Simple Home Remedies For Indigestion

Introduction:

Indigestion (dyspepsia) is slight discomfort in the upper abdomen or belly. It frequently happens during or immediately after eating.¹ Indigestion, sometimes known as a sour stomach, can occur occasionally or frequently. It may produce pain or a burning sensation in the abdomen.² 

The efficiency of your digestion is determined by the power of your digestive fire (Agni). Suppose your food intake is large and heavy, very liquid, or quite dense in quality. This is opposite to digestive fire properties and can inhibit the normal function of the digestive fire, resulting in indigestion.³

What Causes Indigestion?

The most common causes of indigestion include: 

• Eating excessively or quickly 
• Eating spicy or acidic foods 
• Drinking too many caffeinated beverages 
• Drinking too much alcohol 
• Experiencing anxiety or stress 
• Taking certain medications such as aspirin (particularly if consumed on an empty stomach)² 
• Smoking or chewing tobacco 
• Eating high fibre foods¹  

Other causes of indigestion are: 

• Ulcers (intestinal or stomach ulcers) 
• Gallstones (hardened deposits of bile in the gall bladder) 
• Gastritis (inflammation of stomach mucosa) 
• Pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas)¹ 

Functional dyspepsia is relapsing and remitting. Population studies have shown that 15% to 20% of patients have persistent symptoms during extended follow-up, while 50% have complete resolution of symptoms. Dietary hygiene remains the best treatment.

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

Symptoms of Indigestion:

Symptoms of indigestion may include: 

• Abdominal Bloating (belly feels tight and full, often due to gas) 
• Burping and gas 
• Acidic taste in the mouth 
• Nausea and vomiting
• Burning sensation in the stomach 
• Gurgling sound in stomach² 

Also Read: 5 Instant Home Remedies For Gastric Problem

Suggested Home Remedies for Indigestion:

Changing eating habits, such as giving adequate time for meals, avoiding disputes during meals, avoiding exercise immediately after a meal, chewing food properly and completely, relaxing, and getting enough rest if indigestion is caused by stress, can help to reduce indigestion. You may require medications to manage indigestion based on your condition.¹ 

You can follow these home remedies that will help to cure indigestion in a safe and natural way.  

• Before a meal, chewing a chopped or grated ginger with a few drops of lime juice and some salt will help in improving the digestive power.  
• You can consume a mixture of garlic powder, trikatu (contains black pepper, Indian long pepper in equal amounts), and rock salt before meals.    
• Taking a mixture of one fresh garlic clove, cumin powder, rock salt, and trikatu with lime juice before meals will be helpful for enhancing digestion.  
• Drinking bay leaf tea (prepared by crushing bay leaf in a cup of hot water for ten minutes) with a pinch of cardamom after meals will be helpful for improving digestion.  
• Consuming fresh onion juice with honey and black pepper is helpful for the management of indigestion.  
• You can consume chopped cloves of fresh garlic with salt and baking soda.  
• To manage acute indigestion, drinking lime juice in warm water with added baking soda (just before drinking) is helpful.  
• The mixture of trikatu, chitrak, kutki with honey and fresh ginger juice is helpful for dealing with long-term poor digestion.³    
• Ginger has been shown to aid in the prevention of drug-induced gastric ulcers. Ginger has been shown to have antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties, which may have contributed to the observed gastroprotective effects.⁴  
• Taking thin buttermilk mixed with pepper powder and cumin powder is a very simple remedy for indigestion.  
• The use of aniseeds can also help with indigestion. You can mix aniseeds in boiling water and leave them overnight. This clear fluid can then be poured and consumed with honey.  
• Fruit consumption, in general, is beneficial for indigestion relief. Lemon is the best fruit for indigestion. Grapes can also help to improve digestion. Grapes are a light food that relieves indigestion quickly.  
• Indigestion can be relieved by combining pomegranate with honey. When mixed with a little rock salt and black pepper powder, the seeds of this fruit act as a stomach tonic.  
• Chewing carrot increases saliva production and speeds up digestion by supplying more enzymes, vitamins, and minerals.  
• Fenugreek seeds can also help with digestion.  
• Mint juice is a good appetiser. Mint juice combined with lemon and honey is a particularly efficient indigestion cure.⁵  

Also Read: Home Remedies For Gas

Dietary Considerations

Those who suffer from indigestion should adhere to specified food guidelines. These include not eating and drinking simultaneously, never rushing through a meal, never eating on an empty stomach, never sitting down to a meal when anxious, tired, excited, or in a bad mood, and not eating if your appetite is lacking.⁴ 

When to Seek Medical Help?

It is common to have stomach pain now and then. However, frequent stomach issues can prevent you from eating, sleeping, or working well. If indigestion is impacting your quality of life, it’s time to contact a doctor. Several professionals can assist you. Consult a doctor and a dietician for the treatment. You should consult a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms.² 

• Frequent or bloody vomiting 
• Chest pain 
• Black stools 
• Difficulty breathing 
• Jaundice (yellowing of your eyes or skin) 
• Severe pain in the belly 
• Unexplained weight loss² 

A doctor will review your medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle. They will conduct a physical examination to examine your abdomen for swelling or pain with a stethoscope.² 

Conclusion:

Indigestion (dyspepsia) refers to a slight stomach discomfort that occurs in the upper abdomen or belly. It often occurs at the time of eating or immediately after eating. It may cause abdominal pain or a burning sensation.² It may be caused due to eating too much or too fast, eating spicy or acidic foods, high-fibre foods, drinking too many caffeinated beverages, alcohol, experiencing stress or anxiety, taking certain medications such as aspirin on an empty stomach, smoking or chewing tobacco.^1,2 Simple home remedies that may help with indigestion include consuming mint juice with honey, drinking bay leaf tea with a pinch of cardamom, taking thin buttermilk mixed with pepper powder and cumin powder, etc.³ If you have frequent or bloody vomiting, chest pain, black stools, difficulty in breathing, jaundice, unexplained weight loss, and severe belly pain, you should see a doctor for proper treatment.²  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References:

1. Medlineplus. Indigestion [Internet]. Last updated on: 2021 Mar 21. Available from: Indigestion: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia  
2. Clinic C. Indigestion [Internet]. Last updated on: 2021 Oct 02. Available from: Indigestion (Dyspepsia): Causes & Treatment (clevelandclinic.org), Bloated Stomach: Causes, Tips to Reduce & When to be Concerned (clevelandclinic.org)  
3. Lad V. The Complete Book of Ayuvedic Home Remedies. Three Rivers Press, New Work, 1999; Pg No. 211-212. The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies (archive.org)  
4. Bakhru HK. Natural home remedies for common ailments. Orient Paperbacks; 1996.Pg No.90-92. Available from:   https://books.google.co.in/books

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