How To Combat Flatulence With 5 Natural Remedies

The carminative properties of some natural ingredients could help both prevent and alleviate the discomfort caused by the accumulation of gases and avoid flatulence. Discover them.

Fighting flatulence is the goal of many people who suffer from this discomfort. The famous (and feared) flatulence are gases that form in the intestine, generally due to indigestion and food intolerances, although they also occur with some digestive diseases.

These are made up of hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane particles. The latter is responsible for the smell that characterizes them. Although they do not represent a serious health problem, their appearance usually causes abdominal inflammation, stomach upset and, due to their bad smell, social stress.

The good news is that there are several remedies of natural origin that, due to their properties, would promote their elimination before they cause more discomfort. In this article, you will discover some natural options that could help you combat flatulence.

Home remedies to combat flatulence

The National Library of Medicine of the United States recommends chewing well and slowly, not drinking soda and avoiding foods rich in carbohydrates that are difficult to digest (such as fructose), as well as lactose and legumes to minimize the appearance of gas.

Faced with the presence of bloody or fetid stools, stomach or rectal pain, nausea or vomiting, fever or unexplained weight loss, it is advisable to consult a doctor for a timely diagnosis and treatment.

If you don’t suffer from any of these symptoms, you could test whether the remedies listed below can help improve the discomfort. Keep in mind some of them do not have scientific endorsement.

1. Apple cider vinegar and honey

Although no scientific studies have been found to prove its supposed effects, it is believed that apple cider vinegar combined with honey would help regulate the activity of the intestinal flora; in this way, gas formation and digestive problems would be reduced.

These ingredients would regulate the pH of the stomach and stimulate the intestinal movement to achieve a correct elimination of waste.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar (20 ml).
• 1 tablespoon of honey (25 g).
• 1 glass of warm water (200 ml).

Preparation

• Dilute the vinegar and honey in a glass of warm water.

Consumption mode

• Drink the drink on an empty stomach or after eating too copious dishes.

2. Lemon and baking soda

Different studies have indicated that both lemon and sodium bicarbonate act as antacids in the digestive system, which would be decisive to combat flatulence.

Its alkaline effects would neutralize the negative action of stomach acids and thus avoid symptoms such as pain and inflammation, in addition, of course, to foul gases.

Ingredients

• The juice of ½ lemon.

• 1 teaspoon of baking soda (5 g).
• 1 glass of water (200 ml).

Preparation

• Squeeze the juice of half a lemon and mix it in a glass of water with the baking soda.
• Let the effervescent effect pass and consume it.

Consumption mode

• Drink the drink after each main meal.
• Avoid taking it in excess, as it could cause counterproductive effects.

3. Cinnamon infusion

Research published in The Sevier in 2012 noted that cinnamon has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that would benefit digestive health. In fact, it is believed that its consumption would contribute to the digestion of food, facilitating better digestion and, therefore, less gas formation.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon (5 g).

• 1 cup of water (250 ml).

Preparation

• Heat a cup of water and, when it boils, remove it from the heat and add the cinnamon.
• Let it sit for 15 minutes and strain it.

Consumption mode

• Take the infusion when flatulence strikes you.
• Avoid drinking more than 3 cups a day.

4. Cardamom infusion

An article titled Fire in the Gut INutritional Modulation of IBS from the University of Kansas indicates that cardamom has carminative and anti-inflammatory properties that would facilitate digestion and could help prevent flatulence.

Its active compounds would help reduce gas formation in the intestine and, in turn, promote the elimination of retained waste.

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon of cardamom (2 g).
• 1 cup of water (250 ml).

Preparation

• Add the cardamom to a cup of boiling water, cover and let it sit for 15 minutes.
• Then, filter the drink through a strainer and drink it.

Consumption mode

• Take the infusion in sips every time you have gas and feel bloating.
• Optionally, you can consume this infusion as a preventive before each main meal.

5. Boldo water

Boldo is a digestive and antioxidant plant that, due to its carminative power, would serve to combat flatulence and imbalances in the bacterial flora of the intestine. In fact, many people consume it after meals to improve digestive processes, since it is attributed properties that would act in the decomposition of some waste substances.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of boldo leaves (10 g).
• 1 cup of water (250 ml).

Preparation

• Pour the boldo leaves into a cup of boiling water, cover and let it steep for 15 minutes.

• Then, filter the liquid through a strainer and serve it.

Consumption mode

• Take a cup of boldo infusion in the middle of the morning and, in case of inflammation and gas, repeat its consumption after each main meal.

How to act to combat flatulence

The first step to combat flatulence is to make some modifications at the diet level and, also, it is usually recommended to increase physical exercise.

Do you feel heavy and food causes you flatulence? You can try any of the mentioned remedies. However, if the gas continues or you have more symptoms, see your doctor for an examination and proper diagnosis and treatment. Be aware that gas can be a sign of other illnesses, such as irritable bowel syndrome.