Treat Upset Stomach Naturally
Stomachache is a discomforting pain in abdominal region and
it is very common in people of all ages.
Either you have upset stomach, acid reflux or heartburn, the only thing in common is the stomach pain. Excess acid in the stomach is what brings the discomfort and pain. It can be treated by neutralization.
Either you have upset stomach, acid reflux or heartburn, the only thing in common is the stomach pain. Excess acid in the stomach is what brings the discomfort and pain. It can be treated by neutralization.
Other than taking antacids, choose natural remedies like
baking soda will give best and effective relief from problem.
Baking Soda For Upset Stomach
Baking soda (also known as sodium bicarbonate) is a common
household substance, most often used as a rising agent in baking. It has a
white crystalline appearance. Apart from its myriad of industrial and household
uses, this miracle compound can be a quick and natural way to relieve the
problematic symptoms of an upset stomach.
Read on for some of the long tried and tested all-natural
ways to fix your upset stomach using baking soda.
Nothing ruins your day faster than having unhappy
digestion. As a solution, most people tend to grab the nearest bottle of
antacids or some other strong medicine. Before you do that, the best way to
avoid an upset stomach is to identify the cause of issue.
Common Causes of an Upset Stomach
- Bad eating habits such as over-eating and fast eating
- Eating unhealthy, greasy, or over-salted foods
- Frequent gastric reflux
- High stress
- Certain medicines (talk to your doctor if you suspect something like this)
If you do get an upset stomach for any reason, then use the
following home remedies to give your internal system a break from the daily
assault of preservatives and toxins that we ingest with our unhealthy diet.
An upset stomach can signal a serious problem and, if left
untreated, can lead to some intestinal problems like nausea, heartburn, or
stomach cancer.
Is Baking Soda a Good Remedy for An Upset Stomach?
Some of the facts, which prove the effectiveness of baking
soda for upset stomach, are given below:
- Baking soda acts as a natural antacid, helping to neutralize the acids in your digestive tract.
- It breaks down food and makes digestion easier.
- The addition of baking soda for stomach restores the pH balance of the body
- Baking soda relieves excess gas and bloating.
- The sodium content in baking soda draws the digestive juices into stomach to ease the passage into small intestine and then down to the line.
A Word of Caution: Make sure that you don’t take it in
large amounts, as it can cause high blood pressure. Also avoid taking it if
you’re on a sodium-restricted diet – doing so can lead to other health issues.
How To Use Baking Soda To Treat Upset Stomach?
Baking soda can be used in many ways to treat the upset
stomach. Try these home methods to get relief from an upset stomach.
2 Ingredient Methods (Baking Soda + Water):
A simple solution prepared with water can be used; it is an
easy way to treat your painful symptoms.
Baking soda dissolves quickly in water and is absorbed in
the intestines. It neutralizes the effects of an acidic diet or meal. The
carbonation that occurs when sodium bicarbonate mixes with water will promote
burping, which relieves excess gas and bloating to ease the upset stomach and
pain. Therefore, the effectiveness lies in bicarbonate of soda for upset
stomach.
This diluted baking soda helps to treat:
- Upset stomach or indigestion
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease)
1. Diluted Baking Soda for Upset Stomach
- Add ½–1 teaspoon of baking soda to half a glass of water
- Mix well to dissolve completely
Drink this once every 4 hours (or as per the severity of
your problem). This is intended for adults, not children, and the dosage should
not exceed 5 teaspoons per day.
2. Baking Soda with Warm Water
- Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to 1 cup of warm of water
- Stir in a few drops of lemon juice
- Mix well and drink to get relief from upset stomach within 10–15 minutes
This process help to soothe the stomach. Repeat once in 3
hours, if upset stomach persists.
Multi-Ingredient Methods:
3. Baking Soda with Vinegar and Water
- Take a small glass of water and add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda for upset stomach
- Stir well and add a teaspoon of vinegar. Vinegar (either ACV or plain) helps to reduce acidity
- It will start bubbling up – if it doesn’t, add a bit of baking soda and vinegar
- Wait for few minutes until the bubbles settle down a bit before you drink it
- Drink this in about 10 seconds to get relief from the upset stomach
If you don’t feel any improvement within 15 minutes then
drink another brew (try a slightly stronger solution).
4. Baking Soda with Lemon
- Take 2 lemons and squeeze the juice from it
- Stir well and it causes some foaming.
- Add ½ teaspoon of baking soda and little bit of sugar or honey (to sweeten)
- Mix it well as it will foam quickly. Drink while it is foaming.
- Or you can also add 1 lemon juice, 2 teaspoons of baking soda for stomach ache and a pinch of salt in 1/2 glass of water. Drink this to burp and clear all the gas and bloating to clear the pain.
