Medical Keywords - Everything you need to know about health.

Natural Herbal Remedies to Soothe Stomach Problems

Herbal remedies are ideal for soothing stomach problems because they are effective enough to bring relief, but gentle enough to treat even the most sensitive stomachs. One of the most commonly used herbs for treating stomach problems is fresh ginger. Fresh ginger is one of the most well regarded herbs used to treat stomach ailments. Traditional herbalists recommend keeping fresh ginger on hand for just such an occasion. Fresh ginger can be used to create ginger tinctures that can be taken to treat nearly any kind of stomach nausea. In fact, a recent German medical journal noted that ginger could even be used to treat pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting. Preparing fresh ginger to treat nausea or other stomach problems is easy enough.

One easy way to prepare a natural herbal remedy for upset stomachs is to slice a piece of fresh ginger into three or four pieces and then allow them to steep in mint tea. Drink the ginger and mint tea as needed. Another easy way to prepare the tea is to prepare a ginger tincture and that contains at least 3,000 mg of fresh ginger extract. Then take up to three dropperfuls of ginger extract tincture each day as needed.

For milder cases of stomach irritation, peppermint is a popular herb to use in herbal remedies. Peppermint is a carminative herb that helps relax the muscles of the digestive tract. Peppermint has a good reputation for helping ease flatulence and any kind of irritation that may occur on the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. However, peppermint should be avoided if the patient has any GERD, gallbladder or liver problems. To ease flatulence or other stomach irritations, many naturopaths recommend taking a peppermint tea after meals.

Another popular herb that can be used to ease the symptoms of bloating, flatulence or other stomach discomforts is fennel. Fennel is also a carminative herb that can help relax the muscles of the digestive tract. To ease common stomach complaints, many naturopaths recommend chewing on half a teaspoon of fennel seeds after heavy meals. A recent laboratory study showed that fennel helps inhibit the twitch response that often occurs in muscle tissue. Chamomile can also be taken for minor stomach irritations.

Another popular herb used to treat stomach problems is licorice. Licorice has been shown to be particularly effective in soothing inflamed mucous lining of the gastrointestinal trace and it is known to help loosen the stools. Traditionally, licorice has been used to soothe coughs and sore throats, but it can also be effectively used to help ease the symptoms of stomach irritation. Ancient Chinese and Western herbalists have also used licorice to treat all different kinds of stomach ailments, ulcers, and even respiratory problems. It is estimated that licorice is still present in about one-third of all Chinese herbal remedies.

Finally, garlic-infused olive oil can also be used to treat stomach problems. To prepare this herbal remedy, simply steep half a clove of fresh garlic in one tablespoon of olive oil. Ideally, the garlic clove should be steeped for several hours.

You can take this herbal remedy to help treat the symptoms of stomach irritation, especially in cases where bacteria are thought to be present. Garlic contains a powerful compound known as allicin that is believed to be effective against bacteria. This is one herbal remedy that can be both effective and delicious.