What is Gas?
Gas is one of the most embarrassing health problems, faced by the people. Gas is not a disease, but an indication to some other ill health condition. It causes various health disorders. According to the National Institutes of Health, when nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen, and methane mix together, it forms intestinal gas. Intestinal gas is always present in the digestive track of a human body, from the stomach to rectum. If the intestinal gas is developed excessively, it causes severe problems, like burping, belching, or flatulence. When food stays in the stomach for a very long period of time, it puts a lot of pressure on the stomach and oesophagus. As a result, people suffer with the problem of indigestion as food requires acid for digestion. Thus, gas is produced when there is no sufficient acid in the stomach for digestion.
Things to Know
Gas is of two types, i.e. lower digestive gas and upper digestive gas. The upper digestive gas is formed by swallowing air while drinking or eating. It is passed out through the mouth in the form of burp. It can be trim down by bringing changes in the swallowing and chewing habits.
On the other side, lower digestive gas generates through the fermentation of food. It is passed out through anus. According to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, there are four ways through which, gas moves out from the digestive tract:
- Belching
- Passing out through anus or flatus
- Absorption of gas into the blood
- Consumption by intestinal bacteria
Causes
According to sources, almost 10-20 percent of adults suffer with digestive problem. We all are fond of eating according to our taste and likes, but we are not aware of its after-effects. Very few people know about the causes of the gastric trouble. Generally, gastric problems arise due to bacteria, named H Pylori. Some other causes of gas are:
- Eating too spicy
- Improper chewing of food
- Anxiety and stress
- Excessive drinking of alcohol
- Swallowed air (if not burped up)
- Regular habit of having excess sauces and condiments
- Malfunctioning of intestines
- Bacterial infection
- Improper digestion
- Habit of talking while eating
- Chewing tobacco or smoking
- Over-eating
- Chewing gum or hard candy
- Constipation
- Use of artificial additives
- Use of laxatives in excess
Symptoms
Some of the most common signs of gastric trouble are:
- Knotted feeling in abdomen
- Flatulence
- Tightness and swelling in abdomen (Bloating)
- Sharp punching cramps in abdomen
- Excessive hiccups
- Coated tongue
- Bad breathe
- Belching
- Lack of appetite
Home Remedies for Gas
How to get rid of trapped gases? We all face a common and very embarrassing problem of gas and always try to find solutions to overcome it. It is believed that gastric troubles can be easily solved by natural remedies. Instead of seeking antibiotics, one should find natural ways for gas relief. Let us go through some natural and quick resulting home remedies for curing the gas trouble and pain.
1. Garlic
To get relieve from gas, garlic is the best option. It is known for its pungent and heating qualities, which will help in reducing the gastric fire. For proper digestion, one should have fresh garlic soup.
Boil some grinded garlic cloves in water. Add cumin seeds and black pepper in it. After boiling, strain it and let it cool down on room temperature. Drink the solution thrice a day for effective results.
2. Ginger
Ginger is the best medicine used for treatment of indigestion. It is considered to be a traditional cure for gastric trouble. To prevent gas and indigestion, one should regularly chew fresh garlic piece after having a meal.
If you do not want to chew it raw, add some dry pieces of garlic during the preparation of food. Drinking ginger tea is also effective in curing gas. Boil some ginger in hot water and strain it. Drink the tea twice or thrice a day.
Ginger oil is also used for getting relief from gas. Put 2-3 drops of ginger oil on the stomach and rub it thoroughly.
3. Black Pepper
Black pepper is considered to be best ayurvedic medicine for healing acidity and indigestion. Its properties help in increasing the hydrochloric acid release in the stomach. Take powdered pepper with jaggery to cure gastric irritation.
Take black pepper, ginger powder, coriander seeds, and dried mint leaves in equal quantity. Prepare a mixture after grinding them. Have a teaspoon of the mixture two times in a day.
Pepper can also be used with buttermilk.
4. Caraway Seeds (Kala Jeera)
Caraway seeds tea is used for healing gastric disorder. To prepare tea, add one teaspoon of caraway seeds in one cup of boiling water. Steep it for a few minutes. After steeping, strain the tea and drink it before having lunch or dinner.
Else, chew roasted caraway seeds mixed with rock salt.
5. Buttermilk
Freshly churned buttermilk is considered to best remedy for curing indigestion. It not only helps in healing gastric problem, but also keeps you fit and healthy. Add roasted powdered cumin seeds and a pinch of salt in buttermilk.
6. Cloves
Eat few pieces of cloves directly to get relief from gas pain. If chewing cloves tastes too pungent, use clove oil. It is one of the useful home remedy for bloating. It easily reduces gas pain in the stomach.
7. Fennel (Saunf)
Fennel is one of the common ingredients available in the kitchen. Chew fennel seeds to get instant relief in gas pain. Alternatively, fennel tea can also be used. Boil some water. Add tea leaves and crushed fennel seeds in it. Let it steep for a few minutes. Add jaggery syrup and a quarter cup of milk in it. Drink after straining the tea.
8. Warm Water
Sometimes, due to gas, we feel severe stomach ache and are unable to eat anything. We should drink warm water at regular intervals. This helps in maintaining water levels in the body and getting rid of the gas.
9. Asafoetida (Hing)
Add a pinch of asafoetida in a glass of warm water. Stir it well and drink the solution, three times in a day. Else, make a paste of asafoetida adding little water. Apply it directly on the stomach.
Take a wholly ripe banana, add a little quantity of asafoetida and eat it two times a day.
10. Apple Cider Vinegar
Add 2-3 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in warm water. Allow it to cool down at room temperature. Drink the solution to soothe the stomach-ache, caused due to gas.