- Alternatively, you can add juice of 1 lemon, 5 grams of baking soda in 1 tablespoon of olive oil and drink it down to clear the problem. Massage the abdomen for more quick results.
- Regular intake will definitely help you to heal the abdomen pain.
It will release the gases that are trapped in the stomach
through carbonation and this baking soda neutralizes the stomach acid. This
process is also used to treat stomach pain.
5. Baking Soda with Lemon and Peppermint Leaves
- Take ½–1 teaspoon of baking soda, a teaspoon of lemon juice and few crushed peppermint leaves
- Add these to ½ cup of water and mix it well
- Consume this immediately by adding small ice cubes (if you have burning sensation in the stomach)
This combination will bring the immense relief from the
problem by soothing the upset stomach.
6. Baking Soda with Peppermint Tea
- Make a cup of peppermint tea and add ½–1 teaspoon of baking soda for stomach pain
- Mix it well and drink this immediately, or add lemon juice and then drink
Remember that it will take around 10–15 minutes to show its
effects on indigestion.
7. Baking Soda with Apple Cider Vinegar
- Take ¼ teaspoon of baking soda and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- Mix it well in 250 mg of water for a minute until thoroughly mixed
- This combination will produce lot of bubbles – mix this inside a large empty pitcher and add apple cider vinegar very slowly
- Slice an orange into 8 equal wedges and set aside
- Drink this solution immediately at once to get rid of the upset stomach, GERD or heartburn. You can also use remedy of baking soda for nausea.
- Eat the citrus wedges to take the sour taste from your mouth, or eat a slice of any fruit
Consume this thrice a day to get complete relief from the
upset stomach.
Quick Tip:
- You can avoid the water and simply take baking soda and apple cider vinegar solution to treat upset stomach.
- This should be taken for 5 days straight and then stopped for 2 days, then continue it whenever you suffer from upset stomach.
- Consult your doctor if you have any digestive condition that affects the mouth, esophagus, stomach or intestines.
8. Baking Soda with Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey
- Take a teaspoon each of baking soda, apple cider vinegar and honey
- Mix well in a glass of water
- Drink this mix for twice a day till you get complete relief from stomach pain.
Drink this twice a day for a couple of weeks to get relief
from a sour stomach.
What Dosage Should You Use?
How much baking soda for upset stomach a person should
take? To get relief from the indigestion, take the right dosage of baking soda.
- For adults, it is advisable to take ½-1 teaspoon of baking soda for every 3–4 hours (as per the severity and relief)
- For children of above 6 years, it is advisable to take ¼-½ teaspoon of baking soda.
These baking soda remedies will not be used for the
children of below 6 years until and unless it is prescribed by the doctor with
the right dosage.
Important Points to be Considered When Using these Baking Soda Remedies:
- Avoid taking baking soda if you’re on a sodium-restricted diet, as it causes high blood pressure. If you’re on sodium or salt restricted diet, then lower the baking soda to reduce other health issues.
- Consult the doctor before taking it as an antacid because it may interact with certain prescription drugs.
- Avoid giving this to children below 6 years age.
- People suffering from congestive heart failure, calcium absorption interference, gas, kidney damage, liver cirrhosis, etc. should avoid consuming baking soda.
- Pregnant women and breastfeeding women should also consult their doctor before using these remedies.
- Always check that baking soda is completely dissolved before taking the mixture. Also check for pure baking soda but not baking powder.
- It can interact with certain medications, so consult your doctor to discuss before taking baking soda and your health conditions.
- Capsules, tablets, granules and solutions are other forms of using baking soda which you can use to clear the problem. Never ever consume baking soda on full stomach.
- It exhibits certain side effects like gas, increased thirst, headache, nausea, stomach cramps, breathing difficulties, etc. so avoid taking it heavily.
- Remember that baking soda doesn’t cure your stomach related diseases but it just gives you a symptomatic relief. If you’re stomach pain is over whelming or consistent with other associated symptoms, then you have to consult your doctor for immediate diagnosis and treatment.
- Apart from simply following baking soda remedies, you have to stay hydrated, have small meals in regular intervals of time, avoid food which is allergic to you, do some regular exercises, etc. to prevent the recurrence of stomach ache.
Tips & Precautions to Avoid Stomach Problems:
Taking baking soda will get you relief from upset stomach
and digestive issues, but it’s wise to remember some basic lifestyle tips to
avoid these problems in the first place.
A few basic changes can affect your health and overall
digestion.
- Stick to a healthy diet
- Have regular meals at specific times
- Regular exercise (start out with light exercises)
- Eat your meals slowly and at a relaxed pace
- Avoid fatty, oily, spicy, junk foods
Use these quick-fix methods if you are having problems with
an upset stomach. Baking soda is an invaluable item to have handy for times
when you face digestive issues.