Plunge into a bowl of spicy nachos or sit around all day doing nothing and you may find yourself battling a nasty case of indigestion – the general term used to describe the discomfort that takes place in the upper part of the abdomen. To get rid of indigestion symptoms, you may want to familiarize yourself with quick and easy home remedies.

What is Indigestion?

Indigestion, also known as an upset stomach or dyspepsia, often causes pain or a strong sensation to develop in the upper stomach. It is not a disease or specific condition, but rather, a collection of symptoms that brings on heartburn, bloating, burping, and nausea [1].

Causes and Symptoms

Indigestion creates a burning feeling in the stomach. An acidic taste may take over your mouth. You may feel full and experience bloating. Nausea and vomiting are also common signs of indigestion. The stomach may growl and sometimes, diarrhea surfaces. Usually, indigestion is a sign of an intestinal complication (like gallbladder disease, peptic ulcers, or chronic appendicitis), while in other cases – you may have simply ate too fast [2]. Other causes of indigestion include:

• Uncooked food
• Food allergies (like beans and onions)
• Eating too much food in one sitting
• Lack of exercise
• Persistent digestive problems, like gallstones
• Stress
• Smoking cigarettes
• Excessive consumption of alcohol or caffeine
• Stomach cancer

Indigestion Home Remedies

Instead of running to the pharmacy for indigestion relief, your kitchen cabinets and refrigerator are stocked with enough home ammunition to battle an upset stomach. Some home remedies for indigestion include:

a) Pineapple Juice:

Drink a ½ glass of pineapple juice after every meal to treat indigestion.

b) Parsley:

To treat indigestion, eat around ¼ teaspoon of dried parsley and follow up with a glass of water. Eating a few sprigs of fresh parsley can also help.

c) Celery:

When the initial signs of indigestion start to rear its ugly head, chomp on a celery stick.

d) Potato:

Some people have treated their indigestion by chewing up and swallowing a small piece of raw potato.

e) Lemon, Ginger, and Honey:

Add a spoonful each of lemon juice and ginger, and two spoonfuls of honey to a glass of warm water. Stir the ingredients with a spoon and drink when the signs of indigestion start to emerge.

f) Lemon Juice:

Prevent acid buildup associated with indigestion by drinking a cup of hot water mixed with one tablespoon of lemon juice before eating a meal.

g) Baking Soda:

Mix an equal amount of baking soda and water to gain quick indigestion relief.

h) Bag of Ice:

Apply an ice bag over your stomach after meals. Wait ½ hour before resorting to this remedy.

i) Grapes:

It is said that grapes can remove indigestion symptoms, as well as treat an irritated stomach.

j) Grapefruit:

Grate small bits of the outer skin of a grapefruit until you reach the white part. Dry the grated pieces of grapefruit skin by laying them out on a paper towel. Store the dried, grated skins in a small sealed container. When signs of indigestion arise, take ½ teaspoon of the remedy. Place the dry grated pieces in your mouth and suck for a couple of seconds, and then slowly chew before swallowing.

k) Cinnamon:

Add a tablespoon of cinnamon to a glass of water. Drink the mixture an hour after eating a meal to treat indigestion and gas.

l) Ginger:

Indigestion responds to a hot cup of ginger tea after meals. Some people also chew on crystallized ginger to settle their stomach.

[1] http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/indigestion/DG00018
[2] http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/Indigestion_Dyspepsia/hic_Indigestion.aspx