Abdominal bloating occurs when the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is filled with air or gas. Most people describe bloating as feeling full, tight, or swollen in the abdomen. Your abdomen may also be swollen (distended), hard, and painful. Common symptoms of bloating include stomach pain, discomfort, and gas. You may also burp or belch frequently or have abdominal rumbling or gurgling.
Severe bloating may occur along with other serious symptoms, such as: Blood in your stool, noticeable weight loss, vaginal bleeding (between your periods, or if you are postmenopausal), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn that is getting worse, and fever (due to an infection). There can be a few different reasons for bloating. The main one is when gas builds up in the intestines. Other reasons can be constipation, peptic ulcers, anxiety, smoking, water retention, overeating, anorexia, indigestion, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and menopause. Try passing gas and a bowel movement to help ease bloating.
Here are some simple home remedies to get rid of bloating.
1. Fennel Seeds
Fennel seeds are great for digestive problems, because they fight bacteria and soothe pain, and have carminative and diuretic properties. It can help the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal system relax and reduce gas, bloating, excess water in the body, and stomach cramps. If you tend to bloat regularly, dry-roast the seeds in a frying pan on low-medium heat, stirring gently until you smell the rich aroma. Then, let the seeds cool and keep in a glass jar, and chew and swallow the juice of the seeds after each meal to prevent bloating. Add 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds to 1 cup of water. Boil it for 10 minutes, and then strain it. Drink this tea 2-3 times a day.
2. Ginger
Ginger is a potent digestive aid that has been used to alleviate gas, bloating and stomach pains for centuries. It naturally stimulates the body’s digestive enzymes, and is an anti-inflammatory, helping to relieve inflammation and protect the stomach lining. It has sharp ingredients like gingerols and shogaols that help to cut swelling in the intestines and loosen the intestinal muscles. Cut a few very thin slices of ginger and add them in boiling water for 10 minutes. Then strain it, and add honey and a little lemon juice in it. Drink this tea up to 3 times a day. You can also chew a few pieces of ginger as well to get rid of bloating. Another option for getting rid of bloating is to take powdered ginger root as a supplement daily.
3. Peppermint
Peppermint is a popular herb for easing digestive issues because it contains the active ingredients menthol and menthone, which have antispasmodic and digestive properties. Peppermint also stimulates the secretion of gastric juices and bile to help expel gas, making it a perfect method to beat the bloat fast. There are two ways to use peppermint to lessen bloating. You can chew on peppermint leaves or put a peppermint tea bag in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes and drink it 2-3 times a day.
4. Caraway
Caraway seeds help good bacteria properly digest the food. It also helps to relax the intestinal tract so you can pass gas. Caraway seeds have been used for centuries as an herbal beverage to relieve pain and discomfort associated with intestinal gas and bloating. Carvol and carvene, two chemicals found in caraway seeds, help soothe the muscles and forces the gas out, to help stomach bloating right away. If your stomach gets bloated a lot, chew a pinch of caraway seeds few times throughout the day. You can also make caraway tea by mixing 1 teaspoon of crushed caraway per cup of hot water. Allow 10 minutes to steep. Do not boil the tea, otherwise it will damage the essential oils in caraway seeds.
Drink this tea 2-3 times a day.
5. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea helps to settle an upset stomach. Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties, and it even reduces gas, calms the stomach, and aids in moving food through the intestines. It can also help with heartburn. Put a chamomile tea bag in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes. Now add honey and a little lemon juice in it, and drink it 2-3 times a day.
6. Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a superfood in curing bloating. It’s a rich source of water (around 90 percent) and low in sugar, fat-free, high in soluble fiber, and packed with potassium. It will reduce bloating while helping digestion. Pumpkin can be incorporated into a healthy diet in a number of ways. Pumpkin can be served baked, boiled, steamed or roasted. Stir a spoonful of canned, unsalted pumpkin into soup for extra flavor and a nutritional boost.
7. Warm Lemon Water
Hot lemon water wakes up the digestive system. The reasoning behind this is that lemons are a gentle laxative and diuretic when combined with warm water, so it helps to reduce salt and water retention in the body. Lemon water may help as a bloating remedy because lemon juice contains potassium. Lemon juice helps to loosen the toxins floating around in your GI tract, relieve the painful symptoms that accompany indigestion, and even reduce the risk of burping and bloating resulting from excess gas production in your gut. Lemons also have an acid which helps break down food.
8. Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal can be very effective at stopping bloating, absorbing excessive gas and removing toxins and other undesirable compounds in your gastrointestinal tract. It is, however, necessary to make sure you take this special kind of carbon in a particular way and at certain times for maximum benefit. They work by absorbing excess gas from within your gut to relieve flatulence and feelings of fullness. Activated charcoal, whether as a tablet, capsule or powder, should always be taken on an empty stomach with a large glass of water. The water will help move it from the stomach into the intestines where it can start doing its best work to reduce belly bloat and prevent flatulence. Ask your doctor to find out the amount you should be taking.
9. Eat More Potassium
Eating potassium is a great bloating remedy, as potassium helps your kidneys flush out excess salt and helps your body maintain fluid balance. Bananas, leafy greens, legumes, and avocados are excellent sources of potassium.
10. Psyllium
If you’re bloated because of constipation, psyllium may be able to help relieve bloating quickly. Psyllium is an all-natural plant-based laxative found in some over-the-counter medications. Psyllium is particularly effective because the soluble fiber it contains forms a thick gel when it comes into contact with fluids, which in turn can help regulate your digestive system and make yourself not bloated.
Try these recipes and let us know if you receive relief or not by visiting our comment section.