Natural Remedy for Gas in the Stomach

If you're struggling with troubling abdominal gas, consider trying some natural remedies to help ease and prevent your discomfort. In addition, you might find relief from aromatherapy. Several essential oils and herbs have been used for centuries to aid in natural healing. Lifestyle and dietary changes may help as well.

Natural Home Remedies

• To ease your abdominal gas naturally, consider trying some preventative measures. The "Doctors' Book of Home Remedies for Women" suggests chewing your food slowly. The more slowly you chew, the less air you'll swallow. Plus, the more you break down your food, the less likely you will be to suffer from gas.

  In addition, avoid foods that may cause gas. Eliminate cabbage, corn and beans from your diet. In general, higher-fiber foods may have the potential to cause you discomfort, but because fiber is an important part of your diet, don't eliminate it completely. Instead, try getting your fiber from other sources, such as whole grains or flaxseeds (see References 2). If you do choose to eat beans, soak them overnight with a couple tbsp. of vinegar.

  Sugar-free foods made with sorbitol may be difficult to digest and cause gas as well. Also, carbonated, fizzy drinks produce a lot of gas. Caffeine can irritate your colon, which could cause gas. Either cut back or eliminate caffeine from your diet (see References 2).

  Consider trying the herb chamomile to give you some relief from your abdominal gas. Used for a wide variety of gastrointestinal conditions, the flowering top of the chamomile plant can be used to make tea, or take a liquid extract, capsules or tablets (see References 3).

  To help your abdominal gas, move around. Exercise prevents gas from being trapped in your abdomen and bowels. Aim for 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, three times a week.

Aromatherapy

• Also try aromatherapy. Valerie Ann Worwood, author of "The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy," recommends using a blend of three drops of peppermint and two drops of clove. Blend those oils in 1 tsp. of an appropriate base oil, such as cold-pressed olive oil or almond oil. Massage the area on your upper abdomen in a clockwise motion as needed. Worwood says peppermint is known for its digestive properties and has been used by several ancient cultures, including the Egyptians, Chinese and American Indians (see References 1). If you don't have those oils, try a blend of eucalyptus and/or chamomile.