What are the Most Effective Stomach Bloating Cures
Abdominal bloating is caused by a number of factors, where more often than not it is due to the food we eat, such as fatty or high fiber foods. A combination of foods could also be to blame. Ones which contain high levels of salt or starch, or acidic drinks like coffee or soda's are typical causes of a bloated abdomen, and the associated discomfort. High salt content foods are typically the ones which are processed, and found in packets and tins. The salt attracts the water, so the water makes you look and feel bloated. Fatty foods such as full fat dairy products and bacon. Starch, or high carbohydrate content food like pasta, potatoes, bread and pastries really can cause problems. Before we talk about stomach bloating cures, it is important to first figure out and understand the causes of a bloated stomach, which you can find out here. Once you have discovered the root cause of your problem, it is a whole lot simpler to decided on a course of action to cure your bloated stomach.
Related Symptoms of a Bloated Abdomen
When you get that huge belly, you can bet that you're going to be feeling a huge amount of discomfort, if not pains in your abdomen. This is usually gas, which has fermented and built up in your digestive tract, or worse, it is due to constipation symptoms.
If you are unsure of your symptoms, or if they have lasted a long and uncomfortable time, your best option is to consult your doctor for advice on how to treat them.
Herbal Bloating Cures
If your bloating, flatulence or constipation problem is not completely serious, but want to find out what is causing your condition or symptoms, then I think (as with any minor health related problem) that finding a natural cure for your predicament is always the best choice.
Far too many people rely on 'over the counter medicines' for treatments and cures of abdominal bloating (and the related problems that come along with it). In fact, the pharmaceutical treatments for gas could actually make the smelly problem worse! So I won't be discussing them today.
What is the Root Cause of Your Bloated Stomach?
So first, find out what the root cause of your stomach bloating problems are by a process of elimination. Then you can work on finding a natural cure. My recommendation is to try these herbal remedies first.
Herbs have been well known for many centuries to help with absorption of foods in the stomach and relieve painful cramps in the digestive system.
Fennel - Fennel is a natural digestive remedy, which will aid your digestion by relaxing the muscle spasms of digestive tract, with its carminative properties. It will also help to relieve abdominal gas, constipation and indigestion, thus reducing abdominal stress and pain.
You can add this to foods to make beautiful tasting recipes, or you can make a herbal tea by using it with peppermint oil. But medical suggestions say not to take this more than four times a day, and no longer than fourteen days at a time. I dislike the taste of fennel (it's like aniseed), but since discovering this information - I'm adding it to my own diet in one way or another. I'll let you know how I get on.
Ginger - Without doubt, ginger is one of my favorite herbs which I add to as many meals as I can. As it happens, it is also one of the oldest natural digestive aids we know of, being used in ancient China for over two thousand years. It has been used there to treat stomach complaints, nausea and help sooth diarrhea symptoms, as well as to treat heart conditions and arthritis.
In China, and in many other countries around the world, Ginger is also used to treat common colds and flu symptoms, and with menstrual cramps in women.
Herbal teas, in particular chamomile tea, helps to relax the gastrointestinal system and is recommended to be taken right before heading off to bed or directly after eating.
Turmeric - As with ginger, I love the flavor of turmeric in my food. My only issue with it is that I tend to eat too many Indian style curries (spicier the better!), which do have a detrimental effect on my stomach.
Fortunately, since I reached 'threshold' with flatulence embarrassments and a puffy tummy, I now know only add it to my food in small quantities. So now I have no more problems!
How does turmeric help? It has a soothing and guarding effect on the stomach and colon - particularly from alcohol and some foods. Turmeric also relieves distension and helps to dispel gas from your intestinal tract, and is full of natural healing properties for the whole body.
Traditional Indian Medicine
In fact, it is well known in traditional Indian medicine (Ayurvedic medicine) as one of the bodies natural cleansers, and recent studies have highlighted turmerics health benefits and healing properties in the following fatal diseases and conditions (as well as being stomach bloating cures):
Heart disease
Arthritis
Asthma
Alzheimer's
Cancer
Other herbs which have been 'suggested' as abdominal bloating cures are cayenne pepper, lemon balm and valerian (a pink or white flowering perennial plant).