Natural remedies for a gut on the warpath

It isn’t a secret that I have bowels that would challenge the likes of nuclear weaponry. My digestive tract is absolutely fucked, and this isn’t an exaggeration; since I have recovered from my eating disorder, I’ve had more than my share of stomach-related issues, and years later, they’re still with me, making their presence quite known.

I’ve had just about every test under the sun conducted to try and figure out if there’s a rave or some shit occurring in my gut, but I still have yet to receive an actual diagnosis. All I can say is that I’ve been told I have a severe case of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Blaine, too, has problems with his stomach, and while his issues thankfully aren’t quite as severe as mine, he was dealing with a seriously upset tummy the other day. I was trying to figure out what I could give him to help, and after doing a little bit of reading on natural stomach remedies, I thought I would share my learnings with all of you.

This information comes from metrodetroitgastro.com.

Peppermint

The menthol in peppermint leaves has been used as a natural pain reliever to aid stomach problems for centuries. Try drinking it in a tea, chewing on mint gum, or sucking on a peppermint candy.

Apple Cider Vinegar

While not delicious to taste on its own, this pantry staple can be taken by the tablespoon to neutralize an upset stomach. Try mixing it with a cup of water and a teaspoon of honey. The acids inside may help decrease starch digestion, and keep the bacteria in the gut healthy.

Ginger

Ginger has been used since ancient times to help treat stomach aches, and science proves it truly can help. Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory and can be consumed in various forms – candy, capsules, or as tea – but fresh ginger root is best when looking to rid stomach pain.

Chamomile Tea

Long known as a sleepy time remedy, chamomile also can act as an anti-inflammatory, which can help stomach muscles relax and reduce the pain of cramping and spasms. Try it while sitting up before heading to bed.

Drink Water

When in doubt, drink fluids. Throughout the course of the day, we lose water through sweating, breathing, and digesting. It’s crucial to replace the water we lose to prevent dehydration and keep the GI tract running smoothly. Dehydration can cause bloating due to electrolyte imbalances and can halt digestion and cause constipation. Check out these 5 creative ways to increase water intake for some simple ways to up your H2O.

Exercise

Walking, cycling, and gentle stretching yoga with deep breathing can all be helpful when dealing with a stomach ache. Try gently twisting your back while sitting on your feet for starters as this can help relive gas pains.

Apply Heat

Try putting a heating pad or hot towel on your abdomen. The heat can help relax the muscles and relieve cramping. Taking a hot shower or bath with Epsom salts may also help,” the web page explains.

The more you know.

Image from https://images.pexels.com/photos/7298905/pexels-photo-7298905.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&w=1260&h=750&dpr=1


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