20 Effective Home Remedies For Indigestion

Indigestion is an uncomfortable feeling or pain in the stomach when the food is not digested properly.

What Causes Indigestion?

Indigestion or an upset stomach is a very common problem nowadays. Reasons for indigestion are given below:

• Overeating or eating too quickly
• Eating foods which are difficult to digest such as fatty, greasy and oily foods
• Lack of foods rich in fiber
• Consuming caffeinated drinks, alcohol, chocolates and soft drinks
• Eating spicy food
• Drinking water during meals
• Smoking
• Constipation
• Stress and anxiety
• Gastritis

How to Treat Indigestion at Home?

An upset stomach has many causes. It is a common problem and is not that serious most of the times. Indigestion can be treated at home using natural remedies. Follow these 20 natural remedies for upset stomach and you’ll feel good in no time.

1. Hot Water

Water is not only important for our body to function properly but also be used as a natural cure for indigestion. Studies have shown that drinking hot water can help in breaking down the food faster. Also drinking hot water after meals prevents hardening of the oils in consumed foods as opposed to cold water. Drinking hot water not only improves digestion but also helps ease the symptoms of indigestion.

2. Ginger Tea

What you will need?

• 1 inch of ginger
• One pinch black pepper powder
• 1 pinch turmeric
• ¾ cup of milk
• 2 cups of water

What to Do?

1. Take 2 cups of water in a pot.
2. Add 1 inch of freshly crushed Ginger to it.
3. Let it boil for 5 minutes.
4. Now remove the ginger piece from the pot.
5. Now add this Ginger decoction to milk in the ratio of 1 : 3 that is ¼ cup of ginger water to ¾ cup of milk.
6. To this mixture add a pinch of black pepper powder and turmeric.
7. Stir well and drink it while it’s hot

How Often to Do?

Drink this ginger tea daily for 3 days to treat in digestion.

Note: Do not add too much pepper powder as it will irritate the stomach.

Why This Works?

Ginger is native to India and China and has been used as a medicine since ancient times. Ginger contains more than 400 different compounds. It also has anti-ulcer properties. Ginger is known to improve digestion and relieves gastrointestinal irritation. It can be used as a simple and cost-effective indigestion treatment at home. Black pepper contains piperine which stimulates the production of hydrochloric acid thus improving digestion. Turmeric also helps digestion and prevents gas and bloating. This ginger tea is not only tasty but can also provide natural indigestion relief.

3. Fennel (Saunf) Tea

What You Will Need?

• 2 tsp. fennel seeds
• 1 tsp. carom seeds or ajwain
• 1½ cup water

What to Do?

1. Add 2 tsp. fennel seeds and 1 tsp. of carom seeds to 1½ cup of water
2. Let it boil for 5 minutes
3. Filter using a strainer.
4. Add jaggery according to taste.

How Often to Do?

Drink this fennel tea daily for 4 – 5 days to cure in digestion.

Why this works?

Fennel seeds are great when it comes to improving digestion. The help prevent gas, bloating and cramps. Fennel seeds are also rich in dietary fiber which is also good for digestion. Carom seeds and jaggery also help in improving digestion.

4. Carom Water / Ajwain Water

What you will need?

• ½ tsp. carom seeds
• 1 cup water

What to Do?

1. Dry roast ½ carom seed
2. Add the roasted carom seeds to 1 cup of water
3. Cover and cook for 10 minutes.
4. Filter using a strainer.

How Often to Do?

Drink ajwain water every day for a week for best results.

Why This Works?

Ajwain water is a very good treatment for indigestion. It is used by pregnant women to improve digestion and prevent bloating. It is also used as a natural cure for indigestion in small babies.

5. Baking Soda

What you will need?

• ½ tsp. of baking soda
• 4 ounces of water

What to Do?

1. Add ½ of baking soda to 4 ounces of water.
2. Stir it well.

How Often to Do?

Drink this baking soda remedy twice a day until you feel relieved.

Note: Overusing or using baking soda for a long time has many side effects.

Why This Works?

Baking soda or sodium Bicarbonate is a natural antacid. It is alkaline (basic) in nature and can neutralize stomach acids.

Baking soda can be used for various purposes. Discover them.

6. Jeera Water

What you will need?

• 2 tsp. cumin seeds or jeera
• 1 cup of water

What to Do?

1. Add 2 tsp. of cumin seeds to a cup of water.
2. Let it boil 45 minutes.
3. Filter using a strainer.

How Often to Do?

Drinking jeera water daily for 3 days will treat indigestion.

Why This Works?

Cumin seeds or jeera is well known for improving digestion. It helps stimulate the salivary glands and helps improve digestion. It can also reduce gas and bloating.

7. Aloe Vera Gel

What you will need?

• A fresh aloe vera leaf

What to Do?

1. With the help of spoon or a knife remove the gel from the aloe vera leaf.
2. Put aloe vera gel in a bowl.
3. Mash it well with the spoon.

How Often to Do?

Consume aloe vera gel twice a day for two days for best results.

Note: Aloe vera gel might be unsafe if taken in high doses.

Why This Works?

Because of its soothing nature and anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera is very helpful in treating acid reflux and GERD. It also contains several enzymes which help to break down sugars and a fat which helps improve digestion.

8. Buttermilk

What You Will Need?

• 2 cups curd or plain yoghurt
• 4 cups water
• A pinch of asafoetida
• Salt to taste

What to Do?

1. Add 2 cups of curd or plain yoghurt to a big jar.
2. Add 4 cups of water to the curd
3. Use a hand blender or a whisk and mix it well.
4. Now add a pinch of asafoetida and salt to it and mix it again.

