Few adults like to bring up the topic even among friends, but they would probably readily agree: bloating and gas can be uncomfortable at best and downright painful at worst.
You might already know that sipping water can quell the first signs of indigestion, which flares up in most people after they eat fatty or spicy foods or over-indulge. Water can help dilute stomach acid and block the ensuing bloating and gas that often accompany indigestion.
But if it’s too late – if the bloating and gas have reached a painful proportion – you can find relief in several home remedies that might be no further than your kitchen pantry. Consider:
- Apple cider vinegar, which rises to the challenge of settling indigestion because of its antibiotic properties. Mix 1 tablespoon with 1 cup of water, and sweeten it with a little honey, if you prefer.
- Baking soda, which can instantly neutralize stomach acid when a teaspoon is mixed in a glass of water.
- Cinnamon, which is one tasty treat when ½ teaspoon is mixed with a cup of boiling water. Don’t let it cool down too much; it’s most effective while it’s still very warm.
- Cumin seeds, which work surprisingly quickly to relieve bloating and gas. Boil about 2 tablespoons in a glass of water.
- Fennel seeds, which you can consume right out of your spice jar. Or you can make fennel tea by mixing 2 teaspoons of crushed fennel seeds with 1 cup of hot water.
- Garlic soup, which you can improvise by mixing minced garlic with broth.
- Ginger is effective at reducing bloating and it’s versatile. Add a little in your recipes to head off the symptoms of indigestion. Or make a glass of ginger tea by mixing ½ teaspoon of ground ginger with 1 cup of water water. If you wish to experiment with fresh ginger, sprinkle a little salt on some ginger slices.
- Mint leaves, boiled in 1 cup of water. Start with five or six leaves and use as many as 10 leaves, depending on your level of discomfort.
One of the very best remedies for bloating and gas is active charcoal, which literally absorbs gas. You can find this remedy in the form of CharcoCaps, an over-the-counter tablet that you chew before and after a meal. This is a sure-fire remedy – and one that you’ll gladly want to share with your friends.