Stomach pain is one of the most commonly manifesting symptoms of body discomfort. However, it is not essential that stomach pain originates from problems in the stomach. The causes of stomach ache differ with the intensity, duration, and exact location of the pain.
It is stated that 7.2–18.7% of patients approaching a doctor with abdominal pain suffer from gastroenteritis, 2.6–13.2% suffer from irritable bowel disease, approximately 5.3 % of patients have urological causes that incite abdominal distress, and close to 5.2% patients suffer from gastritis. It is expected that such cases would benefit the most from home remedies for stomach pain.
About 1 in 10 abdominal pain patients suffer from acute diseases. 1.9 % of stomach pain patients suffer from appendicitis, 3% from diverticulitis, 4 % from biliary/pancreatic, and 1% from the neoplastic disease. These patients need immediate medical attention, intervention, and therapy.
Let us look at a few home remedies that effectively relieve low-level or non-threatening stomach pain:
It is a well-known fact that water is essential for life; however, it may be more appropriate to state that a healthy consumption of water is most essential to lead a healthy life.
An adult human being is expected to drink close to 3-4 liters of water daily; this water is required for proper digestion, waste removal, cleaning of internal organs, (Suchita Patel, 2015)and transport of energy through the body.
Our stomach produces acid that helps to the breakdown of food for energy and nutrition. However, when a person suffers from acidity, the body produces excess stomach acids that are harmful to the stomach’s inner lining.
A common symptom of acidity or hyperacidity is stomach ache. Drinking appropriate quantities of fresh and clean water is a home remedy to effectively reduce the acidity levels in the stomach; thereby, decreasing the possibility of stomach pain due to acidity.
Most women undergo abdominal discomfort at various levels during their monthly menstrual cycle(1). This discomfort may manifest in the form of stomach ache, lower backache, or lower abdominal pain due to cramping of the uterus. Drinking or sipping a glass of warm water every 2 hours during menstruation is the best remedy for period stomach pain.
Occasionally abdominal cramps occur due to excessive exercise, weak stomach muscles, gas, or indigestion. These cramps also mimic symptoms similar to that of stomach pain. In such cases, sipping hot or warm tea can be a good way to relieve stomach pain.
Fennel Tea: Fennel is known to relieve gas-related stomach distress due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Fennel seed tea is made by boiling 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds in 2 cups of water for 15 minutes. Sipping on this fennel seed tea helps in curing gas and therefore, relieves stomach pain.
Rice Tea: Rice helps in easing stomach cramps due to the presence of high levels of magnesium and potassium. An effective home remedy for stomach pain, caused by diarrhea, is to drink Rice Tea. To prepare Rice Tea, boil ½ a cup of water in 6 cups of water for 15 minutes and then strain the tea into a drinking cup. The tea can be consumed with desired[SDD1] flavorings.
Green Tea: A warm cup of green tea is rich with anti-oxidant properties and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties relieve stomach bloating and gas related stomach pain.
Mint Tea: Mint on its own is very good for the stomach due to its analgesic properties. Mint Tea relieves heartburn due to its menthol nature. Sipping warm mint tea is a good home remedy for stomach pain due to hyperacidity, heartburn, or gas.
One of the most common household ingredients is Ginger. It is easily available in the form of fresh stems or rhizome, dried powder, extract, and juice.
Ginger(2) has been used as a remedy for many ailments ranging from common cold and coughs to indigestion. It is known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.
It contains gingerol, parasols, and shogoals that are said to have the property to effectively induce bowel movement (Nafiseh Shokri Mashhadi, 2014).
Consumption of Ginger for stomach pain in the following forms may provide relief:
[ Read: How to Relieve Stomach Pain with 5 Amazing Natural Methods? ]
Sodium Bicarbonate is a sure way to cure stomach pain related to gas, acidity, or indigestion. This ingredient is commonly available in any kitchen in the form of Baking Soda. The easiest ways to consume baking soda for stomach pain are:
These home remedies are said to produce carbonic acid which improves liver function and induces better digestion; thereby, relieving symptoms of stomach pain. However, they are not appropriate to treat children below the age of 6 years, as their stomachs are delicate and may not react to baking soda as desired.
Banana acts as a binder for food in the stomach and intestinal tract. Eating a ripe banana helps to ease abdominal distress due to diarrhoea, as it binds the food to stop loose and watery bowel motion.
Banana has mild laxative properties that help in cases of constipation and its related stomach ache. Furthermore, bananas are bland and therefore, they do not irritate the stomach or the intestinal tracts, consuming them as a part of the BRAT Diet (Banana, Rice, Apple, and Toast Diet) relieves stomach ache due to nausea.
Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory as well as anti-oxidant properties; it helps in promoting proper intestinal digestion and improved stomach health.
Eating a pinch of cinnamon powder on an empty stomach in the morning or sucking on an inch of a cinnamon stick is considered an effective method to relieve abdominal distress from gas, bloating, belching, gas, and heartburn.
Drinking Aloe Vera Juice early in the morning, preferably on an empty stomach, is considered as an effective ayurvedic home remedy for stomach pain occurring due to irritable bowel disease.
The Vitamin C present in Aloe Vera Juice has anti-inflammatory properties (Gajendra Mahor, 2016)and it helps relieve stomach distress by gas, acidity, or ulcers. It also promotes good digestion in the stomach due to its anti-oxidant property.
In today’s life improper sleep patterns, unbalanced diets, and lesser physical exertions/ exercise are a few common lifestyle disorders. These disorders often lead to stomach pain or abdominal distress caused by gas, acidity, constipation, diarrhea, etc.
Allopathic medicines are useful in providing superficial relief from these lifestyle diseases; however, they do not address the body’s inability to cope with stress and strain.
Home remedies for relief from stomach pain not only address the immediate symptoms of the disease but also provide support to the body’s self-healing mechanism.
These remedies are inexpensive, accessible, easily practiced daily, and easily administered when in distress. Moreover, they have no side-effects. Thus, it can be said that home remedies for low-level stomach pain relief are the most sensible method for treatment.
[ Read: Effective Ways on How to Battle Stomach Ailments With Essential Oils for Stomach Pain ]
People who suffer from lifestyle disorders are most likely to suffer stomach pain or abdominal distress in some way or another regularly. However, persistent stomach pain over long durations need medical intervention and should be brought to the notice of a doctor.
To prevent stomach pain a person must chew their food properly to activate sufficient digestive enzymes, eat in small quantities and eat frequently, eat a balanced diet, and drink plenty of water.
These habits will have a positive effect on your digestive system, thereby, preventing stomach pain. However, certain conditions, like appendicitis, cannot be predicted and cured by developing healthy habits. [SDD4]
Most lifestyle disorders related to stomach pain can be attributed to spicy food, improperly cooked food, and eating in a hurry. Other foods like chewing gum, carbonated drinks, high fiber foods, and raw vegetables can also induce stomach pain.
Moreover, some people are allergic to gluten, dairy, etc.; consuming any food that you may be allergic to may cause minor or extreme stomach pain.[SDD5]