Soothe an Upset Stomach With These 8 Natural Remedies
- JKB Consulting Group
- Jun 14, 2022
- 5 min read
Upset tummies can be the worst… when they hit, all you can do is hope to get through it. We’ve all had our share of stomach upsets, and here we have gathered a band of remedies that have worked well for many, naturally.
One of the great resources we love sharing with employers is helpful tips like this provided by the Cleveland Clinic that are freely given to all employees that participate and enroll in the Better Healthcare Benefits Plan (BHBP). When an employee is not feeling well on the job or at home, everybody should know what tummy soothers to use if their ‘go to’ one doesn’t do the job. We have found 8 natural, soothing remedies we have listed here.
Stomachaches are so common that everyone experiences them at one point or another. There are dozens of reasons why you might get a tummy ache. Most causes aren’t serious and the symptoms pass quickly. Generally, there’s no need to look further than your kitchen for a solution.
1. Bitters and soda
A bar is probably the last place you’d think to look for relief from nausea, but many people swear by five or six drops of cocktail bitters mixed into a cold glass of tonic, club soda, or ginger ale.
Most common bitters brands contain a blend of herbs such as cinnamon, fennel, mint, and ginger. These ingredients may be why bitters help ease nausea in some people.
Want to try it? These are a few of our favorites:
2. Ginger
Since ancient times, people have turned to ginger as a cure-all for everything from pain to nausea. It’s not just an old wives’ tale, either. Studies have shown that ginger can be a very effective treatment for some kinds of stomach upset.
A natural anti-inflammatory, ginger is available in many forms, all of which can help. Ginger chews and supplements are easy to take, while other people prefer their ginger in beverage form. Try all-natural ginger ale or chop up some fresh ginger root and make a tea.
Ginger comes in many forms. Take your pick:
3. Chamomile tea
A nice cup of chamomile tea can help ease the pain of an upset stomach by acting as an anti-inflammatory. These anti-inflammatory properties help your stomach muscles relax, which can reduce the pain of cramping and spasms.
4. BRAT diet
Every parent of a toddler knows about the bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (BRAT) diet to calm an upset stomach. It can help with nausea or diarrhea.
BRAT contains low-fiber, high-binding foods. None of these foods contain salt or spices, which can further aggravate symptoms. This bland diet is a go-to for when you’re feeling sick but still have to eat something. Try overcooking the toast — the charred bread is thought to reduce nausea.
Peppermint is often cited as a helpful fix for nausea and upset stomach because the menthol in its leaves is a natural analgesic, or pain reliever.
Try:
brewing a cup of peppermint or spearmint tea
sniffing peppermint extract
sucking on a minty candy
chewing on the leaves themselves
This should keep stomach pangs at bay and alleviate feelings of nausea. Order up! Keep this remedy on hand.
6. Apple cider vinegar
If you can stomach it, try taking this acidic pantry staple by the tablespoon to neutralize an upset stomach. Too strong? Mix a tablespoon with a cup of water and a teaspoon of honey, and sip it slowly.
The acids in apple cider vinegar may help decrease starch digestion, allowing the starch to get to the intestines and keep the bacteria in the gut healthy. Some people take a spoonful each day as a preventive measure.
Order up! Keep this remedy on hand.
7. Heating pad
You might find a heating pad or hot water bottle soothing when you’re feeling sick, so cuddle up to your electric blanket and take it easy until your symptoms pass.
The warmth on your stomach will distract you from any cramping or pain, and the heat can help to relax your muscles and reduce your nausea. Don’t leave it on too long, however, as you can damage your skin from overuse.
Don’t have one on hand? Order one of these:
8. Crushed Ice
Sucking on crushed ice for many people is one of the best ways of calming an iffy stomach. It’s particularly good because it helps hydrate when you can’t get anything else down. Adding crushed to our previous 7 natural remedies above, you will have a good arsenal for when you need it.
When to see a doctor
Stomach problems sometimes do indicate a more serious problem. Prolonged vomiting puts you at risk for dehydration. Drinking small sips of water can help prevent dehydration. Go see a doctor if you are having trouble keeping water down for longer than six hours. You should also call your doctor if you experience nausea or stomach pain and discomfort for more than 48 hours.
If you notice that you are consistently having stomach troubles after eating certain foods or engaging in specific activities, talk to your doctor about your symptoms at your next visit. It may be nothing, but a quick trip to your family doctor can rule out Crohn’s disease, a food allergy, or any other concerns.
Why we recommend employers add the Better Healthcare Benefits Plan (BHBP) to their current healthcare benefits program
Costs - there are NO net costs and administration costs get covered so no dollars negatively affecting an employer's bottom line. NADA. Zip.
Funding - the BHBP is an insurance program vetted and approved currently in 43 states to be run through a private Section 125 creating tax funding to eliminate current ACA MEC plan costs or reduce current healthcare and operations costs.
Employee Benefits - employees receive enhance healthcare benefits not provided by most healthcare benefits plans while the Section 125 tax savings reduces employees' tax liability and increases take-home pay.
For a complete list of benefits built inside the BHBP: Click Here
*Please Note: JKB Consulting Group does not endorse any of the brands listed in this article. We have simply provided links to where items may be purchased online. Most items can be purchased at your local grocery store.
JKB Consulting Group cares about its clients' health and well-being. Our goal is to make access to healthcare through employee benefits affordable. If you are an employer, please check out our website at www.JKBConsultGroup.com.
If you are an employer currently providing a MEC (Minimum Essential Coverage), let's talk. JKB Consulting Group provides solutions to help employers eliminate most, if not all, of their MEC plan costs. During these times of inflation and supply chain issues, this can provide some much-needed financial relief.
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