Abdominal pain or Stomach ache is one of the most common problems in the world. Stomach ache can affect anyone whether it is male or female. Pain in the abdomen or stomach ache is a problem, which worries almost every individual and can affect in any phase of life and is characterized by aching of any area present between the groin and chest. Stomach pain ranges from mild to severe. Stomach ache can be caused due to many reasons and can either be chronic or intermittent. Chronic abdominal pain or chronic stomach ache can either be constant or may come and go with time, which usually results from other stomach problems. Intermittent stomach ache occurs occasionally probably due to mild stomach problems like gas, heartburn and indigestion. However, it could also be a side effect of an unsuitable food for the body. Patients suffering with abdominal pain or stomach ache often experience problems such as vomiting, loss of appetite, dysentery with blood, stomach discomfort, urine and chest acidity, burning sensation in the stomach. Safety measures that help in preventing stomach ache include avoidance of sweets, beans, potatoes, yogurt and creams at night time, adopting light and easily digestible diet, avoiding fried and spicy foods, avoidance of performing any kind of physical activity just after meals and taking appropriate rest. Anxiety, fear, mental stress, anger, greed and worry also must be avoided in order to keep the mind relaxed.
19 Safe and Natural Home Remedies for Abdominal Pain or Stomach Ache
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Baking Soda for Abdominal Pain or Stomach Ache
Baking soda is also known as sodium hydrogen carbonate, bicarbonate of soda and sodium bicarbonate. The antacid property present in the baking soda helps in relieving heartburn and stomach ache making it an effective natural home remedy. To prepare natural antacid from the baking soda just add half teaspoon of baking soda to half cup of water. However, baking soda at the same time also contains sodium, therefore individuals who are on low sodium diet or suffering with high blood pressure must be careful while using baking soda.
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Hot Water Bottle Usage to Ease Abdominal Pain or Stomach Ache
Application of hot water bottle to stomach after taking food helps in increasing circulation through the digestive system. This helps the food to pass through faster preventing residue to stay in the digestive system and hence reduce abdominal or stomach issues naturally.
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Oatmeal Can Help get Rid of Abdominal Pain or Stomach Ache
Oatmeal is also very effective home remedy to get rid of abdominal pain or stomach ache. Oatmeal consists of soluble and insoluble fiber that is really helpful in treating constipation. Apart from this oatmeal is also very beneficial in maintaining cholesterol levels, preventing cancer, helps in weight loss, and maintaining blood sugar levels. Oatmeal is also a type of bland food, which goes easy on an upset stomach.
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Crackers for Abdominal Pain or Stomach Ache
Crackers also contribute in managing stomach ache by helping in digestion by neutralizing the acidity of stomach with their bland quality. Consuming wheat crackers like saltines along with a cup of tea not only help in relieving upset stomach naturally, but also eliminate nausea in minutes.
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Apple
Apples are also very helpful home remedy in treating abdominal pain or stomach ache. Apples are a very good supplement of dietary fiber that not only relieve stomach ache, but also keep the digestive system well maintained. In already suffering, the consumption of apple also prevents abdominal pain from aggravating.
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Banana for Abdominal Pain or Stomach Ache
Banana is also a kind of bland food, which is helpful in preventing stomach ache naturally. It aids bowel movement and gets rid of constipation, which are one of the main causes of abdominal pain. In short, a banana a day keeps the stomach problems away.
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Jarred or Canned Fruits for Abdominal Pain or Stomach Ache
Jarred or canned fruits can also be effective home remedy in addressing stomach problem. Jarred or canned fruits contain the quality that not only brings the antioxidants and vitamins back into the body, but also helps it to recover faster. Consuming jarred or canned fruits like apricots, pears and peaches may also help in relieving stomach cramps as these are easily digestible. At the same time, pineapples must be avoided as this may result in acidity and irritate the stomach.
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Applesauce As An Home Remedy for Abdominal Pain or Stomach Ache
The French name of applesauce is compote de pommes. Including applesauce in diet also helps in relieving upset stomach naturally as this is very mild and light on digestive system. Taking applesauce with a combination of cinnamon can be very effective home remedy. Consuming a small cup of this preparation works wonders in relieving upset stomach and at the same time providing good nutrition.
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Cinnamon
Cinnamon is also very natural and effective spice that helps in keeping the stomach ache away. Cinnamon contains anti-oxidant properties. Cinnamon keeps the digestive system stimulated and helps it to work properly. Cinnamon can be used in many ways such as by sprinkling it on foods, adding it into tea and it can also be taken directly.
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Ginger
Ginger, scientific name zingiber officinale, is one more common spice that helps in treating abdominal pain or stomach ache. Ginger helps in stomach problems by curing motion sickness and gas. Ginger not only improves the digesting capacity of the digestive system, but also helps it to perform effectively allowing the body to take in all the necessary nutrients. Ginger contains an anti-inflammatory property that helps in reducing inflammation in the intestines and stomach making it a useful home remedy for abdominal pain. Ginger being a digestive aid helps pass the food smoothly through the digestive tract. To prepare ginger tea, grate a peeled ginger and add half teaspoon of it to one cup of hot water. Keep for about three minutes then strain out the ginger and consume the tea.
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Mint for Abdominal Pain
Spearmint and peppermint are also very effective in stomach ache and irritable bowel syndrome. Mint allows the food to pass through the intestine faster which not only keeps the digestive system well maintained but also prevents cramping of the stomach. Peppermint oil is also used in several over-the-counter medications like Gas-X and capsules for irritable bowel syndrome. Consuming fresh mint tea is very effective in stomach ache. To prepare fresh mint tea mix few springs of fresh mint to one cup of warm water.
