; 2002

The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies; Vasant Lad; 1998

Natural Home Remedies; Home and Herbal Remedies to Aid an Upset Stomach; 2009

University of Maryland Medical Center; Complimentary Medicine: Ginger