Let’s say we had some french fries earlier, and now, hours later, we are enjoying them a second time … burping up stomach acid that tastes remotely reminiscent of the sinfully fried indulgence sans 100% of the joy. Oof.
Acid reflux is just one of many signs of indigestion, and french fries are not the only culprit. Heartburn, stomachaches, bloating, burping, nausea, urgent bathroom trips, and embarrassing and excessive gas can be caused by fried foods, yes. But there are so many varying factors with our body types and tolerances, as well as sneaky ingredient combos that can set off a bout of indigestion. Here are some natural ways to cope.
Peppermint tea is super soothing for digestion and can help calm the spasms that are causing stomach pains and even gas or bloating. Chamomile is also very calming and is known to ease discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract. It’s also known to be anti-inflammatory and to reduce bloating.
Lemon Water or Apple Cider Vinegar
We recommend drinking warm lemon water every morning to hydrate and alkalize, but there are more perks to being alkaline when it comes to indigestion. Alkalinity helps to neutralize stomach acid, so lemon water might be a big ally for those experiencing acid reflux often. Try a tablespoon of lemon juice in warm water before every meal, and reduce to once a day in the morning once things are under control. Apple cider vinegar has a similar effect, but can be too intense for some people, so make sure to dilute as well.
This ayurvedic herb is another antispasmodic to alleviate stomach and gastrointestinal cramping as well as bloating. Add the seeds to your cooking, or steep them for 10 minutes in a tea (it helps if you crush them first to get the most potency out of them) to reap the benefits, which include getting rid of bloat, as it’s a diuretic.
Anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, and great for nausea, ginger is one of our favorite healing roots. Try steeping the fresh root in a tea, or buy the tea dried. You can also add it to smoothies daily, or juice it for an immune boost, though the burning sensation of pure ginger juice might be a bit extreme when stomach acids are already wreaking havoc, so dilute in a glass of room-temperature water.
Aloe vera is a miracle plant in so many ways. While the jelly is incredible for the skin, it’s also super powerful to get things moving in the digestive tract if indigestion has us suffering from constipation. Aloe jelly and juice can also help soothe an irritated tract if we are suffering the, er, opposite issue. It’s anti-inflammatory as well, which helps with pain, and it can help reduce an excess of stomach acid.
Sit Up (Avoid Lying Down)
If you’re experiencing especially terrible acid reflux at night and it’s keeping you up, sit up. If it’s late and you need to clock your beauty rest, prop up some pillows and doze slightly sitting up. Our gurgling stomach acids can reach our esophagus much easier when we are lying down, so using gravity to keep as much of the discomfort at bay as possible is our best bet.
The content provided in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice and consultation, including professional medical advice and consultation; it is provided with the understanding that Poosh, LLC (“Poosh”) is not engaged in the provision or rendering of medical advice or services. You understand and agree that Poosh shall not be liable for any claim, loss, or damage arising out of the use of, or reliance upon any content or information in the article.
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