Effective Home Remedies for Burping

Introduction:

Burping is a normal body process. It is the act of expelling air from the stomach through the mouth. Whenever you swallow food or any fluid, you swallow air as well. This air is accumulated in the stomach, and it stretches the muscles. This air escapes from the food pipe through the mouth, and this process is known as burping or belching.¹ Accumulation of gas is another reason that people burp. This gas is produced by breaking down undigested carbohydrates by bacteria in the large intestine.² 

Belching is usually not a sign of any severe health condition.³ It is a minor problem that can be solved by making lifestyle changes and following some home remedies. 

What Causes Burping?

Burping is usually caused due to eating or drinking too quickly, swallowing too much air, smoking, carbonated or caffeinated drinks and nervous habits.³ 

Burping is a normal body process, but abnormal burping may be due to: 

• Accumulation of gas in the digestive tract² 
• The pressure exerted by air that is swallowed unconsciously (aerophagia)¹ 
• The disease of the digestive system, for example, indigestion, chronic constipation or irritable bowel syndrome³ 
• Acid reflux disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)¹ 

An average person may burp around 3-6 times after meals but it depends on the type and quantity of the consumed food. If you experience severe burping with diarrhoea, you should visit a physician to get it checked.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

Symptoms of Burping:

Burping itself can be a symptom of conditions such as acid reflux disease, gas or any other digestive system disease.^1,2 In most cases, burping is normal. People expel the air accumulated in the stomach through the mouth. Depending on the cause, it can occur more often, forcefully, or last longer.¹  

Also Read: Simple Home Remedies For Indigestion

Suggested Home Remedies for Burping:

Burping is a normal consequence of air and gas accumulating in the stomach. However, it is important to deal with its causes to get rid of excessive burping. The remedies mentioned below can help you to take care of digestive issues that might be causing you to burp. 

1. Swallow Less Air

Swallowing less air might help you to ease burping, especially if you burp a lot. You can follow these steps to limit your air swallowing: 

• You should avoid sucking hard candies and chewing gum.  
• Fizzy drinks and drinking with a straw should be avoided. 
• Limit talking when you eat or drink. 
• Eat while sitting down and try to eat slowly.⁴ 

2. Making Diet Changes

Making changes in your dietary habits help to minimize the formation of gas in the stomach. It can also help you to minimize burping. For example, consuming certain carbohydrates can create gas in the stomach because the stomach cannot digest them properly. Therefore, you can avoid such foods to reduce gas production in the stomach. 

A few examples of foods and drinks that can contribute to the production of gas in the stomach are: 

• Vegetables-broccoli, kale and cauliflower 
• Fruits-peaches, pears and apples 
• Drinks-soft drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, and corn syrup 
• Grains-whole grains like whole wheat 
• Dairy products-milk, ice cream, and yoghurt 
• Others-candy, gum, and sweetener-containing products (sweeteners ending with -ol, for example, xylitol, mannitol, sorbitol, erythritol, and maltitol).⁵ 

Natural herbs and remedies for burping are given as follows. 

3. Caraway

Caraway offers many health benefits for the stomach. It improves the digestive system and helps to remove the gas accumulated in the digestive tract.⁶ Caraway is a common herb used in Indian kitchens. There are numerous ways to make use of caraway seeds. To use caraway seeds, you can put them in your foods and dishes. The seeds can also be used as a seasoning in your salads and soups. You can also use caraway seeds as appetizers. 

4. Ajwain

Ajwain is helpful in many gastrointestinal disorders, including gastric reflux. Ajwain is also beneficial in various stomach troubles, and it can also be used to get rid of gas.⁷  

To get the benefits of ajwain, you can chew some ajwain seeds directly. It is a spice used in many Indian dishes. You can also make a decoction using ajwain, ginger, fennel and cumin. Put all these ingredients in water and let the water boil. Cool the decoction and sip on this drink whenever required. 

5. Turmeric

Turmeric provides many health benefits for the stomach. It helps in poor digestion and also helps in people who experience indigestion. Turmeric also helps by getting rid of gas present in the stomach and intestine.⁸  

You can take a teaspoon of turmeric powder and a glass of milk. Turmeric is also added to numerous foods and curries. You can also drink turmeric with warm water. 

Walking after food for 15-20 minutes is very effective to improve burping along with the usage of foods mentioned in blog.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD(Pediatrics)

6. Ginger

Ginger has many health benefits. It can enhance digestion and is very helpful in digestive problems like indigestion and gas.⁹ Ginger is a common kitchen ingredient in every Indian household. There are many ways to incorporate ginger into your diet. For example, you can use fresh ginger or ginger powder to make yourself a ginger tea.  

