There’s nothing worse than a bout of painful indigestion to ruin your day. Also known as dyspepsia, indigestion generally refers to a pain or discomfort in your stomach after eating. There’s a lot of reasons why you might suffer from indigestion. Stress can have an impact on the digestive system, as can pregnancy.* Food is the biggest trigger for heartburn and indigestion, with 74% of cases being caused by what we eat or drink.
A common indigestion myth is that there’s no way to tackle indigestion and you have to wait for it to pass on its own – but this isn’t the case. While there isn’t necessarily a cure for indigestion, you can start to tackle the symptoms at home, fast. Rennie† can be used to combat indigestion by neutralising excess stomach acid for fast relief.
Haven’t got a pack of Rennie to hand? You may be able to ease the symptoms with ingredients you’ve already got in your kitchen cupboard! These natural indigestion remedies may help to relieve your symptoms so you can try to get back to living your life free from digestive drama.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF INDIGESTION?
There are lots of symptoms related to indigestion, and everyone experiences indigestion differently. If you’re suffering from one or more of the below, you could have indigestion.
- Pain that starts in the upper part of your stomach then moves up behind your ribs and breastbone (heartburn)
- Feeling sick
- Bringing up acidic-tasting fluids
- An uncomfortable feeling in your stomach like cramps or “knotting”, especially after eating
- Bloating or a burning sensation in your stomach
- Gurgling and rumbling in your stomach
- Excessive burping/flatulence
If the only symptom you’re experiencing is bringing up acidic-tasting fluids, then there’s a good chance you may be suffering from acid reflux, not indigestion. These two terms are often used interchangeably, however there are a few key differences between acid reflux and indigestion.
It can be difficult to get rid of indigestion completely, but there are lots of steps you can take to help ease your symptoms.
HOME REMEDIES FOR INDIGESTION
1. WATER
Water: nature’s best medicine. It’s important to stay hydrated, and if you’re feeling less than your best it’s easy to overlook this simple fix.
Your body needs water to help it properly digest food. The NHS recommends you drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluid a day, which includes water, low fat milk and sugar-free drinks, as well as tea and coffee.
The next time you’re feeling bloated or struggling with digestion, try reaching for a nice cool glass of water to see if it can help.
2. LEMON JUICE
Whilst there is still some debate over whether or not lemon can help with digestion, plenty of people swear by its use. If you want to try it for yourself, dilute a tablespoon of lemon juice into a glass of water and drink it before a big meal. This may help you digest your food properly, which can help to stave off tummy woes.
While some people report that this helps to ease their indigestion, the acidity of the lemon can exacerbate the symptoms for others – so always take care! Remember: lemon juice is acidic, so we recommend using a straw to stop it touching your teeth.
3. GINGER
There’s evidence to suggest that ginger has been used to help relieve nausea and upset stomachs for thousands of years. This natural remedy is a popular staple around the world: how many times have you been offered a ginger biscuit to settle your stomach?
Ginger might be able to reduce stomach acid, so is another popular remedy that may help alleviate indigestion. And the best part? There are so many ways to consume ginger, you’re bound to find one you like! Our favourites are ginger tea, ginger ale and yummy crystallised ginger.
4. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
People have been taking apple cider vinegar as a food supplement for hundreds of years to improve their overall health. It’s no surprise, then, that it’s also been used for indigestion relief!
If you fancy trying it, simply dilute two tablespoons in a glass of water and drink. By mixing it with water, you can quieten the tart taste as well as ensuring you’re properly hydrated.
Like lemon juice, apple cider vinegar is acidic, so should be taken in small doses as it may trigger indigestion or acid reflux in some people. It has also been reported to react with certain medications, so if you’re unsure you should consult your doctor before taking it.
5. PEPPERMINT
A popular supplement often suggested to help ease digestive distress, peppermint may help to relieve general stomach pain, thanks to its antispasmodic (muscle relaxing) properties.
It’s this muscle relaxing side-effect that can make it great for helping to ease indigestion. Try reaching for a cup of peppermint tea, or if you’re on the go you could try sucking on a mint after a big meal.
While peppermint can be a great way to relieve indigestion, it may also relax the muscles between your stomach and food pipe, which can lead to heartburn.
6. CHAMOMILE TEA
This herbal brew is most well-known as a relaxation aid, especially helping those with anxiety. Did you know it’s also used to help relieve indigestion?
Chamomile might be able to reduce stomach acid, and chamomile tea, which can be found in most supermarkets, is quick and easy to prepare.
7. CINNAMON
With proven anti-oxidant benefits, cinnamon may help ease the digestion process.
Like ginger, there are lots of ways to take cinnamon. Add a pinch of cinnamon powder (or a whole cinnamon stick) and a dollop of honey to boiling water to make a tasty cinnamon tea. You can also sprinkle it into meals or add it to smoothies as part of a healthy breakfast routine!
WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR
Indigestion is very common, so usually isn’t anything to worry about – unless it ruins an evening! However, recurring indigestion can often be a symptom of a more serious an underlying medical condition. If you’re suffering from frequent indigestion with any of the following symptoms, you should make an appointment with your GP:
- Vomiting
- Difficulty swallowing or painful swallowing
- Weight loss/loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Black stools
- New or intense heartburn
USING NATURAL REMEDIES
While certain natural remedies can help some people with their indigestion, it’s important to remember that natural remedies cannot be recommended to treat indigestion completely as there’s limited clinical research into how they work. Natural remedies aren’t monitored by any professional bodies and their efficacy is not guaranteed.
*Medicines can affect the unborn baby. Consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine in pregnancy.
TIPS & ADVICE
Take a look at our tips and advice on how to have a happier digestive life.
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