Top Home Remedies List for Stomach Cramps, Heartburn, Diarrhea and Other Stomach Problems

Before treating an upset stomach, it is best to determine possible reason/s that may have caused it. You may not be a doctor, but trying to find some simple homemade remedies would mean that it's not a serious case requiring you to readily go to the hospital's emergency room.

Usually, an upset stomach is caused by improper food habits like quitting breakfast, eating spicy or fast food while rushing to work and overeating and eating food or drinking refreshments with milk or dairy products (for people who are lactose intolerant). Others are caused by flu, food poisoning, drunkenness, motion sickness, lack of sleep, lack of exercise and stress. Such cases may result to indigestion, stomach gas, heartburn, acid reflux, nausea, constipation or diarrhea.

When suffering from any stomachache problem, it's always best to take some rest and relieve youself from stress.

This list provides the most basic things you can find in your home. Yet, you might not realize that they can actually help you in such needy times. Here are some basic homemade remedies to calm an upset stomach that you may list down on your handy emergency kit:

Over-the-counter Medication
If you usually eat little amount of food, then suddenly take advantage of an awesome buffet, it is possible that you'll suffer from stomach pains due to indigestion. You should take an antacid to neutralize the imbalance of acids in your stomach. Doctors also prescribe specific antacids, possibly along with other medications, to those who have ulcer or serious cases of hyperacidity. If you frequently suffer from heartburn and acid reflux, you should always have your medications ready. There are also certain over-the-counter medications known as H2 blockers that prevent heartburn if taken before or during meals.

Like any other drug (even if it's over the counter), don't overuse antacids as they may cause serious side effects like constipation or diarrhea.

If you're suffering from constipation or diarrhea, make sure you rehydrate yourself by drinking lots of water. You may also put rehydration salts in your drinking water.

Cumin
Drink ready-made cumin tea or add cumin seeds into boiling water for a hot cumin tea. This helps relieve gas that accumulated in the stomach. Cumin tea is also given to pregnant women who get false labor pain which is usually caused by stomach gas.

If you're suffering from a heavy stomach, another solution is to put one fourth teaspoon of powdered cumin and one fourth teaspoon black pepper powder in one glass of buttermilk. Drink this two or three times a day for two to three days.

Ginger
Drink ginger tea (either instant ginger tea or put finely chopped ginger and tea leaves into boiling water). You may also prefer to chew on a piece of candied ginger instead.

Ginger stimulates digestion and has a wholesome effect on the circulatory system. It relieves the severity of nausea including those who have stomach problems due to pregnancy. It is also known for its warming action on the upper respiratory tract and it is used to treat colds and flu. Moreover, drinking ginger tea helps relieve menstrual cramps. Ginger's anti-inflammatory properties can lessen the pain of rheumatoid arthritis. And its cineole content may help contribute to stress relief as well.

Peppermint/Mint/Chamomile
Drinking peppermint, mint or chamomile tea soothes the stomach muscles which help relieve stomachache. Any of them are ideal to drink when you have overeaten or you have flu. You may mix it with honey for better taste (whether drinking instant tea or making tea by putting the leaves in hot water).

Baking Soda
Put half a teaspoon of baking soda to half a glass of water. Mix them well and drink the solution to relieve stomach problems like hyperacidity, indigestion and heartburn. If the problem persists, take another half a glass mix after two hours.

Banana
Eating banana eases diarrhea. And it offsets the acids that cause an upset stomach.

Amla Powder
If you're suffering from diarrhea, take 5 to 10 grams of amla powder and combine it with a glass of buttermilk. Drink the solution to help ease the problem.

Things to Avoid
Avoid drinking alcohol, taking aspirin and ibuprofen and smoking cigarettes as they can exacerbate nausea. Avoid drinking coffee or milk and eating food with chocolate, onions, milk, cauliflower and baked beans as they aggravate stomachache. Avoid eating fried and oily foods as well.

"Relief for Abdominal Bloating." HealthandYoga.com.
"How to Calm an Upset Stomach." eHow.com.