It is summer again, so everyone is out and about. You do not feel like cooking at home, you travel to other countries, you feel a bit crazy and do things you probably wouldn’t normally do, but, well, it is summer after all, and you need to relax.
Unfortunately eating randomly, skipping meals, drinking cocktails and various alcoholic beverages, eating unknown stuff in unknown places, combined with being in large crowds, the hotness of the sun, all these could very easily lead to developing a nasty indigestion during your beautiful vacation. There are many times when you will not even know what to buy from a pharmacy or maybe they will not even understand what you want. So, here are some natural remedies that can help you navigate your indigestion without being held back from the summer fun.
Ginger
This is something that you can find almost anywhere, and if you do not find it raw, you can always buy or order ginger tea. This is probably one of the oldest remedies used to treat an upset stomach. Ginger contains over 180 enzymes that help break down the proteins and then eliminate the gases from the stomach and intestines. It is also a very good remedy against nausea. As a side note, due to this ability, it is also used to treat motion sickness very efficiently. If you know yourself to be a person that often has issues with indigestion it might be a good idea to drink a ginger tea after each meal.
Mint
This is not only an ingredient in your Mojitos, but an important ally of your stomach. Mint tea reduces muscle spasms of the intestine, prevents diarrhea and nausea and helps relieve stomach pain. It is not only very helpful, but it also has a very good taste. What is comforting in regard to this plant, is that it grows easily and everywhere in the world, and furthermore, most restaurants in the world have mint tea.
Cinnamon
The extremely aromatic ingredient is very useful when you are suffering from indigestion. Cinnamon contains many antioxidants like camphor or eugenol, which ease the food digestion and also prevent irritation of the stomach and intestines. It also helps with lowering the acidity in the stomach that usually causes heartburn and discomfort. Since it will be probably be very difficult to find and buy cinnamon tea, you can go to any local shop and buy some cinnamon powder or a stick. Then you can pour hot water over it, wait for a few minutes to let it brew, and then drink it.
Chamomile
This is one of the oldest natural products used to calm the stomach and ease the digestion. It has anti-inflammatory proprieties, but it also protects from bacteria and allergies. It helps lower the acidity in your stomach, it calms the pain and it can also cure diarrhea. In addition, it has a calming effect on your nervous system, so it might ease your mind and help you sleep through the discomfort. You can drink a cup of chamomile tea even if you do not suffer from indigestion, especially after a fatty meal.
Fennel
Fennel seeds contain estragole, an element that helps your stomach release gas and therefore ease the pain and discomfort you are feeling. It also has a relaxing effect on the muscle, so it will reduce the intestinal spasms. Fennel seeds are also known for stimulating the production of digestive juices, so they will be able to help you have an easy digestion. You can make a tea out of the seeds, by adding them to boiling water or you can even chew them.
Lemon and water
Lemon helps digestion and together with the water will reduce the acidity of the stomach. The water you are making the lemon juice with needs to hot or at least warm, not cold, because you might get the opposite result. Another alternative to the lemon water is to add to it 1 teaspoon of baking soda. It contains sodium bicarbonate that will facilitate the digestion by acting similarly to gastric juices. Still, you need to be careful with this method because it can lead to high acidity levels in your stomach and it could harm you. It is a good idea to first put the lemon juice and then the baking soda.
There are many natural products that are made entirely from plants and herbs and that prove to be of real help when you suffer from an upset stomach especially when you are away. You can stock up with various teas or at least take some small tea bags with you and you will be ready for a nasty indigestion.
