Natural remedies for an upset stomach

Having an upset stomach that need a trip to the doctor? Here are some natural remedies to try that are readily available in your kitchen.

Water

Adequate hydration is key to efficient digestion. Drinking water aids the body to digest and absorb nutrients from the food we eat.

According to the Health and Medicine Division, women should have about 2.7 litres of water a day while men should drink about 3.7 litres of water daily.

Generally, people should drink about 8 or more cups of water each day.

Twenty percent of the water we take in comes from the food we eat and from beverages for the rest.

If you are having digestive issues, get sufficiently hydrated. Disorders like vomiting and diarrhoea can cause you dehydration rapidly so it is essential to increase your oral fluid intake, so drink a lot of water.

Lime, baking soda and water

A mixture of lemon juice or lime, baking soda and water is known to aid in relieving gas and indigestion. The acidity in lime or lemon juice as well as its nutrients can help breakdown fats and alcohol while neutralising acids in the digestive system.

It may also enhance intestinal functions and liver secretion.

Cloves

When having an upset stomach, drinking a concoction of one to two teaspoons of ground or powdered cloves with one teaspoon of honey once daily before going to bed can help relieve it.

Cloves are composed of substances that may aid in increasing gastric secretion and alleviating gas in the stomach. It can also relieve slow digestion, reduce cramping and pressure and ease nausea and vomiting.

For nausea and heartburn, prepare the clove like tea by combining the cloves with eight ounces of boiling water and drink slowly at least once or twice per day.

Ginger

Chemicals called gingerols and shogaols found in ginger induce stomach contractions. These components aid in moving foods quickly through the stomach, thus relieving indigestion.

Also, gingerols and shogaols can reduce vomiting, nausea and diarrhoea. If you’re suffering from an upset stomach, try drinking ginger as tea or add it to your food.

BRAT

Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast or what doctors call BRAT diet is recommended for people suffering from diarrhoea. It can also ease throat irritation from the acids in vomit.

Because of its starchy attribute, this type of diet help bind digested foods together to make firmer stools. Consuming BRAT diet reduces loose bowel frequency, thus soothes diarrhoea.

The foods in BRAT diet are bland and so they do not hold components that can irritate the throat, stomach or intestines. Moreover, potassium and magnesium found in all the foods in BRAT diet replace those essential elements lost through diarrhea and vomiting.

Source: Medical Daily/msn

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