Thursday 27 November 2014

Easy on the Grub: 10 Quick Remedies to Alleviate Holiday Indigestion

Holiday season – that means from Thanksgiving all the way to New Year’s Eve – is the time of giving, sharing and being merry. Ironically, it is also the season where we see inexplicable gluttons can magically ingest practically anything and everything that’s on the table. Not that we encourage you to do so, but indeed, we can’t resist the hearty goodness of home-cooked treats with the family that sometimes, it gets to the point wherein we voraciously devour everything we see succumb to food coma. Or worse, dyspepsia! Or as we say in over-indulging layman’s term, indigestion! Although main symptoms include discomfort, feeling bloated and nausea, dyspepsia can also be accompanied by acid reflux/heartburn.


Just in case you feel like you’ve had too much to gobble and shrug this holiday stretch, here are some quick remedies to alleviate dyspepsia.

Chamomile Tea/Oil

It has been a habit in the UK and even here in the States to consume a cup or two of tea. And clearly, the reason for that is to aid your body for digestion. In addition, chamomile contains natural oil that calms, soothes and balances the acidity level in your stomach (now, that’s hitting 2 turkeys in one stone!). Moreover, tea has less caffeine content unlike coffee, which could worsen stomach cramps and discomfort.

Ginseng

American ginseng has been used in the yesteryears by Native Americans to treat several ailments and discomforts… And indigestion is no exemption to this. The adaptogenic herb contains ginsenosides – the main chemical compound responsible for boosting overall wellness and organ motility. To make a nice, hot cup of ginseng tea, simply boil water along with the ginseng root. Wait for 10-15 minutes until the extract blends in. You may add syrup or sugar if you please, though it is advisable to drink it without any sweetener before and/or after a hearty meal.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Experts say that it is better to treat indigestion with apple cider rather than taking antacids, as this after-effect of over-eating is not caused by sudden gush of acids in your stomach, but rather in dire need of enough acid to facilitate digestion. Moreover, apple cider contains just the right amount of acid to neutralize make up for the loss acid level in the stomach to help improve the digestion process. Just mix ½ a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with a class of warm water and drink it before/after eating, or when aching persists.

Gum

Although chewing gum does not directly heal indigestion, it can pretty much relieve nasty GERD or chronic heartburn. According to the Journal of Dental Research, chewing gum induces increased swallowing frequency due to the stimulation of the salivary glands to produce more saliva. Acid is then diluted and flushed down, thus improving the clearance rate of reflux within the esophagus.

Almonds

There are a lot of articles about heartburn say that eating almonds are food triggers of acid reflux. It may be the other way around, as a lot of home remedy experts are disputing the said notion. To explain, almonds contains oil and potassium – a combination that is perfect to level acidity in the stomach. So, it is advised to munch on a couple of almonds either before of after meals.

Baking Soda

The sodium bicarbonate present in baking soda neutralizes the hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Although it is mainly used for treating heartburn, the use of baking soda to ease the discomfort of indigestion is also practice to assist better digestion, especially fatty food. Mix a half tablespoon of baking soda with a glass of water. Stir well, then let the bubbles settle if it occurs. You may intake this 15 minutes before eating or about 30 minutes after meal.

Ginger

Just like its perennial plant cousin, the American ginseng, ginger is also a potent remedy to combat indigestion. With its anti-inflammatory properties, ginger fortifies the stomach wall and calms down the secretion of acid. In digestion, this plant root facilitates better digestion, especially fatty and greasy substances, as well as food that contains free-radicals.

All in all, to enjoy the holiday season without the hassles of aching tummy, make sure to practice moderation.

Happy holidays, everyone!

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