Having a bad upset stomach is bad but not knowing the reason is the worst. Was it the pizza you ate last night? Are you getting your period? Determining the right upset stomach remedies can be tiresome when you’re not sure exactly what caused the issue, but the good news is that there are many things you can try. Ultimately, something is bound to work well for you. Although there’s no silver bullet to stop a stomach ache, there are a handful of soothing foods and natural remedies helpful for an upset stomach but first, let’s determine the causes of an upset stomach.

Causes of an upset stomach

In many cases, you can’t pinpoint the exact cause of an upset stomach. Fortunately, most of the common causes for an upset stomach are not serious, and symptoms normally resolve within a few hours.

One of the most common reasons for an upset stomach is food poisoning. Constipation is another common cause of an upset stomach. Constipation is characterized by straining when trying to have a bowel movement, experiencing hard stools and feeling generally bloated and uncomfortable.

Other causes include:

1. Indigestion: which is the pain or discomfort associated with digesting food.

2. Gastritis: which is a gradual wearing away of the stomach lining that can leave you vulnerable to bleeding or ulcers. Gastritis can be either an acute or a chronic condition.

3. Irritable bowel syndrome: A health condition that affects the lower gastrointestinal tract. It often involves constipation and diarrhea and can be caused by stress, anxiety, or depression.

4. Peptic ulcer: which is a lesion in the stomach lining caused by a combination of pepsin and stomach acid. The infection is normally caused by a type of bacteria called H. pylori.

5. Gastroenteritis: which is an inflammation of the stomach lining caused by either bacteria or a viral infection. Vomiting and diarrhea usually accompany gastroenteritis.

6. Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Upset stomach is one of the common symptoms associated with a generalized anxiety disorder.

7. Menstrual cramps: A large percentage of women experience an upset stomach along with their menstrual cramps.

Now that we know the reasons for an upset stomach, we shall try a more holistic approach before reaching for an over-the-counter medication.

You can solve your digestive problems with one of these tried and true natural stomach ache remedies. Yes, you read it right you may even have a stomach ache cure at home in your kitchen, right now, that can help you naturally get rid of stomach pains and reduce nausea.

8 natural remedies for an upset stomach include

1. BRAT DIET

‍Adhering to the BRAT diet is a good strategy to help curb stomach discomfort. The diet relies on four main foods to help soothe stomachs, including:

• Bananas. Bananas are rich with potassium, which can prove helpful if you’re vomiting or experiencing diarrhea and have become dehydrated. They have sugar, but not enough to make you feel nauseous.
• Rice. Rice and similar starchy foods work to coat the lining of the stomach, which ultimately has a soothing effect. It also helps to move digestion along, and does not linger in the stomach long enough to initiate acid reflux.
• Applesauce. Applesauce is useful for soothing an uneasy stomach because it is easily digestible and can help curb diarrhea. If you are constipated, eat the skin of the apple, which contains peeling.
• Toast. Toast is bland and will not linger in your stomach for very long. Make sure to leave off the butter and jam, as those ingredients aren’t bland and will likely cause further discomfort.
  

Although the BRAT diet is an effective way to soothe an upset stomach, there are other foods that can be just as effective. As a rule of thumb: keep it simple.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar 

Stomach acid is vital to the normal functioning of a healthy digestive system. A popular belief that a stomach ache is caused by an overproduction of stomach acid, but sometimes a stomach ache can be caused by a lack of stomach acid. Relief for stomach pain can be achieved by increasing the production of stomach acid in the body. To combat a potential lack of stomach acid, a shot of apple cider vinegar can be taken one to three times daily.

3. Consuming mint tea 

One of my most favorite natural remedies to cure a stomach ache is mint. Both peppermint and spearmint have been used as a holistic stomach ache remedy for centuries. This herb works to soothe discomfort caused by indigestion and gas, too. Mint contains menthol which acts as a natural analgesic, meaning it has the ability to relieve stomach pain naturally. Peppermint and spearmint teas can be especially calming when experiencing a stomach ache. Research has determined that peppermint oil may also have the ability to activate the colon’s anti-pain channel.

4. Ginger root tea: Ginger products are rife with anti-inflammatory properties that can help increase digestive juice. Ginger also contains gingerols, which is an antioxidant that can lower free radicals and reduce pain.

5. Eat Fennel

Fennel, a flowering plant species in the carrot family, supports digestion, and reduces gas, bloating, cramping, and nausea from an upset stomach. Eat it raw, roast it in the oven, steep it in boiling water to make tea, or crunch on fennel seeds.

6. Cumin

‍According to the US Library of Medicines, Cumin seed has active ingredients that help in coping up with the effects of indigestion and excess stomach acids. It decreases gas and reduces intestinal inflammation. A person with an upset stomach could try to mix 1 or 2tbsps of powdered cumin into their meals.

7. Make sure you are Hydrated

Dehydration impairs digestion, making it more difficult and less effective, which can cause stomach cramping and nausea. Hydration is important for overall health. If you experience an upset stomach during or following exercise, or you have an illness that’s causing you to vomit, it’s especially important to drink more water or beverages that contain electrolytes—sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, and phosphate.

8. Try to be physically active

Drinks and foods might help soothe your upset stomach, but if they aren’t effective remedies, exercise may help. Exercise is one of the lesser-known remedies for an upset stomach. It may seem counterintuitive, but getting yourself up and moving might help. Certain yoga poses can help settle your upset stomach.

The next time you have an upset stomach, try these natural remedies to soothe your digestive system, alleviate pain and bring relief to your upset stomach. 

It is important to remember that a healthy diet, anxiety relief techniques and regular exercise are all strategies to help you avoid an upset stomach in the first place. If symptoms of an upset stomach persist for too long, you will have to seek emergency medical attention.

‍