You can also mix ginger, lemon juice and some honey in a glass of warm water. Another ginger recipe is to grate some fresh ginger and add some lemon juice. You can take this mixture whenever required. 

7. Anise

An important benefit of anise is that it helps in digestion and aids in the removal of the gas from the stomach (carminative properties).¹⁰ You can use anise as a spice and add it to foods and dishes. You can also take anise powder directly to prevent burping. 

8. Fennel

Fennel is a well-known and widely used plant for its digestive benefits. It also helps to eliminate gas from the stomach and manages other digestive disorders.¹¹ There are many ways to use fennel seeds because of their diverse applications. 

You can add fennel seeds to various foods and dishes as a flavouring agent. You can also chew some fennel seeds after dinner. You can make simple fennel tea by crushing some fennel seeds and putting them in hot water. Let the water simmer, and the fennel tea is ready. Drinking fennel tea will help you to get rid of gas and burping.  

Also Read: Home Remedies For Gas

When to Seek Medical Help?

In most cases, burping is a minor issue and not a sign of anything serious. But, if the burping does not stop and you experience other symptoms, such as weight loss, bleeding, or fever, you need to contact your healthcare provider immediately.^1,3 

Conclusion:

Burping is a natural body process of expelling air and gas from the stomach through the mouth. It is quite prevalent in people of all age groups. In most cases, burping does not signify anything serious. There are various remedies for you to help with burping and fighting its causes. These home remedies help by improving digestion and getting rid of gas from the stomach, the leading cause of burping. Seeds and spices such as caraway, ajwain, fennel, turmeric and ginger are readily available and effective remedies for you to use. However, if the burping does not stop and these home remedies do not work out, contact your healthcare provider immediately for advice.  

Also Read: Effective Home Remedies For Hiccups

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

References:

1. MedlinePlus [Internet]. Belching; 2022 Jan 6 [cited 2022 May 16]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003080.htm 
2. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [Internet]. Gas in the Digestive Tract; [cited 2022 May 16]. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gas-digestive-tract 
3. American Family Physician [Internet]. Gas, Bloating, and Belching; 2019 Mar 1 [cited 2022 May 16]. Available from: https://www.aafp.org/afp/2019/0301/p301-s1.html 
4. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [Internet]. Treatment for Gas in the Digestive Tract; [cited 2022 May 16]. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gas-digestive-tract/treatment 
5. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [Internet]. Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Gas in the Digestive Tract; [cited 2022 May 16]. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gas-digestive-tract/eating-diet-nutrition 
6. Mahboubi M. Caraway as Important Medicinal Plants in Management of Diseases. Nat Prod Bioprospect [Internet]. 2019 Jan [cited 2022 May 16];9(1):1-11. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30374904/ 
7. Panda P, Valla S, Lakshmi MU, Harika C, Bhadra P. An Overview of Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi). Indian J Nat Sci [Internet]. 2020 Apr [cited 2022 May 16];10(59):18466-74. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342674831 
8. Bhowmik D, Chiranjib, Kumar KPS, Chandira M, Jayakar B. Turmeric: A Herbal and Traditional Medicine. Arch Appl Sci Res [Internet]. 2009 Nov [cited 2022 May 16];1(2):86-108. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268268687_Turmeric_A_Herbal_and_Traditional_Medicine 
9. Khodaie L, Sadeghpoor O. Ginger from ancient times to the new outlook. Jundishapur J Nat Pharm Prod [Internet]. 2015 Jan [cited 2022 May 16];10(1):e18402. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25866718/ 
10. Sun W, Shahrajabian MH, Cheng Qi. Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.), a dominant spice and traditional medicinal herb for both food and medicinal purposes. http://www.editorialmanager.com/cogentbio [Internet]. 2019 Jan [cited 2022 May 16];5(1):1673688. Available from: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/23312025.2019.1673688 
11. Rather MA, Dar BA, Sofi SN, Bhat BA, Qurishi MA. Foeniculum vulgare: A comprehensive review of its traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and safety. Arab J Chem [Internet]. 2016 Nov [cited 2022 May 16];9 (Suppl 2):S1574-83. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878535212000792 
12. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [Internet]. Symptoms & Causes of Gas in the Digestive Tract; 2021 Jun 1 [cited 2022 May 16]. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gas-digestive-tract/symptoms-causes 

 Also Read: 5 Best Home Remedies For Nausea

Disclaimer:  The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

2

3