8 Natural Ways to Treat Indigestion and Digestive Issues

Digestive issues and indigestion can be hard to treat since you can’t just give yourself an over-the-counter medication to make it all go away. If you are looking for something that won’t harm your body and will work naturally with your body, check out these eight natural ways to treat indigestion and digestive issues so you can get back to living life the way you want to.

1) Stay Hydrated

Drinking enough water is important for proper digestion, as it helps maintain a neutral balance of acidity in your stomach.

You should aim to drink about two litres of water per day. Water doesn’t just keep you hydrated but it also helps to flush out toxins and cleanse your body.

The colour of your urine can tell you a lot about how well you’re doing on that front. Urine is usually light yellow or clear, but if it starts becoming darker than usual, especially if accompanied by a stronger smell than normal, consider that a warning sign that you need more liquids (and possibly fruits or vegetables) in your diet. Studies have shown that eating foods rich in water like cucumbers can help combat indigestion as well.

They contain an enzyme called cucurbitacin E which breaks down proteins found in food. This process produces excess gas which can cause bloating and discomfort when consumed in large quantities.

Cucumber contains less of these enzymes so they won’t cause you any trouble at all. Cucumber slices are a great addition to sandwiches or salads, and they taste great when dipped into hummus.

2) Prebiotics for Gut Health

Prebiotics are the non-digestible fibre that helps nourish good bacteria in your gut, which can help decrease symptoms of indigestion.

In addition to prebiotics, it’s important to make sure you’re consuming enough healthy probiotic foods as well.

Popular probiotic foods include sauerkraut, kimchi, miso paste, yoghurt with live cultures and kefir. You should also add prebiotic foods like bananas or apples for snacks or at meals. However, be careful not to overdo it on prebiotics because too much fibre may cause bloating.

3) Probiotics for Gut Health

Poor gut health can wreak havoc on your digestive system, but there’s a relatively easy fix for it: probiotics.

These good bacteria interact with your immune system and help keep things in check so that you can maintain a healthy gut. Eat more yoghurt or add kefir to smoothies.

You can also take a supplement; just make sure you get one that has at least 3 billion CFUs (colony-forming units) in every dose.

Drinks with 0% fat, like seltzer water, are another good way to help hydrate yourself while also keeping an eye on calories.

4) Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is often praised for its digestive-aiding benefits, due to its high level of acetic acid.

The highly acidic nature of ACV makes it a good choice for soothing acid reflux by neutralizing stomach acids. Simply drink one tablespoon before each meal to soothe indigestion.

If you find that you are experiencing heartburn after drinking ACV, dilute it with water until your symptoms pass. This is also a good idea if you experience an excess amount of gas or bloating after drinking apple cider vinegar. These symptoms can occur if you’re sensitive to certain sugars in raw apples, which are commonly used in making ACV.

5) Aloe Vera Juice

When it comes to treating indigestion naturally, many people turn to aloe vera juice. Aloe vera juice provides quick relief of digestive issues including stomach pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, heartburn and more.

To make a smoothie using aloe vera juice:

Blend 3 tablespoons of aloe vera liquid with an equal amount of coconut water or kefir.
Add in some frozen fruit (blueberries are great for digestion) along with fresh or frozen leafy greens (spinach or kale).
You can also add in a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract for added flavour if you like.

6) Herbal Teas

Many people turn to herbal teas when they’re suffering from digestive issues. Peppermint, ginger, chamomile, rosemary, licorice root are just a few of your options.

The great thing about most herbal teas is that you can brew them at home for next to nothing and their benefits may outweigh those of even some over-the-counter remedies.

For example, peppermint tea has been shown in scientific studies to reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) more effectively than drugs.

And unlike many OTC medications, there’s no risk of adverse side effects with herbal teas. In fact, there’s little risk involved with any kind of natural remedy. As long as you don’t have allergies or sensitivities to certain ingredients, all it takes is a little research to find out if something will work for you.

7) Peppermint Leaves

Fresh peppermint leaves make a delicious tea that can alleviate indigestion, nausea, vomiting, heartburn and acid reflux.

How to prepare:

Put two tablespoons of fresh peppermint leaves in a cup of boiling water
Allow them to steep for five minutes.
Add honey if you need sweetener.
Steep several cups throughout your day for relief from stomach discomfort.

Peppermint tea is also helpful for naturally calming an upset stomach so you can get some much-needed restful sleep.

8) Ginger Root Tea

Ginger is loaded with antioxidants that boost digestion. In fact, a study in Current Pharmaceutical Design found that ginger prevented changes in cell membranes linked to indigestion.