When confronted with so much fine food and the fun of Christmas fare, it’s difficult to stop your eyes from being bigger than your belly. If you’ve overindulged, then you’ll definitely benefit from these six home remedies to beat the bloat.
Herbal remedies
Many herbs have carminative properties that can help to relieve the pressure of gas and bloating. One of the best herbs to speed up your digestion is ginger, which you can chew or add to food (or try drinking ginger ale). Another helpful herb is peppermint, which you can drink in tea. Spearmint offers similar relief. Other herbs that can ease the bloat include:
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- chamomile
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- dill
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- fennel
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- basil
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- caraway
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- cumin
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- parsley
You can simply chew on a few caraway seeds, or add fennel, basil, parsley or dill to a salad.
Turmeric tea
Turmeric is a spice that contains curcumin – a bright yellow chemical that many claim has bountiful benefits for your health. Not only is it anti-inflammatory, but it can also treat indigestion (and is also reported to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s). You can add turmeric to your food or drink as a tea.
Read: Discover the power of purple vegies
Simply add one teaspoon of turmeric (preferably freshly grated turmeric root) and a teaspoon of freshly grated ginger to a cup of boiling water. Then cover and allow to infuse for 10 minutes. Once it’s cooled down a bit, add some honey, a slice of lemon, as well as a teaspoon of coconut oil or a pinch of black pepper to help your body absorb the turmeric.
Probiotics
A small serve of yoghurt can improve your digestion, as can a serve of kefir, kimchi, tempeh or sauerkraut. While it won’t be a quick fix, introducing good bacteria found in these foods will help your digestion no end – and will have ongoing health benefits as well.
Breathing
Believe it or not, stress actually increases gas and hampers your digestive system. So some steady breathing, meditation or a relaxing walk away from high tension situations can do wonders for your digestion.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is packed with vitamin A, potassium and fibre – all ingredients that lead to a healthy digestive system. Just one cup of pumpkin is enough to create good digestive flow and keep your insides smiling.
Read: Benefits and risks of kombucha
Yoga
Yoga helps digestion by incorporating deep breathing and stretches that improve the flow of your digestive organs. To see how yoga can help reduce the pressure of bloating, check out Amelia’s five beginner yoga poses to aid your digestion.
So, with the right foods and maybe a few stretches, you can beat the bloat and do away with distension.
How do you beat the bloat? Do you have any secret home remedies you can share with our members?
