It is hard for a true foodie to say ‘no’ when offered a mouthwatering dish, even in the middle of the night. And what if you are on a stringent diet? Well, you can still not help but cheat now and then! Nobody can hold herself back from relishing irresistibly tasty food, whatever the fitness goal may be. Result? Indigestion! We often end up suffering from it by indulging in delicious cuisines and start popping pills. But many home remedies can treat indigestion successfully and provide quick relief during such times. We tell you some of the best home remedies for indigestion here.
What Is Indigestion?
Did you eat so much over the weekend dinner that sleeping has become almost impossible? Is this the hundredth time you tell yourself that you will never overeat again? You might as well cancel this statement, too, as the sight of tasty and yummy food makes us forget all our resolutions, and we all end up overeating. But that is precisely why the irritation from indigestion troubles your stomach even before you know it. (1)
Indigestion or ‘dyspepsia’ is a specific medical condition that makes digesting food difficult. It causes extreme discomfort and mild to severe pain in the stomach. However, indigestion is not considered a disease. Instead, it is more of a cumulative indication of specific other gastrointestinal issues, such as ulcers, gastritis, or acid reflux. You can experience indigestion occasionally. But if left untreated, it can become chronic too.
We often reach for OTC antacids to treat indigestion and calm down our stomach. But this is not a good practice as it can harm your digestive system in the long run and give you fatal diseases.
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Factors Causing Indigestion
You do not think much about what happens inside your body and how your metabolism works on normal days. So, you continue overfeeding your body and eating junk. Do you start thinking about all the food you eat only when your digestive system starts giving you trouble? However, there are more than one factors that trigger indigestion. These include: (2)
- Overeating
- Eating too fast
- Bad eating habits (having too spicy or greasy food)
- Chronic digestive problems
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Lying down right after eating
- Interference with certain drugs (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.)
- Specific medical conditions (gastric cancer, peptic ulcer, GERD, etc.)
Common Symptoms Of Indigestion
Indigestion often comes with several symptoms: bloating, belching, uncomfortable abdominal fullness, stomach pain, heartburn, nausea, vomiting (sometimes blood is released), difficulty in swallowing, burning, and gnawing sensations in the upper stomach, black stool, and weight loss. Some of these are very common, while a few people might only experience others. (3)
Most Effective Home Remedies For Indigestion
If you have overeaten and are suffering from indigestion, all you need are some superfoods to produce more digestive juices in your stomach and speed up your digestion. Following are the natural home remedies that can help you control the symptoms of indigestion. (4)
1. Ginger
Ginger is the best natural remedy for indigestion you can ever try. Just make a cup of ginger tea, and you will be all good. Shred an inch of ginger root and boil it with some water. Filter this concoction and sweeten it with some honey. Add a dash of lemon juice to it if you wish. Then, drink it up to release digestive juices in your stomach and ease your digestion process.
2. Carom Seeds
Carom seeds or ajwain are known to provide us with instant relief from indigestion issues. You can chew on a pinch of carom seeds right after a heavy meal to stimulate the release of your digestive juices. Otherwise, boil a teaspoonful of carom seeds in a cup of water to make ajwain water and drink it whenever you feel uncomfortable.
3. Fennel Seeds
Fennel seeds are known as a highly effective natural laxative agent. It helps control the symptoms of indigestion, including heartburn, gas, and flatulence. Hence, chew on a spoonful of fennel seeds every time you end up overeating to avoid indigestion. You can also prepare a digestive tea by brewing a teaspoon of fennel seeds in a cup of water.
4. Orange
The fresh burst of citrus fragrance can help you eliminate any nauseating feeling caused by indigestion. Hence, consider orange as another excellent home remedy for it. It stimulates the digestive system by cleaning the gastrointestinal tract to digest your food thoroughly. Orange also helps produce healthy bacteria in the intestine, which helps in speeding up digestion. All you need to do is peel and eat an orange directly.
5. Chamomile Tea
Being a natural relaxant, Chamomile can ease the movement of food across your digestive system. Hence, sipping on some chamomile tea after a heavy meal will help you soothe your gastrointestinal tract. Boil some water and dip a chamomile tea bag into it. Reuse the bag a couple of times throughout the day. By then, your stomach problems will be gone!
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How To Maintain A Good Rate Of Metabolism?
When it comes to keeping up a good metabolism, the golden rule is to stop eating when you are 3/4th full. But we can help you with some more metabolism tips. Check them out:
- Try to control your portion sizes.
- Eat slowly and chew your food well.
- Include fibers in every single meal.
- Stay away from spicy and greasy items.
- Drink lots of water.
- Eat more salads to enjoy a big meal.
- Go for a light dinner.
- Keep a 2-hour gap between dinner and bedtime.
- Have small meals at regular intervals.
- Exercise regularly.
- Keep your stress under control.
- Quit the habits of smoking and drinking.
- Do not take random medications.
If all your resolve fails, you, anyway, have your home remedies for indigestion to turn to. Happy eating!
References:
- “Indigestion” – mayoclinic.org
- “Symptoms & Causes of Indigestion What are the symptoms of indigestion?” – niddk.nih.gov
- “Indigestion (Dyspepsia, Upset Stomach Pain)” – medicinenet.com
- “Home and natural remedies for upset stomach” – medicalnewstoday.com