Note: Normal vinegar can be used if the apple cider vinegar is not available.
11. Cardamom
Cardamom is a spice used to speed up the digestion process. While cooking vegetable or rice, add cardamom powder.
Chew pods of cardamom 2-3 times a day for removing gas trouble.
Prepare tea of fresh ginger, few pods of cardamom seeds, and a teaspoon of fennel seeds. Drink the warm tea, many times in a day.
12. Lemon And Baking Soda
Take a glass and squeeze juice of one fresh lemon in it. Put some baking soda in it. After adding baking soda to lemon juice, bubbles will start formulating. Add one cup of water with some more baking soda. Stir the solution, until, the baking soda gets dissolved. Drink the solution to get relief.
13. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is one of the essential ingredients to make the food tasty and also useful for medicinal purpose. Add a teaspoon of cinnamon powder in a cup of warm milk. Add some honey and drink it after stirring well.
It can also be used in tea. Add cinnamon powder in boiling water. After steeping for some time, strain the tea. Drink it for healing gastric trouble.
14. Gooseberry (Amla)
Gooseberry is one of the best treatments used for curing several problems related to hair, stomach, heart, skin, etc. Every morning, amla juice should be taken on an empty stomach. It is rich in fibres and Vitamin C, which help in curing the problem of acidity and constipation.
15. Carom Seeds (Ajwain)
Carom seeds are very helpful in curing indigestion, nausea, and gastric trouble. Take a half teaspoon of carom seeds. Crush it in your hand to remove the strong smell. Mix asafoetida and salt. Chew it or swallow it with water.
16. Turmeric Leaves
Turmeric is known for its medicinal properties. Take some turmeric leaves and grind them. Mix them in a glass of milk. Then, drink it. It will alleviate the gastric trouble.
17. Potato Juice
Take some potatoes and grind them. Take out the juice by squeezing the grinded potatoes. Drink the juice before having meals. For better results, drink the juice three times a day.
18. Guava Leaves
Put some guava leaves in water. Allow them to boil in water. After boiling, strain the leaves and drink the water.
19. Brandy
Brandy is also used for healing gastric troubles. Put two teaspoons of brandy in a glass of warm water. Stir it well and drink it before going to sleep.
20. Dill (Lao Coriander) Oil
Dill is a herbal remedy for gas. Add one drop of Dill oil in a teaspoon of honey and gulp it.
Note: Pregnant women are not recommended to use Dill oil.
21. Activated Charcoal
Charcoal is known for drawing excess gas from the intestines of a human body. Take one charcoal tablet before and after having a meal. It is easily available at health food stores.
22. Celery Leaves (Ajmud)
To get relief in gastric pain and irritation, chew some celery leaves.
23. Onion
Extract juice of some onions. Drink the extracted juice to get relief in gastric problems.
24. Herbal Tea
Prepare tea of raspberry, mint, blackberry, and chamomile. Drink this herbal tea to improve the digestion process.
25. Coconut Water
Coconut water possesses a lot of proteins. You should drink coconut water to get relief in gastric troubles. If coconut water is regularly consumed, body becomes rich in proteins.
26. Organic Parsley
Consuming fresh parsley is beneficial for digestion. Either as a dried spice or freshly minced parsley should be added in food. This helps in preventing intestinal gas problem.
27. Colon Cleanse
Perform a colon cleanse for 7 regular days. This will help in removing various health issues, including gastric trouble. After the 7-days colon cleanse, start oxygen colon cleanse, two or three times in a week. This will remove the toxic agents from the body.
28. Dandelion Tea
Take dandelion roots and prepare their tea. This herbal tea helps in healing the problem of gas.
Dandelion can also be used as a spice in meals, which is as effective as tea.
Dandelion can also be used as a spice in meals, which is as effective as tea.
29. Fasting
Our stomach is also a machine. If it is pressurised a lot, it starts to function improperly. So, fasting can be a remedy to provide rest to stomach. Two or three days fasting helps in removing those toxic agents that cause gas and irritation in the stomach.
30. Peppermint
Peppermint tea is helpful in healing stomach gas. Put some peppermint leaves in a cup of boiling water. After boiling properly, strain it. Before drinking this herbal tea, add some honey to it.
Chew fresh peppermint leaves for getting instant relief from gas. Alternatively, add 2-3 drops of peppermint oil in half cup of cool water. Drink this water two or three times a day.
Homeopathic Remedies for Gas
Other than these simple and quick home remedies, severe gas pain can also be relieved by some the following homeopathic remedies:
- Pulsatilla : It is used when indigestion is at its worst and is caused by consuming fatty and rich foods.
- Nux Vomica : It is used when one suffers with stomach pain and the urge to vomit. It works best for those, who are overindulged in alcohol, stimulants and food.
- Natrum phosphoricum : It is used when a person suffers from indigestion due to consumption of a lot of dairy products or sugar.
- Natrum carbonicum : It is used for healing digestive problems.
- Colocynthis : It is used for healing cramping pain in the stomach.
- Bryonia : A remedy for heavy stomach.
- Arsenicum album : It is used when stomach and oesophagus are troubled with restless pain.
- Carbo vegetabilis : It is used when digestion is too slow and incomplete.
Prevention Measures
Here are some preventive measures that one should follow to shun gastric troubles:
- Wear loose clothes.
- Do regular exercises to shun stomach gas.
- Avoid spicy food.
- Don’t use a straw to have drinks as it may make you gulp down more air.
- Eat light and healthy meals.
- Avoid anxiety, depression, and stress. Stay calm.
- Avoid dairy and poultry products.
- Don’t drink aerated drinks.
- After having meal, don’t sleep. Instead, go for a walk.
- Chew your food properly.
- Drink a lot of water to avoid health problems.
