Nothing turns me into a big baby faster than an upset stomach. Colds, sinus infections, and aches won't stop me from doing what I need to do, but throw some nausea into my life, and things will come to a halt. Unfortunately, daily nausea was my norm last year and until I finally found the remedy for my stomach issues. It was like having the stomach flu every day. However, along the way I learned some effective, all natural remedies for just about any tummy trouble that can come your way. **Keep in mind that I am not a doctor, and if you have consistent issues, it's important that you seek medical attention to see what the root cause is.** That being said, I have used these remedies time and time again, and they ALWAYS come through. Since I don't like recommending things I myself have not tried, this is not the end-all list of all things "stomach". However, I have personally have used all of these remedies with great success, and am excited to share them with you! Feel free to share your own remedies in the comments below!
Nausea
Peppermint- This is my tried and true nausea remedy. If you start to feel icky, steep some high-quality peppermint tea and sip it until the nausea subsides. I also rub peppermint essential oil diluted in coconut oil on my belly. I'm telling you folks, nothing gets rid of nausea faster than peppermint. It's my saving grace whenever I don't feel well! You can find my post all about this awesome herb here.
Ginger- This root has long been known for its ability to calm an upset belly. While I personally find peppermint more effective, ginger is a great way to calm an angry stomach. I buy this in tea form, but you can also create a syrup with the root. Ginger is especially great in aiding digestion, so I often drink lemon-ginger tea after a heavy meal.
Heartburn
Lemon Oil- I stay away from antacids, even during the time when I got constant heartburn. Antacids can do more damage than good in the long run, since it tricks your stomach into thinking it needs to produce more, more, and more acid! While it sounds crazy, lemon oil helps alkalize the acid in your stomach, and immediately calms the burn. When I think "lemon", I think of how acidic it is, but it works miracles on heartburn by telling your belly that its produced enough, therefore getting to the root of the problem instead of covering it up. I drink a cup of water with 1 or 2 drops of lemon oil in it every morning, and it makes a big difference in not only my digestion, but also my immunity, allergies, and internal organs! You can find my post explaining lemon oil here. Note: Do NOT give this remedy to children, as lemon oil is too strong for their little bodies. If you are nursing or pregant, do extensive research before using any essential oils
Papaya Tablets- Many times, the cause of heartburn is your stomach having a hard time digesting your meal. It's no coincidence people get heartburn from spicy food. Papaya contains natural enzymes, which helps your stomach naturally break down the food. It gives your body a "break" so to speak, without making your stomach depend on the tablets. That means that you can take them for a couple months if you need, and then ease off of them if you so desire. All you do is chew 3 small tablets after a meal, and it can help reduce bloating and heartburn! These tablets are my absolute favorite. The texture isn't bad at all, and they are wonderfully minty!
Constipation
Prunes- This one is kinda a no-brainer, so I don't need to explain it much. This was a favorite treatment for my team mates and I during our semester abroad in the Dominican Republic. Turns out a sudden switch to a diet mostly made of rice isn't so easy on the ol' large intestines. Be warned: Start with just a couple, wait for a bit, and then eat more if necessary. Don't ask how I know it's not good to eat a whole bag of this yummy fruit in one sitting.
Aloe Vera- I am in love with aloe vera for so many reasons, and one of them being it can not only treat diarrhea, but also constipation! It gently gets things moving down there. This is another one that you need to start small with- like 1 or 2 ounces, or else it can cause a little bit of stomach cramps.
Berries- Berries are gentle on the digestive tract, but an excellent source of fiber! They were my go-to fiber source when everything else would cause burning and pain in my lower intestines.
Intestinal Burning/Stomach Burning
Slippery Elm Root- Before I found my permanent solution of aloe vera, I took slippery elm root to calm the burn. It acts as a protective coat on your intestines, and can help sooth a burning stomach. It is great for a sore throat, too! I took it in capsule form since I'm not a fan of the taste, but I hear boiling the root itself is even more effective! Take this with a big glass of water to help it coat your insides.
Marshmallow Root- This root is incredibly similar to slippery elm for its coating properties. Again, I opted for the capsule, but you can also buy this in tea or natural form. Just like slippery elm, take this with a big glass of water. After doing some experimenting, I found marshmallow root to be more effective at calming the burn, but every body is different.
Aloe Vera Juice- You'll see this in almost every category for how to remedy stomach issues. That's because it heals inflammation, which can be the root cause of intestinal and stomach burning. Aloe vera soothes, heals, and calms angry intestines, therefore reducing your pain!
Bacteria/Parasites
Oregano oil Capsules- I have yet to treat parasites with oregano oil (thank goodness), but I have killed many a bacteria with it. In fact, it shortens the length of our colds to about 2 or 3 days. I have to admit, if I suspected that I had parasites(it tends to happen especially if you travel) I would go to a doctor, but I've heard that it is very effective. Oregano oil kills bacteria and parasites, cleansing your system. However, because it kills bacteria, make sure you take a quality probiotic to replace your good bacteria in the digestive tract.
Diarrhea
If you are having chronic diarrhea, it's imperative that you see a doctor as it could be a sign of a more serious problem.
L-Glutamine- You guys, this stuff is awesome for your whole body. Stomach issues can really damage the lining of your intestines, but L-glutamine comes to the rescue by helping your body rebuild its muscle tissue. It is an amino acid, which is the building blocks of muscle. Some have found that by taking L-glutamine, they repaired their intestines, therefore reducing/resolving their diarrhea issues. I took this while working to repair the inflammation in my innards, and it helped aid my body in rebuilding the lining.
Aloe Vera- It's hard to believe, but because aloe vera gets to the root of the problem, it can treat both diarrhea and constipation. It can repair and sooth the lining of your intestines, therefore reducing inflammation. Check out my post on this awesome plant here.
Food Poisoning
Activated Charcoal- If you haven't read my post about how activated charcoal can be a lifesaver, you can read it here. This amazing remedy absorbs toxins, but is not absorbed by your body. That means when you take a capsule, it absorbs the toxins causing the food poisoning, and passes right through when you use the restroom. My husband and I have both used activated charcoal to save us from a night spent being best friends with the toilet. Check out my post for more information.
Above all else. the best path to a happy and healthy tummy is limiting or cutting out refined sugars, eating whole, healthy foods, and being good to your body. What are your go-to remedies for tummy troubles?