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Chamomile for Treating Abdominal Pain Naturally
Chamomile tea is also a natural and effective home remedy for treating stomach problem such as indigestion, stomach cramps, menstrual pain, and muscle cramps. Chamomile consists of several antimicrobial and antioxidant qualities that help in relieving stomach problems. Consuming chamomile tea helps in easing abdominal pain and cramps leaving the stomach relaxed. However, it should be noted that people allergic to ragweed should not consume chamomile.
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Thyme for Abdominal Pain
Thyme, scientific name thymus vulgaris L, is also very helpful in treating stomach problems naturally. Using thyme not only cures stomach cramps and gas, but also helps to improve the function of the digestive system. Thyme oil contains an antispasmodic and carminative quality that helps in pushing the gas in downward direction. To prepare tea from thyme add one teaspoon of dry thyme leaves to warm water and leave it covered for about 10 minutes then strain the thyme leaves out and consume the tea. This helps in relieving abdominal problems.
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Fennel Seeds for Abdominal Pain or Stomach Ache
Fennel seeds are also a good home remedy for abdominal or stomach cramps and gas. Consuming tea prepared from fennel seeds thrice in a day helps a lot. Fennel contains anethole, aspartic acid. Anethole i.e. volatile oil that helps in stimulating secretion of digestive and gastric juices, decreases inflammation of stomach and intestines whereas aspartic acid works as anti-flatulent and helps in relieving excess gas from the stomach in a natural way. Fennel seeds are also very good laxative agents and consist of fiber that not only cleans the bowels, but also helps in maintaining good peristaltic movements of the intestines. The antibacterial and disinfectant qualities and amino acids like histidine present in fennel seeds also helps improve functionality of the digestive system and at the same time treats diarrhea caused by indigestion.
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Caraway Seeds
Caraway seeds, scientific name carum carvi, are very good supplement of dietary fiber. Consuming caraway seeds in the form of tea or just chewing them out can help in relieving gas and indigestion. Caraway seeds tea can be prepared by mixing one tea spoon of caraway seeds in hot water. Allow it to set for about five to ten minutes then strain out the seeds and consume it on an empty stomach.
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Tea for Abdominal Pain or Stomach Ache
Many types of teas are mild on the digestive system and are also very effective to get rid of upset stomach. Consuming cinnamon, black tea, lemon balm, mint, green tea, lavender and thyme is helpful for abdominal pain. Plant sterols present in teas prepared from ginger, peppermint, and chamomile also help in alleviating achy stomach naturally. To prepare herbal or seed tea, add half to one teaspoon of either herbs or seeds into one cup of hot water and allow it to set for about five to ten minutes and consume.
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Staying Hydrated Can Help Prevent Abdominal Pain
Staying hydrated is also very essential to keep the stomach problems away as dehydration is a major cause for upset stomach. Generally patients suffering from gastroenteritis or stomach virus avoid drinking or eating anything as this makes them difficult to carry anything in their system. At the same time empty stomach leads to over driving of acids present in the stomach. Therefore one should force himself to consume liquids somehow because dehydration results in aggravating the stomach discomfort and increasing vomiting.
Sufficient liquid intake can be done by taking in small quantity at a time. Begin this by taking one tablespoon of liquid every 15 minutes. The moment the patient is comfortable with it, increase the quantity to two spoons and so forth. Although taking liquids may not be enough to satisfy the thirst, but it helps in keeping the body hydrated, eases out the upset stomach and helps in speeding up the recovery period. Consuming an average of six to eight glasses of water helps in maintaining proper function of intestines. This also helps in flushing out virus and toxic particles. Given below are few of the liquids that help in keeping the body hydrated.
- Caffeine-free tea.
- Sports drinks.
- Fruit juices such as apple and cranberry.
- Sparkling water.
- Gelatin.
- Clear broths.
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Carbonated Beverages for Abdominal Pain
Carbonated beverages not only help in getting rid of gas bubbles, but also eliminate stomach ache. Consuming caffeine-free or carbonated beverages, specifically cola, ginger ale and lemon-lime soda leads to burping that helps in driving out the gas from stomach. This works well in case of upset stomach due to overeating.
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Heat Application to Relieve Abdominal Pain Naturally
Heat application is also very effective home remedy to cure stomach ache. Moist heated towels and warm rice compresses can be helpful in stomach ache. Warm rice compresses can be prepared by cooking one cup of rice in a sock for 30 to 60 seconds in a microwave. Put this rice in a large plastic bag then wrap it in a cotton towel or T-shirt. Applying this on stomach helps in relieving stomach ache. Another way of using heat is heating salt in a pot and putting it in a tube sock. Applying this sock on the stomach not only gives soothing affect, but also helps in increasing circulation and improving blood flow to the abdomen. This helps in digestion and reduces painful stomach cramps.
Simple Natural Remedies for Stomach Cramps or Abdominal Pain
- “12 Natural Remedies for Stomach Pain” by Alyssa Jung, Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/natural-remedies-for-stomach-pain
- “10 Home Remedies for Stomach Pain” by Hedy Marks, Medical News Today. Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322527
- “Abdominal Pain” by Mayo Clinic Staff, Mayo Clinic. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/abdominal-pain/basics/definition/sym-20050728
- “Stomach Pain and What it Means” by Krishna Reddy, WebMD. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/abdominal-pain-causes-treatments
Also Read:
- What Can Cause Right Side Abdominal Pain?
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