Passing gas is a fact of life. It is called flatulence, or flatus, when it is in excess. How does gas happen? It begins from the food we eat and the way in which we eat it. Our stomach acids break down the food we eat into elements some of which get absorbed while others are eliminated. The breakdown of food causes gas that gets expelled from the body and we the person has passed gas. Also, while we swallow food, we also swallow some air with it.
If you gobble down your food fast, you are eating air too! When you sip your drink, you are swallowing air along with it. Bacterial action in your intestines also produces gas. You are supposed to be having flatulence when abnormal excess gas formation is there. It may be accompanied by a pain and swelling in the abdomen. Common reasons for flatulence include overeating, chewing the food incorrectly, lactose intolerance and stress. Allergies to some medications may also cause flatulence. It is better to avoid medications for flatulence. Instead, opt for these home remedies which will provide complete relief.
11 Home Remedies For Flatulence
Ginger And Lime
Ginger is good for your stomach as it reduces acid formation. Lime juice aids digestion so that less harmful gases are produced in the stomach.
Grate some ginger and add it to a teaspoon of lime juice. Have this mixture immediately after eating. This will provide much relief from flatulence.
Peppermint
Peppermint is a very effective home remedy for flatulence. Peppermint contains menthol which is very cooling and soothing to the stomach.
It relaxes the abdominal muscles and intestines, which helps gas to pass naturally without any pain. Chew on some peppermint leaves two to three times a day.
Honey
Honey has antibacterial properties and is used to provide relief from many conditions. Add a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon powder to a tablespoon of honey.
Have this mixture twice a day after meals in order to get the best benefits. This will help reduce the flatulence and provide relief from pain in the abdomen.
Asafoetida
Asafoetida is good for your stomach. It has been used since ages to solve stomach problems and should be a must in every household kitchen. Take a cup of warm water. Add a pinch of asafoetida and a tablespoon of lemon juice to it.
This mixture is very helpful in aiding digestion, allowing less formation of gas. Take this mixture on an empty stomach every morning to cur flatulence completely.
Fennel Seeds
Chewing on some fennel seeds relaxes muscle spasms in the digestive tract. This allows the gas to dissipate easily.
Take around half a teaspoon of fennel seeds and chew them slowly. You can also make a powder, mix it with some honey, and then consume this twice a day. You will notice a remarkable change in the flatulence level.
Cardamom And Pepper
Cardamom and pepper aid in digestion and help reduce the stomach acid levels. Take a teaspoon green cardamom seeds and pepper each. Grind these together into a fine powder.
Add this mixture to little warm water and have an hour after a meal. You will find the symptoms of flatulence disappearing with regular consumption of this mixture.
Eat Smaller Meals
Eat smaller meals at regular intervals, instead of consuming a large meal. This puts less pressure on your digestive system and avoids the build-up of excess gas. Instead of three large meals a day, divide your diet into 5-6 small meals a day. Stick to this routine and you are sure to notice an improvement in the flatulence.
Chew Food Correctly
It is very important that you chew your food well before swallowing it. Chewing the food slowly and steadily is very essential. Do not gulp down your food. When the food is well-masticated, it mixes well with the saliva in the mouth.
Our saliva contains helpful enzymes that help break down the food well in the stomach. Well-chewed food puts less stress on the digestive system, and is broken down easily while releasing less harmful gases.
Also Read
Herbal Remedies For Gas
Natural Cure For Flatulence
Home Remedies For Relief For Flatulence
Foods To Avoid
Try to identify foods that cause problems. If you try to observe properly, you will be able to notice the kind of foods that increase your flatulence. Cut down on the consumption of such food. Some types of food cause more gas formation and increase flatulence. Beans, broccoli, onions, cabbage, radishes and sprouts are some of the foods that cause gas formation in most people.
Fatty and oily food is hard to break down and releases harmful gas in the stomach. People with lactose intolerance should avoid having milk and milk products. If you have flatulence, avoid such food completely. Carbonated drinks and alcohol is not good for your stomach if you have a problem of flatulence. Avoid these completely. Avoid eating spicy and raw food.
Exercises To Do
Exercising regularly is essential for getting rid of flatulence. Take regular walks in the morning and evening. Walking strengthens the intestinal muscles and helps in regularizing bowel movements. When your bowel movements are regular, the levels of gas producing bacteria are low. Hence, it results in lowering the flatulence.
A sedentary lifestyle also contributes to flatulence. So keep yourself active throughout the day. Try this simple exercise to reduce the gas pressure in your abdomen. Lie on the back and bend your knees. Raise each knee towards your chest alternatively. Do this a few times every day. This gives relief from flatulence. Stretching exercises such as yoga or Pilates are also helpful in releasing the trapped air.
Reduce Stress And Anxiety
Too much of stress affects our nervous and digestive system adversely. There is more acid formation in the stomach, the food doesn’t digest easily, and this leads to more gas formation. Avoid stressful situations as far as possible. Also, learn to deal with stress positively with the help of stress management techniques.
The amount of gas released varies from person to person. But, if you notice it is becoming a little embarrassing for you, and it is also accompanied by pain in the abdomen, it’s time you took some action and tried some of these home remedies to get rid of the flatulence.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.