A common misconception is that indigestion is the result of eating fatty, spicy or acidic foods. The reality is that indigestion can be precipitated by other factors such as stress, allergies, consuming tainted products or simply from little idiosyncrasies that we were born with or developed over time. While the go-to remedy for treating these problems is to take antacids, and it’s important to keep a supply on-hand in our survival kits and bug out bags, they don’t always work. Fortunately, there are a number of home remedies that you can use as alternatives that may be more-effective. Let’s take a look at a few tried-and-true remedies that have helped countless people to feel better fast.
Baking Soda
Most antacid products contain baking soda, and you can experience the same benefits for a fraction of the cost by making your own treatment. All you need to do is add a teaspoon of baking soda to a glass of water, stir, and drink. If you don’t notice any improvement, make another glass and consider increasing the level of soda. While it may not be the tastiest option, it can work, and it can work fast.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Vinegar not only neutralizes stomach acid, but it can also help to settle an upset stomach. Vinegar can also wake up the stomach and increase appetite as well. Add a tablespoon of vinegar and honey to a glass of water, give it a good stir, and drink it slowly. Chances are that you’ll start to experience relief in a few minutes, and you can take another serving or two without feeling any ill-effects as necessary. One of the advantages of this remedy is that vinegar and honey have a laundry-list of other heath benefits, so you’re giving your body a nutritional boost while soothing stomach pain at the same time.
Ginger
Ginger promotes healthy digestion by stimulating important enzymes in the stomach, and it also helps the intestines to absorb nutrients as well. Like vinegar, there are a lot of health benefits associated with ginger that go beyond easing stomach upset. You can make a ginger tea, combine ginger with honey or lemon and mix it with water, or you can chew on some ginger following meals to experience relief as well as to prevent problems from developing in the first place.
Teas
A number of teas are known to be fantastic digestive aids, and they can also serve as a mood booster, stress reducer or to support the immune system. Some teas, such as chamomile, also act as a mild sedative that can help you to relax at the end of the day.
Fennel Seeds
Fennel seeds are particularly effective for treating indigestion brought on by fatty or spicy foods. You can steep the seeds in some warm water to make a tea, or you can grind them up into a coarse powder and mix with a glass of water. While this isn’t the tastiest remedy out there, it can be effective.
Carom Seeds
Carom seeds are known to ease indigestion as well as reducing gas, flatulence and the severity of diarrhea. You can eat a small handful whole or raw, or you can grind them up with some ginger and a little bit of black pepper before adding them to a glass of water and drinking as well.
Try these remedies for yourself, and chances are that at least one of them will provide you with some much-needed relief. Keep your eyes open for other remedies that you can experiment with as well, and incorporate the ones that work best into your survival kits. While they may not seem important now, you’ll be glad that you did when you encounter ailments in the midst of a crisis.
