6 Herbal Remedies to Help Treat Indigestion

Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***.

Indigestion is an ultra-common problem, but the good news is there is small treasure trove of herbal remedies that may be effective against the pain of “dyspepsia,” also known as indigestion:

1. Artichoke Leaf

This is your best herbal remedy for indigestion of no specific cause. It’s the kind that just happens. Artichoke is a mild bitter that has been shown time and again to be useful for indigestion. The active ingredient for this purpose is cynarin, so ensure supplements are chock-full of this. A good study proved that it treated indigestion significantly better than placebo in 247 patients. (What else can artichoke do? See Tasty Vegetable AND Herbal Cure.)

2. Turmeric

Turmeric contains curcumin, with both names well-known in herbal medicine circles for many reasons. One major study took 106 people and compared 500 milligrams (mg) of curcumin against placebo. After a week, 87% of those taking the herb had either full or partial relief from stomach distress compared to 53% on placebo.

3. Capsaicin

The main substance in cayenne spice could reduce stomach discomfort. One five-week study tested 2.5 grams of red pepper powder on individuals with dyspepsia. After three weeks, they experienced significantly less pain, nausea, and bloating than patients on placebo.

4. Greater celandine

This herb has been found to relieve — significantly more than placebo — abdominal cramping, nausea and that feeling of being full as a result of indigestion. It has worked well in combination with boldo and artichoke leaf, as well as with turmeric.

5. “Carminative” herbs

Certain herbs are believed to help with the passing of gas, and classic ones include peppermint, fennel, dill, caraway, chamomile, fennel, and turmeric. The catch is that you are using the essential oils of these herbs, which are very strong and must be used carefully. Taking three to five drops of essential oils from these herbs mixed with water a few times a day works well.

Or, try grinding the seeds of fennel and caraway and the leaves of peppermint into a tea. Some evidence includes a study of 39 people, which found that a peppermint/caraway oil combo taken three times a day for a month significantly reduced stomach pain.

6. Banana powder

This traditional food from India may help indigestion. A two-month study of 46 people found that 75% taking banana powder experienced complete or partial relief of symptoms — compared to 20% who received no treatment.