Stomach
aches, also broadly called “abdominal pain,” are tricky things to find remedies
for unless you know the cause. Ranging from indigestion and irritable bowel
syndrome to gastritis and GERD, an aching tummy can stem from many things.
Assuming
you are dealing with an uncomplicated stomach ache, these remedies can help
bring relief from the pain and discomfort that’s making you miserable.
Remedies for Stomach Aches and Cramps
#1 - Enjoy a Cup of Chamomile Tea
Chamomile
can help ease the pain of a stomach ache by working as an anti-inflammatory
(for example the lining of the stomach can become inflamed as a result common
gastritis, caused by bacteria) and by relaxing the smooth muscle of the upper
digestive track.
When
it relaxes that muscle, the contractions that are pushing food through your
system can ease up a bit and lessen the pain of cramping and spasms.
You will need…
-1
teabag of chamomile tea OR 1-2 teaspoons of dried chamomile
-A mug
-Hot water
-A mug
-Hot water
Directions
Pour
boiling water over a teabag and cover your mug, letting it steep for 10
minutes. If using dried chamomile, place 1-2 teaspoons in a mug and cover with
boiling water. Cover the mug and let steep for 15-20 minutes. Sip slowly.
Remedies for Stomach Aches and Cramps
#2 -
Use a “Hot” Pack
I put
hot in quotations because you don’t truly want it hot - just very warm, but
comfortably so. You can also use a hot water bottle for this as well.
Heat
helps to loosen and relax muscles, so if you find yourself cramping up, some warmth
can go a long ways for relieving you of the dreadful discomfort.
You will need…
-A hot
pack, hot water bottle, or something similar
-A cozy place to lie down
-A cozy place to lie down
Directions
Find a
place to lie down, and rest the hot pack on your belly. It should be a
comfortable temperature, but definitely warm. Do this for at least 15 minutes,
or as long as you need to, reheating as necessary.
Remedies for Stomach Aches and Cramps
#3 - Rice Water
Rice
water is exactly what it sounds like - the water left-over after you cook rice.
It acts a demulcent, meaning a substance that relieves inflammation by forming
a sort of soothing barrier over a membrane, in this case, the lining of your
stomach.
You will need…
-1/2
cup of white rice
-2 cups of water
-A pot
-2 cups of water
-A pot
Directions
Cook
your rice with twice the amount of water you normally would for your chosen
amount. In this case I am using plain old long-grain white rice.
Put
your rice in a pot on the stove and add the water, cooking over medium-low
heat. As the rice starts to become tender, remove it from the heat and let it
soak for 3 minutes with the lid on the pan. Drain and drink the water warm,
adding a smidge of honey if needed. Save the rice for a bland meal later.
Remedies for Stomach Aches and Cramps
#4 - Enjoy Some Mint
Fresh
peppermint tea (or just peppermint tea in general) can help relax stomach
muscles. It also helps improve the flow of bile, which helps you digest
properly. This is especially useful if suffering from indigestion or
gas/bloating.
You will need…
-A
handful of fresh peppermint leaves OR 1-2 teaspoons dried
-Mug
-1 cup water
-Mug
-1 cup water
Directions
Cover
the peppermint with 1 cup of boiling water, cover, and let steep for 5-10
minutes. Sip slowly while it’s still toasty warm. If using the fresh peppermint
leaves, you can chew on them as well to ease stomach pains. You can also just
use a pre-made teabag if you find that more desirable.
Remedies for Stomach Aches and Cramps
#5 - Warm Lemon Water
Lemon
water, if your issue is indigestion, helps a stomachache. The high acidity
level stimulates the production of hydrochloric acid, which breaks down our
food.
By
upping the amount of HCL being produced, you help move digestion along at
healthy pace. You get the added bonus of the hydration too, which keeps the
system flushed and running smoothly.
You will need…
-1
fresh lemon
-warm water
-warm water
Remedies for Stomach Aches and Cramps
#6 - Ginger Root Tea
Ginger
contains naturally occurring chemicals called gingerols and shogaols. These
chemicals can help relax smooth muscle, such as the muscle that lines the
intestinal track, and therefore relieve stomach cramps or a colicky stomach
ache.
Ginger
root is also great for relieving nausea, which may accompany a stomachache.
Sipping on some warm tea can prove very useful as a home remedy for stomach
aches and is, in my opinion, more effective than ginger ale.
You will need…
-1
ginger root, 1-2 inches
-A sharp knife or peeler
-1-2 cups of water
-Honey (optional)
-A sharp knife or peeler
-1-2 cups of water
-Honey (optional)
Directions
Wash,
peel, and then grate or finely chop 1-2 inches of fresh ginger root. Bring 1-2
cups of fresh water to a boil (use less water and more ginger if you want a
more concentrated drink) and add your ginger.
Boil
for 3 minutes and then simmer for 2 more. Remove from heat, strain, and add
honey to taste. Sip slowly and relax.
Remedies for Stomach Aches and Cramps
#7 - Chew Fennel Seeds
Let’s
say your stomach ache is being caused by indigestion. In this case, chewing
fennel seeds will help as they contain anethole, a volatile oil that can
stimulate the secretion of digestive juices to help move things along.
It can
also help tame inflammation, and reduce the pain caused by it. If you are
suffering from gastritis, inflammation of the stomach, this may provide some
relief from the discomfort.
You will need…
-1/2-1
teaspoon of fennel seeds
Directions
After
a meal, chew ½-1 teaspoon of fennel seeds thoroughly. If you are pregnant,
avoid fennel.
Remedies for Stomach Aches and Cramps
#8 - Drink Club Soda and Lime
Like
lemon, lime can help ease an aching tummy. Combine the lime with club soda and
you have an easy drink to sip on to wash away the pain.
If you
overate and have a stomach ache as a result, the carbonation in club soda will
encourage you to burp, therefore relieving pressure in your belly. It has been
shown to help greatly with dyspepsia (basically indigestion) and constipation.
You will need…
-8
ounces of cool club soda
-Fresh lime juice
-Fresh lime juice
Directions
Mix 8
ounces of club soda with the juice of half a lime. Stir and sip slowly.
I
myself have had more than a few unfortunate run-ins with stomach aches, particularly
this past year. Thanks to some generous family genes, I seem quite prone to
them. Second to headaches, I find chronic stomach pain to be one of the most
distracting to deal with day-to-day.
By
keeping a couple of options for stomachache remedies on hand at all time,
I find I can usually be prepared to ward it off should it start to creep up.
By Claire Goodall
(a bee-obsessed natural-convert from Minnesota) who is a holistic health lover.
She is the author of Everyday Roots Book.
It's a Book that
she creates to help you replace the toxic products and medications in your home
with healthier, all-natural alternatives.
It contains 215+
effective home remedies and covers everything you will need to protect your
family and save money every month.