Indigestion is a general term for discomfort, often accompanied by bloating, acidity, heartburn, and nausea or bowel disturbances. Usually Indigestion is a temporary problem, brought about by eating too much or the wrong kind of food, excess alcohol or from stress. Longer-term digestive pains may be caused among other reasons by taking aspirin-related drugs, by heavy smoking or other digestive ailments.
Home remedies for Indigestion
Aromatherapy - A warm compress including Chamomile or Lavender oils may give some relief, or try gently massaging a 2 per cent dilution of one of them into the abdomen if indigestion is milder.
Herbalism - Herbal teas in the first place may well sort out the immediate indigestion, choose from:
CHAMOMILE (Chamomilla recutita): for the effects of over-eating, also if in a stressed state.
LEMON BALM (Melissa officinalis): for nervous indigestion; related to meals or not, settles a churning stomach.
MEADOWSWEET (Filipendula ulmaria): for acid indigestion, especially if accompanied by some looseness in the bowels.
PEPPERMINT (Mentha pipenta): for indigestion with plenty of flatulence and bloated abdomen, or even nausea. Also think of taking Slippery Elm (Ulmus fulva) if indigestion pains are persistent, either 5 ml (1 tsp) of the powder blended in a cupful of water, or the pure tablets, with one or more meals, to soothe the stomach.
Homeopathy - For an occasional bout of indigestion, try a couple of doses of:
ARGENT NIT: where there is a lot of wind, with belching and possibly heartburn, cravings for sweet or fatty foods which tend to upset the digestion and give diarrhoea.
LYCOPODIUM: for pains and wind: if hungry but can only take small amounts of food, worse with cold foods or drink.
Nux VOMICA: useful for the effects of eating and drinking too much causing pain, heartburn and even vomiting.
Naturopathy - If indigestion is quite bad, cut out solid food for 24 hours if possible taking only herb teas or fruit juices (particularly pineapple which contains digestive enzymes), and reintroduce foods gently, starting with something light like soup or pureed apple.
If indigestion is repetitive, try taking a Vitamin B complex supplement as a digestive stimulant, or else look at a digestive enzyme supplement such as Pepsin in short term. Avoid drinking lots of fluid at mealtimes, as this will dilute your natural digestive juices.
Chamomile tea is a relaxing aid to the digestive system.
