Stomach pain, cramps, bloating: Stomach pain is one of the most common complaints worldwide. Whether caused by stress, food intolerances, or foods that irritate the mucous membranes—the possible causes are numerous. And although the triggers are usually not serious, stomach pain can have a huge impact on our well-being and daily lives.
The good news is that these symptoms can often be brought under control using simple, effective methods. In addition to over-the-counter medications for stomach pain, there are numerous natural remedies that can soothe your digestive system and relieve pain.
So what can you do about that uncomfortable stomach pain? In this post, we'll share some simple tips and natural home remedies to help you feel good in your gut again.
Stomach Pain: Triggers and Causes
Let's start by looking at the causes, since stomach pain can have various causes. Among the most common triggers are:
- Stress can cause important bodily functions, such as digestion, to be neglected. This can lead to various stomach problems.
- Eating too quickly and/or too much puts a strain on the stomach and can cause stomach problems.
- Fatty or heavily spiced foods stimulate increased secretion of stomach acid and can therefore irritate the stomach lining.
- Coffee, alcohol, and nicotine can also cause stomach pain because they stimulate the release of excess stomach acid.
- Foods that cause bloating, such as beans, cabbage, or legumes, lead to an increase in gas in the digestive tract, which in turn can cause pain.
Please note that, in addition to the causes mentioned above, there are numerous other factors that may be responsible for stomach pain—including various illnesses. If you are unsure and your stomach pain persists for several days, please consult a doctor or naturopath you trust.
Emergency Tips: Home Remedies for Stomach Pain
Sometimes stomachaches come on very suddenly and unexpectedly. That's why we've put together a list of some tried-and-true natural remedies that you might even already have at home:
- Soothing herbal teas: Chamomile, fennel, caraway, licorice root, and peppermint, in particular, are known for their soothing effects on the gastrointestinal tract.
- Essential oils: For acute stomach pain, you can gently massage the affected area of the abdomen with diluted essential oils. The active ingredients in the oil are absorbed through the skin, which can stimulate digestion and relieve cramps. Lemon balm, caraway, fennel, and chamomile oils are particularly suitable for this purpose.
- Warmth for Stomach Pain: Often, a good old-fashioned hot water bottle or a hot cherry pit pillow is all it takes to help relax your stomach.
- Flaxseed oil or flaxseeds: The dietary fiber they contain can help relieve mild stomach pain, especially constipation.
- Spices such as turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon: They contain certain compounds that stimulate the production of digestive juices and can thus relieve bloating, gas, and other stomach discomfort.
Remedies for Stomach Pain: More Tips
Here are some more tips you can incorporate into your daily routine to help prevent stomachaches:
- Take your time when eating: This is something many people overlook—eating too quickly and without paying attention can put a strain on your digestive system and lead to cramps and other discomforts! So make a conscious effort to take your time, focus fully on your food, and chew each bite thoroughly.
- Don't drink anything cold with your meal: Your digestive enzymes are temperature-dependent—so cold drinks reduce their activity. This can cause your digestion to slow down, leading to discomfort. So try to switch to warm drinks like tea or lukewarm water during your meal instead.
- Don't eat anything—or eat only a little—before going to bed: Heavy, high-fat meals in particular, eaten shortly before bedtime, can put additional strain on your stomach.
- Relaxation exercises: Various practices, such as yoga, Pilates, or breathing techniques, can soothe your digestive tract while gently stimulating it at the same time.
What dietary supplements should you take for stomach pain?
To address your stomach pain from a holistic perspective, we’d like to introduce you to a few products that can help support the root cause of your stomach pain: your struggling digestive system.
- Bitter compounds: Bitter compounds are plant substances with a bitter taste that can stimulate your digestive organs, such as the pancreas and liver, which is why they are a valuable addition, especially to hearty meals. Pro Intestand Pro Intest Alcohol-Free offer you a balanced blend of 13 traditionally proven natural herbs with a high content of bitter compounds .
- Enzymes: Enzymes are essential for proper digestion. Without them, food components and nutrients cannot be fully absorbed. To provide your digestive tract with the enzymes it needs, we highly recommend Pro Enzym.
- Nutrients for Healthy Mucous Membranes: The mucous membranes in the gut not only act as natural protective barriers but also play a crucial role in nutrient absorption, regulating bowel movements, and maintaining your gut flora. Pro Mucosa contains valuable nutrients that can support the health of your intestinal mucosa.
Conclusion
Bringing our gut into lasting balance requires more than just treating the bothersome symptoms. After all, our body’s symptoms are its way of communicating with us and letting us know that something isn’t right. That’s why it’s our job to listen to it and understand what it needs. It’s worth digging a little deeper here to identify and address the root causes of these issues. Even simple habits and remedies can be valuable tools that support us on our journey toward a healthier gut.
However, if you're not sure what's causing your stomach pain or if you suffer from recurring stomach pain, be sure to consult a doctor, naturopath, or therapist you trust to rule out any possible medical conditions.
Sources
- Kinsey AW, Ormsbee MJ. The health impact of nighttime eating: old and new perspectives. Nutrients. 2015;7(4):2648-2662.
- Hammering, Andreas. 2016. Good, Better, Bitter: Bitter Substances—The Secret Sources of Energy—Power for the Gut. Südwest Verlag.
- Überall, F. 2021. Healthy with Bitter Substances—Boosting Metabolism and Strengthening the Immune System. Herbig.
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DocCheck Flexikon: Roman Chamomile, accessed on December 11, 2023
