Indigestion, stomach aches, cramps, and a distended abdomen are common occurrences that affect adults and children alike. While people often resort to over-the-counter antacids and bismuth products, there are several natural alternatives that can alleviate these issues.
Understanding the Culprits
Poor diet choices, such as greasy foods, overly sweet items, or hot and drying foods like coffee, can cause stomach pain and bloating. A sedentary lifestyle and stress are other significant factors contributing to stomach issues.
Preventing Stomach Issues Through Diet and Exercise
Prioritizing diet and exercise can prevent several ailments, including stomach issues. A diet rich in whole grains, fruits, green leafy vegetables, fiber, and water can promote smooth digestion and prevent constipation. Incorporating probiotics into your diet can also help regulate digestion.
Applying Heat to Alleviate Pain
Heat can offer temporary relief from cramps and bloating by promoting blood circulation to the stomach and digestive tract, which aids in digestion and reduces pain. Heat can be applied using hot water bottles, heating pads, or microwavable microbead packs for at least 15 minutes several times a day.
The Benefits of Ginger
Ginger is a versatile remedy for various stomach-related issues, ranging from abdominal pain, inflammation, and nausea to digestion problems and motion sickness. The gingerols and shogoals present in ginger help reduce inflammation and pain while allowing smooth muscles to relax. Using ginger in cooking, drinking ginger tea, and chewing ginger gum are popular ways to include ginger in your daily routine.
Rice Water and Porridge
In Asia, many people use rice water to alleviate stomach aches by coating the stomach lining, reducing irritation and inflammation. Rice porridge—also known as jook or congee—combines the benefits of rice water with ginger, scallions, and chicken and can prevent stomach ailments.
Sipping Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea can help soothe stomach tightness and pain caused by stress by relaxing the mind and body. Its anti-inflammatory properties work similarly to those of ginger, helping reduce pain by relaxing the digestive tract.
Acupressure for Pain Relief
Self-acupressure, particularly massaging the points known as Tian Shu—”Heaven’s Pivot”—on either side of the navel, can alleviate pain. According to acupuncture theory, the Stomach 25 points help relieve constipation, diarrhea, dysentery, abdominal distention, pain, irregular and painful menstruation, and more by increasing blood flow, relocating gas or stool blockages, and harmonizing the spleen and stomach. This method is even more efficient when combined with heat application.
In conclusion, by prioritizing a healthy lifestyle, understanding the culprits of stomach issues, and using natural remedies as needed, you can better manage and prevent stomach aches, cramps, and other digestive problems.
