Who has not suffered from stomach pain at some time? The range of related ills is wide: heavy digestion after a large meal, heartburn, stomach irritation, discomfort, gas and a long etcetera. What remedies do you resort to in those cases?
Here is a list for you to stock your cupboard with an assortment of the most effective infusions for stomach pain.
Compilation of the best infusions for stomach pain
Let’s start with the classic. The infusions that we share with you below are popularly well known and widely used as a remedy for various problems related to stomach pain.
In addition, it is easy to get most of them in your favorite supermarket or in your trusted herbalist. If you feel like trying something more sophisticated, we have our own blend of the herbs we find most effective. Contains sencha green tea, star anise, chamomile, ginger, mint and licorice.
Chamomile infusion
Chamomile is perhaps the best known of the infusions for stomach pain. It effective for the treatment of mild gastrointestinal discomfort, such as bloating and mild cramps.
In this way, chamomile would be especially useful to calm the stomach, dissipate gas and calm the muscles so that they move food through the intestines. On the other hand, some research suggests that it might have an anti-ulcerogenic effect. However, more studies are needed in this regard.
In addition, chamomile is also often used against menstrual cramps and difficulties in falling asleep.
If chamomile works for you, we recommend that you try this combination that adds green tea, anise and fennel. All of them effective to treat stomach pain. It is the hand of a saint.
Rooibos
The benefits of rooibos include antispasmodic effects that can help us prevent stomach pains and calm it when necessary.
This study showed how components of rooibos such as quercetin, orientin and vitexin help relax the digestive system and relieve discomfort. Rooibos tannins, on the other hand, would help curb diarrhea.
Ginger infusion
Ginger has been used since time immemorial to relieve all kinds of stomach ailments.
Ginger has beneficial effects on digestion and promotes circulation. Several traditional medicines use it to solve digestive problems and flatulence. Traditional Indian medicine (Ayurvevic medicine) often recommends this tea during the time of morning sickness. This would be due to the presence of gingerols, which would help speed up gastric emptying.
Currently, these effects have been studied, although conclusive evidence has not yet been obtained. A study looked at its ability to control morning sickness and sickness from chemotherapy treatments.
Mint infusion
Peppermint tea is famous for its properties to relieve stomach discomfort, and is even recommended to improve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. It is also a good remedy to ease the heaviness after a heavy meal and mitigate gas production.
Different laboratory and animal studies have indicated that the flavonoids present in mint may help inhibit the effect of mast cells, cells of the immune system that are abundant in the intestine and may contribute to bloating and gas formation.
Fennel infusion
Its diuretic and carminative properties can make it a good option to fight against gases. Scientific studies have determined that the infusion of fennel can stimulate the segregation of gastric flows and reduce stomach pain thanks to its enthyspasmodic properties and to treat gases.
Also, it could be a good option to avoid constipation. One study showed that those who drank this tea regularly had better bowel movements than the control group.
By the way, traditional Chinese medicine recommends the use of fennel to treat indigestion, gastroenteritis, and even hernias.
Liquorice infusion
The taste of licorice is one of those that you love or hate, there is no middle ground. This plant was already used in ancient Egypt and traditional Chinese medicine recommends it to relieve the stomach and to recover its lining.
The main cause of the appearance of peptic ulcers is the bacteria Helicobacter pylori. In fact, the usual treatment against these is to eradicate the bacterial infection.
A research team studied the anti-inflammatory properties of licorice components to fight infections from this bacterium and determined that it could be part of a combination treatment to treat this ailment.
Basil infusion
Common basil (the most common in your supermarket), Ocimum basilicum, offers benefits to promote digestion, prevent gastric spasms and promote the production of gastrointestinal flow. Basil’s antibacterial and antifungal properties may make it a good choice for fighting bacteria that cause diarrhea, constipation, and gas.
There is a particularly interesting variety known as holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) or tulsi, which is widely used as a medicinal infusion in Ayurvedic medicine.
Studies on it show its ability to reduce acidity and promote the recovery of stomach flora. It may also have ulcer-busting effects.
Anise infusion
A popular infusion on supermarket shelves is the combination of mint with anise. In addition to pairing two delicious flavors, it combines the properties of two plants, achieving one of the most effective infusions for stomach pain.
Anise infusion is a traditional natural remedy that is often highly recommended by grandmothers to treat everything from gas and indigestion to colds. Its components could help alleviate these symptoms, although more studies are necessary.
Rosemary infusion
Rosemary is a plant that, you can collect yourself. The best time to do it is during the spring, when it is in bloom. Tradition says that the most beneficial rosemary is harvested during Holy Week.
Rosemary has traditionally been used as a disinfectant. If your stomach pain is caused by some food that was not in good condition, an infusion of rosemary could help you.
From a scientific perspective, rosemary has been studied for its gastroprotective properties. At the moment there are only studies on animals, but the results compare the efficacy of rosemary with those obtained through a specific medication for these cases such as Omeprazole.
Boldo infusion
Bile is an essential fluid for digestion, it is secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder.
Among the many benefits of boldo, its properties have been described to stimulate bile secretion. On the other hand, it contains a compound called boldine with protective effects on the digestive system.
A good infusion of boldo is the hand of saint to relieve heavy digestion, reflux and heartburn.
Cinnamon infusion
Another infusion that affects the formation of gastric secretions necessary for proper digestion is cinnamon. In this way, cinnamon would be effective in relieving heavy digestion.
Thyme infusion
Thyme is one of those plants that you should always have a little at home for when you need it.
One of its most important uses is to treat digestive conditions. It has anti-inflammatory properties that serve to calm gastritis and promote the expulsion of gases. It is also a good natural disinfectant, so if you think that the cause of your discomfort is that you have eaten something bad, take an infusion of thyme.
laurel infusion
Laurel is another kitchen classic that you may not have known you could take advantage of for your health.
Bay leaf tea has traditionally been used to treat indigestion, nausea, and heartburn. Recent studies have corroborated its properties.
Hyssop infusion
Hyssop is probably less well known in this area but highly valued in traditional medicine. Its aromatic properties stand out for being used to treat disorders of the respiratory system, but it also has uses related to improving digestion.
If your digestion is slow or heavy, drink a cup a while before you start eating to promote the secretion of gastric juices.
Oregano infusion
Thymol, a substance present in oregano, gives this infusion properties to improve difficult digestion. In addition, it has antimicrobial properties that would make it useful to combat diarrhea due to food poisoning.
Common problems related to stomach pain
The stomach is the organ in charge of storing food, mixing it with gastric acids, starting protein digestion and sending the mixture to the small intestine.
The most common problems related to stomach pain are usually indigestion (or heaviness in the stomach) and heartburn (stomach acids go up into the esophagus, generating a burning sensation). These occur when, for some reason, the normal stomach process is affected. Meals that are too abundant, indigestible or consumed too quickly are usually negative factors for good digestion.
Now, there are also other ailments related to the stomach and the general digestive process, such as gas, vomiting, diarrhea or nausea. These can be treated, in principle, naturally with herbal infusions.
Of course, if any of these problems are common or persist, you should see your doctor. They may be symptoms of a larger problem.
Infusions that will relieve your stomach
As you can see, there are many plants that can offer you a little help to solve your discomfort with a good infusion for stomach pain.
If you are going through heavy digestion, if you suffer from gas, if you have nausea or heartburn… There is a remedy for each problem.
By the way, you have to remember that these infusions for stomach pain can help you relieve certain discomforts, but do not hesitate to contact your doctor if after a couple of days, the symptoms do not improve. Use your common sense.