How to relieve stomach pain quickly
Stomach aches, also broadly called “abdominal pain,” are tricky things to find remedies for unless you know the cause. Ranging from indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome to gastritis and GERD, an aching tummy can stem from many things. Assuming you are dealing with an uncomplicated stomach ache, these remedies can help bring relief from the pain and discomfort that’s making you miserable.
1. Enjoy a Cup of Chamomile Tea
Chamomile can help ease the pain of a stomach ache by working as an antiinflammatory (for example the lining of the stomach can become inflamed as a result common gastritis, caused by bacteria) and by relaxing the smooth muscle of the upper digestive track. When it relaxes that muscle, the contractions that are pushing food through your system ease up a bit and lessen the pain of cramping and spasms.
You will need…
- 1 teabag of chamomile tea OR 12 teaspoons of dried chamomile
- A mug
- Hot water
Directions
Pour boiling water over a teabag and cover your mug, letting it steep for 10 minutes. If using dried chamomile, place 12 teaspoons in a mug and cover with boiling water. Cover the mug and let steep for 1520 minutes. Sip slowly.
2. 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.
3. Use a “Hot” Pack
I put hot in quotations because you don’t truly want it hotjust very warm, but comfortably so. You can also use a hot water bottle for this as well. Heat helps to loosen and relax muscles, so if you find yourself cramping up, some warmth can go a long ways for relieving you of the dreadful discomfort.
You will need…
- A hot pack, hot water bottle, or something similar
- A cozy place to lie down
Directions
Find a place to lie down, and rest the hot pack on your belly. It should be a comfortable temperature, but definitely warm. Do this for at least 15 minutes, or as long as you need to, reheating as necessary.
4. Ginger
Since ancient times, people have turned to ginger as a cureall 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 antiinflammatory, 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 an allnatural ginger ale or chop up some fresh ginger root and make a tea.
5. Rice Water
Rice water is exactly what it sounds likethe water leftover after you cook rice. It acts a demulcent, meaning a substance that relieves inflammation by forming a sort of soothing barrier over a membrane, in this case, the lining of your stomach.
You will need…
- 1/2 cup of white rice
- 2 cups of water
- A pot
Directions
Cook your rice with twice the amount of water you normally would for your chosen amount. In this case I am using plain old longgrain white rice. Put your rice in a pot on the stove and add the water, cooking over mediumlow heat. As the rice starts to become tender, remove it from the heat and let it soak for 3 minutes with the lid on the pan. Drain and drink the water warm, adding a smidge of honey if needed. Save the rice for a bland meal later.
6. 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 nausea or diarrhea.
BRAT contains lowfiber, highbinding foods. None of these foods contain salt or spices, which can further aggravate symptoms. This bland diet is a goto for when you’re feeling sick but still have to eat something. Try overcooking the toast the charred bread is thought to reduce nausea.
7. Enjoy Some Mint
Fresh peppermint tea (or just peppermint tea in general) can help relax stomach muscles. It also helps improve the flow of bile, which helps you digest properly. This is especially useful if suffering from indigestion or gas/bloating.
You will need…
- A handful of fresh peppermint leaves OR 12 teaspoons dried
- Mug
- 1 cup water
Directions
Cover the peppermint with 1 cup of boiling water, cover, and let steep for 510 minutes. Sip slowly while it’s still toasty warm. If using the fresh peppermint leaves, you can chew on them as well to ease stomach pains. You can also just use a premade teabag if you find that more desirable.
