When your stomach feels full and tight, and this is a result of the buildup of gas in the small intestine, then you have to bloat. When this is a situation you have, then the stomach area is swollen. People who have bloating also can have other symptoms such as lower back pain, cramps, shortness of breath, pain, belching, and diarrhea. There are many factors that can lead to bloating.
The most common reason for this condition is the buildup of intestinal gas. Also, there are many other causes for bloating, such as menopause, constipation, PMS (premenstrual syndrome), overeating, anxiety, water retention, peptic ulcers, trapped air, irritable bowel syndrome – IBS, indigestion, smoking, and anorexia.
One of the best ways to rid of this condition is to encourage bowel movement and passing gas. But if you have tried these steps and cannot get rid of the bloating, then you should use home remedies to help you improve your condition.
11 Natural cures for bloating
Contents
Fennel seeds
These are one of the best home remedies for bloating because they have many properties such as anti–microbial, diuretic, pain-reducing, and carminative. They are very effective home remedies because they relax the muscle spasms in the digestive tract.
You should chew a few fennel seeds if you have eaten a big meal. You should add one teaspoon of fennel seeds to one cup of hot water. Then, you should cover this mixture. You should allow this mixture to steep for five to ten minutes. Then, you should strain it. You should drink this tea 2 – 3 times per day. [1]
Peppermint
This herb has menthol oil. It is helping of the digestive tract because it possesses antispasmodic effects. This process will help you to relieve the spasms in the gallbladder, gastrointestinal tract, and bile duct.
Also, this remedy will help the food to pass through your stomach in a very short time, and also flatulence will be calmed down. If you have to bloat, you should chew some fresh peppermint leaves, which will help you reduce the symptoms of bloating.
Also, there is another option that you can make. In hot water, you should steep a peppermint tea bag. You should let this mixture steep for ten minutes. After your tea is ready, you should drink it 2 -3 times per day. [2]
Ginger root
If you are suffering from bloating and gas, then ginger is one of the best remedies for your condition. Shogaols and gingerols are components of ginger which are helping you to reduce inflammation in the intestines.
Also, these components help to relax the intestinal muscles. In one cup, you should put 6 thin slices of ginger. Then, you should put boiling water in the cup. You should cover this mixture. Then, you should steep this mixture for ten minutes. You should add lemon juice and honey to this mixture. You should drink this mixture three times per day.
Also, there is another option that you can use. Before you eat your meals, you should eat one teaspoon of fresh ginger. You can also add ginger to your food. You should grate the ginger and then add it to your meals. If you are an adult and you are suffering from bloating, then you can take 0.25 to 1 g of powdered ginger root every day. [3]
Probiotics
They help you to reduce the excess gas, and also they aid digestion [4]. They are live microorganisms. Most of them are good bacteria, and they are also similar to the bacteria which are found in the human gut. Yogurt, kimchi, miso, kefir, tempeh, pickles, buttermilk, and sauerkraut are probiotics that can help you against bloating.
Chamomile tea
This is one of the most effective home remedies for bloating. When you are suffering from bloating, then you are feeling heartburn which can be reduced by this tea.
Also, this tea will help you to soothe your stomach. This is possible because chamomile tea has antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties, which will help you fight against bloating. You should put one cup of water to boil. Then, you should put one chamomile tea bag in the water. You should cover this mixture. Then, you should steep this mixture for ten minutes. You should squeeze the tea bag, and then you should add honey or lemon juice to this tea. You should drink this tea 2 or 3 per day between your meals.
Caraway seeds
These kinds of seeds have carminative, anti-microbial, and antispasmodic effects [5]. Also, these seeds have chemicals such as carvene and carvol, which help you to get relief from the bloating.
This is possible because the previous two mentioned chemicals soothe the smooth muscle tissues of your digestive tract and promote the expulsion of the gas. When people suffer from bloating, they should chew a pinch of these seeds several times per day.
If you are suffering from bloating and you do not want to eat caraway seeds, then you should try with caraway crackers. Also, you can brew crushed caraway seeds which will help you to make tea.
Pumpkin
If you are suffering from bloating or unwanted flatulence, then you should eat pumpkins. fiber, potassium, and Vitamin A, which are components of the pumpkins, will help your digestion.
You need just one cup of pumpkins per day because it will help you to reduce the gas and also it will create a smooth digestive flow. You can add pumpkins as an ingredient in your recipes. Also, you can broil, steam, or bake it.
Anise
When you are using anise as your home remedy, then you are helping yourself to relax the digestive tract because this herb has antispasmodic properties.
When using anise, you are expelling the gas buildup in the digestive tract and reducing the bloating because this herb has carminative properties.
When you are drinking anise tea, then you have the biggest chance of reducing bloating and its symptoms. Before you start using this remedy, you should consult with your doctor because some studies in the USA have said that pregnant women should not use anise tea as their natural remedy for bloating.
Also, if you are having an infant and giving him or her anise tea, then this can cause some side effects in those infants, such as rapid eye movement, vomiting, seizures, and restlessness. [6]
Activated charcoal
Using this remedy can make the water and air pass through your body because this remedy has porous properties and holes. The excess gas is trapped by these spaces when they are caused by stomach bacteria.
You can find this remedy in some forms, such as powder form, tablet, and capsule form. You should ask your doctor which will be the recommended dose for you.
Bananas
When you have bloating and gas associated with constipation, you should use bananas as your home remedy because they are rich in fiber [7].
Also, when you are using bananas as your home remedy, you are giving relief from the bloating.
Also, the fluid level in your body is regulated by this fruit. This is possible because it has potassium. You should eat bananas regularly because they will help you in your fight against bloating.
The best way to consume bananas is to eat them in raw form as a snack. Also, you can add them to baked desserts or salads.
Warm lemon water
When you are drinking warm lemon water, then you are reducing all the free radicals which are a reason for serious diseases. Also, this kind of water helps you to have a hydrated body.
This fruit is rich in proteins, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, carbohydrates, magnesium, calcium, riboflavin, and phosphorous, which means that those elements help your digestion.
Also, when you are using lemons as your natural treatment, you are helping the food to break down because this fruit has acidic properties, which means that when they are consumed in the body, they stimulate the production of hydrochloric acid.
You should know that when lemon and water are mixed together, then you have one of the best home remedies for your digestive system. When you are consuming warm lemon water, then you are helping yourself to rid of constipation, gas, and bloating.
References
[1] Turrill K. Bloating: The one drink that could help reduce a bloated belly and relieve flatulence. 2019. Retrieved from www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1104850/stomach-bloating-reduce-drink-fennel-seeds-tea
[2] Alammar N, Wang L, Saberi B, et al. The impact of peppermint oil on the irritable bowel syndrome: a meta-analysis of the pooled clinical data. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2019;19:21.
[3] Bodagh MN, Maleki I, Hekmatdoost A. Ginger in gastrointestinal disorders: A systematic review of clinical trials. Food Science & Nutrition. 2019;7(1):96-108.
[4] Cell Press. Human gut study questions probiotic health benefits. Science Daily. 2018. Retrieved from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180906141640.htm
[5] Mahboubi M. Caraway as important medicinal plants in management of diseases. Natural Products and Bioprospecting. 2019;9(1):1-11.
[6] Ghoshegir SA, Mazaheri M, Ghannadi A, et al. Pimpinella anisum in the treatment of functional dyspepsia: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial. Journal of Research in Medical Sciences. 2015;20(1):13-21.
[7] Wang J, Huang JH, Cheng YF, Yang GM. Banana resistant starch and its effects on constipation model mice. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2014;17(8):902-907.