November 14, 2007

Natural Cures for Indigestion, Heartburn, and Nausea

Tip! Stress Reduction�stress plays a major role in experiencing heartburn. Many people experience their first heartburn symptoms during particularly stressful periods of their lives.

When I think of indigestion, heartburn and nausea, the popular ad campaign for Pepto Bismol with the dancing symptoms starts playing in my head. Then the pink chalky residue comes to mind, ew. So what is a natural health girl to do when she has a stomach ache? Consult the herbalists and alternative medicine gurus, of course.

The main symptoms of indigestion include abdominal pain, a burning feeling in the upper abdomen, nausea, heartburn, bloating, belching, vomiting and flatulence. Sounds like a good time, eh? Please do consult with your alternative medicine practitioner if you have a chronic problem, but if it is just the occasional malady, here are a few natural remedies that may help:

Indigestion Prevention - Drink a mixture of one teaspoon ginger and two tablespoons baking soda in cold water before eating to avoid indigestion altogether.

Tip! Over eating is a no go zone if heartburn plays are part in your life on a weekly basis. Cut down to smaller meals and be careful not to eat close to bedtime.

Bananas - Ripe bananas are actually natural antacids that help to soothe the lining of your stomach. I guess that is why pediatricians often recommend them when the little ones are not feeling well.

Cider Vinegar or Lemon Juice - Add either of these to hot water and drink to alkalize the acid in your stomach if you do not have a banana handy.

Tea - The following teas are excellent for indigestion: ginger, peppermint, fennel, lemon balm, cinnamon, slippery elm powder.

Why water=bad with a meal - Yes, the glass is on the table at dinner, but you shouldn’t drink while eating according to experts. Water can dilute the gastric acid in your stomach which causes indigestion.

Tip! Food and drink intake is often associated with heartburn. Identifying what types of food or drink seem to correlate with an attack is important.

Victoria Jerman Dravneek, a.k.a. “The Office Coach” began her corporate career as an Administrative Assistant for children’s book publisher, Scholastic Inc. in 1994. Within six years, she was the Vice President of the NYC-based web developer Affinity Online. She is Director of Editorial and Marketing on Modern Sage, a Women’s Natural Health Magazine.

Looking for more articles by Victoria? Visit her blog at Fresh Contents.Com now, where she is authoring more articles like this.

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