You may be able to soothe an upset stomach by drinking certain beverages, including chamomile tea, ginger tea, and peppermint tea.

There are dozens of reasons why your stomach may be upset. Most causes aren’t serious, and the symptoms pass quickly.

However, having an upset stomach can be an uncomfortable experience. If you’re looking for relief, you may already have these natural remedies in your kitchen.

bitter and soda

Many people swear by five or six drops of cocktail bitters mixed into a cold glass of tonic, club soda, or ginger ale.

Most common bitters brands contain a blend of herbs, such as:

These ingredients may help ease nausea in some people.

A 2021 studyTrusted Source found that individuals who took cinnamon oil every day for 6 weeks experienced significant improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms. However, the study also noted that similar improvement was seen in the placebo group, in which the individuals took sesame oil.

StudiesTrusted Source have shown that ginger can be an effective treatment for some kinds of stomach upset.

A natural anti-inflammatory, ginger is available in many forms, all of which can help.

Ginger chews and supplements are easy to take, while other people prefer their ginger in beverage form. Try an all-natural ginger ale or make a tea from fresh ginger root.

A cup of chamomile tea may help ease the pain of an upset stomach.

A 2023 study found that chamomile oils have anti-inflammatory properties. These properties can help your stomach muscles relax, which can reduce the pain of cramping and spasms.

The BRAT diet stands for:

  • bananas
  • rice
  • applesauce
  • toast

It may help calm an upset stomach and offset the effects of nausea or diarrhea.

BRAT contains low-fiber, high-binding foods. None of these foods contain salt or spices, which may further aggravate symptoms.

This bland diet is a go-to for when you don’t feel like eating but still have to eat something.

The menthol in peppermint leaves is a natural analgesic, or pain reliever.

A 2020 study in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) found that small-intestinal release peppermint oil significantly decreased abdominal pain and discomfort, as well as IBS severity.

Try:

Some people take a spoonful of apple cider vinegar each day to prevent stomach upset. There isn’t a lot of human research on its effects, but animal studiesTrusted Source have found that it can increase digestive enzyme activity.

If the taste of the apple cider vinegar is too strong, try mixing it with with a cup of water and a teaspoon of honey, and sip it slowly.

You might find a heating pad or hot water bottle soothing when you’re feeling sick.

The warmth on your stomach will distract you from any cramping or pain, and the heat may help to relax your muscles and reduce your nausea.

Be mindful of how long you are using the heating pad, as you can damage your skin from overuse.

When to see a doctor

Contact your doctor if you experience nausea or stomach pain and discomfort for more than 48 hours.

Additionally, prolonged vomiting puts you at risk for dehydration. Drinking small sips of water can help prevent this. See a doctor immediately if you are having trouble keeping water down for longer than:

  • 24 hours in adults
  • 12 hours in infants and young children

If you notice that you are consistently having stomach troubles after eating certain foods or engaging in specific activities, talk to your doctor about your symptoms at your next visit.

In most cases, stomach pain is not a cause for concern. Your symptoms will likely pass quickly.

However, having a stomach ache can be uncomfortable. If you are looking for relief through natural means, you may consider trying remedies such as ginger, chamomile tea, or apple cider vinegar.

You should see a doctor if your stomach pain persists for over 48 hours, or if you are having trouble keeping water down for longer than six hours.