Bloating is never pleasant. Your belly feels full, tight, and uncomfortable. Sometimes, it might even look swollen. Nausea and gassiness may crop up, making way for a gut-wrenching experience. However, reaching for the right food and drink can bring it to an end.
There are many things that can lead to bloating. Swallowing air – especially while eating – is a common cause. And this is a good reason to never talk with your mouth full! Carbonated beverages are another setup for belching and bloating. Ate too much on Taco Tuesday? Bloating is likely, again.1
Other times, a stomach bloat stems from conditions like gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, bacterial infections, or lactose intolerance. Managing these conditions is vital for keeping bloating at bay.2 So, here are 7 natural remedies that can keep bloating away no matter what the cause.
7 Natural Remedies To Reduce Bloating
1. Eat Raw Ginger With Salt And Lemon Juice
If you can handle the intense flavor, raw ginger is an amazing remedy. For more than 2,000 years, ginger has been to treat diarrhea, nausea, and upset stomachs.3 You can thank gingerols, the active components in ginger.4
How To Use
- Slice a thumb-sized piece of ginger.
- Sprinkle salt and lemon juice.
- Chew on the ginger until it turns into mush.
- Spit it out and drink water.
2. Drink A Ginger Lemon Shot
You can drink a zesty shot of ginger if you’re not crazy about the idea of chewing it! You will still get the same benefits.
How To Use
To make a shot, you’ll need a juicer.
- Cut a thumb-sized piece of ginger.
- Run it through the juicer.
- Follow with 1 lemon.
- If you’d like, add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder for anti-inflammatory benefits.
3. Make Hot Ginger Tea
For a gentler option, make ginger tea. The warm water will help soothe nausea, pain, and bloating.
How To Use
- In a small pot, bring water to a boil.
- Add enough ginger, depending on your taste.
- Boil until the water is infused with the ginger.
- Strain out the ginger and mix with lemon and honey, if you’d like.
4. Take Activated Charcoal Pills
According to the American Journal of Gastroenterology, activated charcoal reduces intestinal gas and also nixes stomach cramps.5 When you’re feeling bloated, this remedy will seriously save the day.
How To Use
- Take 1 or 2 pills of activated charcoal.
- Follow it with lots of water to prevent constipation.
Activated charcoal can interact with many medicines, so ask your doctor if it’s safe to use. Activated charcoal is not meant to be taken every day.6
5. Go For Papaya Enzyme Supplements
Papaya enzyme is used as a digestive aid as the actual fruit has therapeutic, immune-boosting properties.7
How To Use
- If you don’t have fresh fruit, buy papaya enzyme pills from the supplement section.
- Take 1 papaya enzyme supplement.
- If you’re taking other drugs, ask your doctor before taking it.
6. Make Fennel Tea
Ayurveda honors fennel seed as a digestive aid. You can chew them as is, but making a hot tea will soothe an upset stomach. Make this remedy when you’ve got a serious bloat.
How To Use
- Crush fennel seeds until you have 1 to 2 teaspoons of the powder.
- Heat water until it boils.
- Add the crushed fennel seeds.
- After 5 minutes, strain the mixture and enjoy.
7. Make A Magnesium-Rich Salad
Magnesium may ease bloating, especially if it’s caused by PMS symptoms. You’ll also get relief from insomnia, swelling in the leg, and breast tenderness.8 Most Americans don’t get enough of magnesium, so a salad made of high-magnesium foods is a great choice.
How To Use
- Bake or poach fatty fish, such as mackerel. A 3-ounce serving has 82 milligrams of magnesium.
Or
- Wash and prepare leafy greens like spinach and Swiss chard.
- Toss with cooked brown rice, almonds, hazelnuts, and/or lime beans.
Or
- Cut up fish and mix. Add other veggies according to your preference. 9
After trying these remedies, go for a walk. The movement will make the gas move out of the system. In the future, avoid habits that lead to bloating.
References
