Overeating is certainly one of the most common causes of indigestion, but it is not always the only reason. A stomach problem, eating during odd times, having spicy and oily food, drinking less water, stress all can work as a reason of indigestion. While having an enzyme is the easy option we all have at hand to treat indigestion, it is not certainly the most health friendly way. If indigestion is becoming a regular issue for you, an underlying stomach infection can be the root problem and in that case, to cure indigestion completely, you first need to cure the underlying infection.
There are some home remedies that you can use to get rid of indigestion without any side effects. Read on to know about the best home remedies to treat indigestion,
Ginger tea
Ginger is well known since ancient times for its ability to boost the digestion process. Having ginger tea can be a good way to treat indigestion. Take 1 glass of hot water and add 2 inches of well smashed ginger roots in it. Let it steep for 5 minutes and then drink the water with the ginger pieces. It is expected to give you relief from indigestion within 20-30 minutes. To treat chronic indigestion, you can drink ginger tea thrice a day or chew small ginger pieces before and after meals.
Chamomile tea
The herb chamomile is also used extensively in Ayurveda for curing indigestion. This herb is known for boosting the secretion of digestive enzymes and can also soothe the stomach. Steep 2 spoons of dried chamomile leaves in 1 glass of hot water for 10 minutes, remove the leaves and then drink it. This tea should give you relief from indigestion within 15-20 minutes. You can drink chamomile tea thrice a day to treat chronic problems of digestion.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar can be a great home treatment to boost up your natural digestion process. The pectin present in ACV is believed to aid in digestion giving you quick relief. Add 1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar in one cup of warm water along with 1 spoon of honey. Drink this mixture slowly and you are sure to get some relief within 20 minutes. You can drink this mixture 2-3 times a day to cure regular indigestion.
Fennel seeds
Fennel seeds are one of the most common home remedies to treat indigestion. You can grind the fennel seeds and soak 2 spoons of it in water for 10 minutes before drinking. You can also simply chew some fennel seeds to get relief from indigestion. Fennel seeds have some compounds that help in boosting the secretion of digestive enzymes which naturally cures indigestion. Drinking fennel seed water the first thing in the morning can be helpful to treat regular indigestion problems.
Baking soda
Baking soda can be helpful to ease indigestion by neutralizing the acids. It can also give you relief if you are suffering from heartburn along with indigestion. Just add 1 spoon of baking soda in a glass of water along with few drops of lemon and drink it. This is expected to work and give you some relief within 30 minutes.
Carom seeds
Carom seeds or ajwain is another well-known treatment for indigestion. Having carom seeds soaked water or chewing these seeds directly can be a good way to get relief from indigestion. You can also add some lemon juice and rock salt to carom seeds and dry them in the sun and chew them after your meals to get relief from chronic indigestion problems.
Orange juice
Orange juice is the pick of the scientists to treat indigestion. Having an orange after your meal or drinking orange juice frequently during the day can boost your digestion process, giving you relief from indigestion. The vitamins present in orange juice are most probably the key factors behind the digestion boosting ability of oranges.
Garlic and soya oil massage to treat indigestion
This treatment was in use in ancient Ayurveda to treat indigestion. To use it, heat few crushed cloves of garlic in 2 tablespoons of soya oil for few minutes and then apply this oil over the stomach and let it stand. It is expected to cure indigestion within 30 minutes of application and then you can remove it with a cotton cloth.
Sour curd for curing indigestion
Sour curd, especially the one made in home is filled with bacteria that are good for your stomach and can readily aid in the digestion process. So, if you are suffering from indigestion having some sour curd can be helpful. You can have a small bowl of sour curd after every meal of the day to keep indigestion at bay.
While the above home remedies can be highly helpful to keep indigestion at bay, it is also important to make some changes in your food habits and lifestyle if you are continuously suffering from the problem of indigestion. Some of the tips that can help you to get rid of the problem of indigestion include,
- Eat small meals in proper time. Eating at odd hours as well as eating a lot on a single sitting often results into digestive problems. When you divide your meals into small portions it becomes much easier for your digestive system to deal with the food, and naturally you are relived from the discomfort of indigestion.
- Having spicy, fatty and junk food can be a reason of indigestion. If you are suffering from this problem, limit your visit to the restaurants and parties and start depending more on leafy vegetables, fruits and home cooked meals. Including more foods that are rich in dietary fibers in your regular diet can be the most effective way to get rid of any digestive problems.
- Do not hurry while having your meal. Stuffing your mouth with lots of food and pushing them down quickly because you are in hurry, is one of the major reasons of indigestion. Remember, that the digestive process starts from the mouth and hence chewing your food properly and having it slowly is important to ensure easy digestion
- Keeping stress at bay is also important to stay away from the problem of indigestion. Stress disrupts the normal hormonal balance in the body which naturally results into digestive and other problems.
Exercising can also be an effective way to boost digestion and to cure the digestive problems permanently. Also make sure that you drink sufficient water during the day as dehydration can also cause problems in digestion.