How Often to Do?

Drink this buttermilk twice a day or until you feel relieved.

Why This Works?

Butter milk contains lactic acid which balances the acidity in the stomach. It is also a probiotic which helps in improving digestion. It also reduces the symptoms of acid Reflux acid as it coats the stomach lining.

9. Coconut Water

Coconut water is not only delicious but also very nutritious. It is also very good for digestion. It is a natural detoxifier and helps eliminate toxins from the body. Coconut water is also potassium and helps maintain the pH balance of the body which in turn reduces Acid Reflux.

10. Banana

Bananas make the best snacks and are also one of the best remedies for indigestion and Acid Reflux. Bananas are alkaline in nature and help neutralize stomach acids. Bananas also contain potassium which also reduces pH levels in the body. Bananas are also rich in dietary fibre which is very good for improving digestion.

11. Lemon Juice

What You Will Need?

• 2 tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 glass warm water
• One pinch salt

What to Do?

1. 2 tbsp. of lemon juice do a glass of warm water.
2. Add a pinch of salt to the glass and stir well.

How Often to Do?

Drink this lemon juice twice a day for best results.

Why This Works?

Even though lemons are acidic in nature, when combined with water it becomes more alkaline and neutralizes the stomach acid by balancing the pH levels. Drinking diluted lemon juice can help reduce acid reflux.

12. Mint Juice

What you will need?

• ½ cup mint leaves
• 2 cups water

What to Do?

1. Add ½ a cup of mint leaves two cups of water.
2. Cook on low to medium flame for 5 minutes
3. Strain the leaves using a strainer.

How Often to Do?

Drink this mint juice whenever your stomach feels upset.

Why This Works?

Mint is one of the best natural remedies for upset stomach. Mint has a very soothing effect and helps treat indigestion as it is rich in antioxidants, phytonutrients and menthol. It also helps people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

13. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can be helpful in reducing acid reflux. It also helps improve digestion as it is rich in pectin which a soluble fiber. Even though it is a common remedy it is useful for people with less stomach acid. Because of its acidic nature Apple cider vinegar increases the pH level of the stomach and helps digesting food.

14. Coriander Seeds (Dhaniya)

What You Will Need?

• 1 tbsp. coriander seeds
• 2 cups water

What to Do?

1. Soak about 1 tbsp. of coriander seeds in 2 cups of water.
2. Let it soak for at least 8 hours.
3. Filter using a strainer.

How Often to Do?

Drink coriander water daily for a week for best results.

Why This Works?

Coriander is believed to improve appetite and improve digestion. It is also rich in dietary fiber which is known to improve digestion. Coriander is also known to help patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

15. Amla

What will you need?

• 2-3 amla (gooseberries)
• A pinch of salt

What to Do?

1. Crush 2-3 amla with the help of a crusher.
2. Add a pinch of salt to the crushed Amla pieces.
3. Keep it in an airtight container.

How Often to Do?

Eat this everyday on an empty stomach or at least 10-15 minutes before meal.

Why This Works?

Amla is alkaline in nature so it helps neutralizes stomach acids and lowers the pH level of the body. It also helps reduce acid reflux. Eating Amla everyday helps improve digestion prevents ulcers and acidity.

16. Jaggery

What you will need?

• ½ tbsp. jaggery
• ½ tsp. carom seeds or ajwain

What to Do?

1. Add ½ tsp. of carom seeds to ½ tbsp. of jaggery.
2. Mix well.

How Often to Do?

Eat this twice a day when you have an upset stomach.

Why This Works?

Jaggery helps improve digestion by activating digestive enzymes in our body. It also helps reduce bloating and constipation.

17. Oatmeal

What you will need?

• 2 cups of oatmeal or oats
• 1 cup milk

What to Do?

1. Add 2 cups of oatmeal to a bowl.
2. Add a cup of milk (you can also use hot milk) to the oatmeal.
3. Mix well.

Why This Works?

Oatmeal is very rich in dietary fiber. It is very good for treating indigestion. It also absorbs the acidity in the stomach and therefore helps reduce acid reflux. It also reduces constipation.

18. Honey

What You Will Need?

• 1 tsp. honey
• 1 glass of warm water

What to Do?

1. Add a tsp. of honey to a glass of warm water.
2. Mix well.

How Often to Do?

Drinking a tsp. of honey with warm water every day will improve digestion.

Why This Works?

Honey is also a common remedy for indigestion. Consuming honey every day is known to reduce acidity, improve digestion and relieve you from indigestion symptoms.

19. Asafoetida (hing)

What You Will Need?

• ¼ tsp. hing
• 2 tbsp. water

What to Do?

1. Dissolve ¼ tsp. hing in 2 tbsp. of water.
2. Mix well.

How Often to Do?

Drink this whenever indigestion occurs.

Why This Works?

Asafoetida or hing is known have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps improve digestion and prevents constipation. It also helps cure a lot of stomach problems.

20. Pomegranate Juice

What Will You Need?

• 2 cup pomegranate seeds
• 1 cup water
• A pinch of pepper powder.
• A pinch of salt

What to Do?

1. Add 2 cups of pomegranate seeds to a blender.
2. Add 1 cup of water to it.
3. Blend them together.
4. Pour the juice into a jug.
5. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to the juice.

Note: Pomegranate juice may not be very ideal to drink when you are having a cold.

Why They Work?

Pomegranates are great for improving digestion. They stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes. Pomegranates are also known to increase appetite. They also reduce inflammation in the gut. Pomegranates are also rich in dietary fiber which can important for digestion.

Also read:

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