9 Tips How to Relieve Gas Naturally

Relieve Gas Naturally

While it is the subject of many jokes, gas can be a real issue and for many people. Because of the jokes it is not always the easiest subject to talk about. It might say a bit about my levels of squeamishness but I have never been comfortable with the subject of flatulence while burping has never really bothered me.

While a certain amount of excessive gas is considered a normal part of life, it can occasionally be both extremely painful and very embarrassing. Taken on a daily basis, gas production is a normal bodily function; the average person produces as many as 4 pints of gas daily and they will pass it around 15 times each day.

There are times however when it becomes problematic. If you are either suffering from excessive and embarrassing levels of nasty smelling flatulence or passing wind is excessively constant or painful then you will want to do something about it.

What to Avoid

Eating certain types of food is well known to exacerbate the problem and these foods should be avoided before you go any further. Unfortunately many of the culprits are generally regarded as good for you.

Foods that generates excessive gas includes grassy fruit and vegetables like apples, pears, broccoli, sprouts and onions. Other food that is difficult to digest and leads to excessive gas production are dairy products and bran. Many people are also affected by fizzy drinks and juices so if you are aware of the issue, try to limit your intake of these products.

1. Activated Charcoal

Why activated charcoal helps to ease gas and bloating is difficult to find but there is no doubt that many people are happy with its effects. One theory is that the porous nature of activated charcoal helps trap chemicals and the same reasons it is effective in cases of drug overdose apply to excessive gas. Whatever the mechanics, the most important thing is that it does work and is available in tablet, capsule or powder form. If you are suffering from excessive gas or bloating, activated charcoal could well be your first point of call.

2. Peppermint Tea

A cup of peppermint tea after your meal will help your system to digest the food you have eaten and ease any gas related complaints that you have. The menthol content of peppermint tea has very calming effects on an overactive digestive system and antispasmodic abilities which relax the muscles.

To get the full benefits of your peppermint tea, don’t just seep it for a couple of minutes but let it infuse thoroughly for at least 10 minutes. Covering your mug with a saucer or a plate will keep it nice and warm and make sure that you give the teabag a good squeeze in order to drain all the goodness into your cup.

3. Chamomile tea

Chamomile tea is very well known for its calming effects and if you are not a hug fan of menthol, you can give it a go instead of peppermint tea. Chamomile tea has antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties and is basically known as a well-rounded and beneficial health drink.

Indeed the Germans refer to it as ‘allez zutraut’ which I am reliably informed translates into ‘capable of anything’. While that may be a slightly over the top description, chamomile can certainly help to ease the painful symptoms of gas and bloating.

Like peppermint tea, it is best to let the chamomile teabag seep for a decent length of time and to make sure that you extract its goodness by squeezing the bag thoroughly before you drink it.

4. Caraway

Caraway seeds have traditionally been used to help relieve gas by giving it the push it needs to ease your symptoms. A handful of caraway seeds or a couple of caraway crackers might be just the ticket to release any trapped wind. As ever, there is no guarantee that it will work, but If you suffer from bloating or excessive gas, try munching down on a handful of caraway seeds ever morning until your symptoms have cleared up.

5. Ginger

Like garlic, ginger is one of those incredibly diverse products that nature has provided us with to remedy any number of complaints. Ginger has a well-deserved reputation as a tamer of stomach upsets from stomach flu to indigestion. Ginger can also help you to relieve the symptoms of excessive gas because of its carminative abilities.

There are several ways that you could use ginger to get rid of your gas either by eating it fresh throughout the day or if consuming it fresh is too pungent for you to tolerate, you could make a calming hot tea.

1. Simply clean, and slice up a fresh ginger root into around 5 or 6 thin coin sized piece and put them into a large cup or a mug.
2. Add boiling water, cover the mug for ten minutes then enjoy your drink.
3. If the taste of ginger is still a bit strong, you can add a spoonful of good quality honey to taste.

6. Lemon water

A glass of warm lemon water each morning has a number of health benefits that we have already looked at in some detail here https://healthyfocus.org/the-real-benefits-of-lemon-water/

Lemon water can help relieve the pain from excessive gas by stimulating your body’s production of hydrochloric acid which effectively breaks down the food in your digestive tract. As well as breaking down the food, the water content in the juice helps flush the system and detoxify the body.

Just add the juice of half a medium sized lemon to a warm glass of water and drink it down instead of your morning cup of coffee. Don’t stop when your symptoms have disappeared, lemon water has so many health benefits that you should consider making it a staple part of your daily routine.

7. Anise seed

Anise seed is not everybody’s cup of tea but it does have anti-spasmodic properties and carminative abilities which help your body to expel excessive and unwanted gases. Anise seed can also help to relieve cramping and is known to ease colic in infants.

8. Turmeric

Turmeric is another natural product with more than simple kitchen applications. It has anti-inflammatory abilities and is used for a number of complaints from respiratory issues to digestion.

When it comes to excessive gas, turmeric helps the body to expel it and also improves absorption and the promotion of intestinal flora.