She suggests patients take 1- to 1. In a review from the NCCAM, ginger is considered safe and causes few side effects in most people; however, in large doses, it can cause stomach upset.

Turmeric Another herb used to treat common digestive disorders is turmeric Curcuma longa. The active component in turmeric is curcumin, the substance that gives turmeric its yellow color.

Turmeric frequently is used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine to aid digestion and liver function, along with a host of other nondigestive ailments. Research has shown that turmeric has anti-inflammatory effects, which may explain its effectiveness in preventing relapses of ulcerative colitis.

In one randomized controlled trial, fewer patients experienced relapse when taking turmeric with conventional treatment. Like the researchers in the study, Scarlata recommends taking 2 g of turmeric to treat ulcerative colitis. But while turmeric may be an effective treatment for some, it may not be safe for everyone.

For example, turmeric may worsen gallbladder issues; it may cause stomach upset and exacerbate gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD symptoms in some people. Milk Thistle Native to Europe, milk thistle Silybum marianum has long been used as food and medicine. Cristina Caro, MBA, RD, LD, a consultant dietitian and adjunct faculty member at Chattahoochee Technical College in Atlanta, recommends milk thistle to clients who experience sluggish digestion and metabolism and to keep liver cells healthy.

In general, milk thistle is well tolerated, although GI side effects have been noted as well as its tendency to lower blood sugar, so caution should be used for anyone at risk of hypoglycemia.

Slippery Elm As the name suggests, slippery elm Ulmus rubra contains a gel-like substance called mucilage that coats the esophagus. The herb is available as a lozenge, capsule, tincture, or tea to treat digestive distress. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the doses health care practitioners may recommend to clients will vary based on the preparation.

Typical doses may include 4 g of powdered bark dissolved in 2 cups of hot water three times per day or to mg in capsule form three to four times per day for four to eight weeks.

As with all herbal remedies, pregnant or breast-feeding women should discuss the use of slippery elm with their health care provider. The efficacy of slippery elm is widely reported, though no clinical trials have been found to support its use. Culver found eating pineapple Ananas comosus helpful because it contains digestive enzymes that have been touted as a treatment for heartburn and indigestion.

However, little evidence exists to support its use for digestive disorders. Probiotics Probiotics are heavily marketed as a way to help regulate digestion. Clients must choose the right type of probiotic for them and concern themselves with whether the bacteria they ingest can withstand stomach acid and make it into the intestines alive to be of any benefit.

Tracy Smith, RD, LD, a bariatric dietetics specialist, recommends probiotics to treat both diarrhea and constipation to her clients. However, a recent meta-analysis considers their use for constipation investigational and not yet supported by research. Rather than supplements, Connie Crawley, MS, RD, a University of Georgia Cooperative Extension nutrition and health specialist, recommends kefir milk to treat GERD.

It has 10 [strains of bacteria] vs. To increase its palatability, she recommends mixing half of the kefir milk with nonfat milk or choosing a flavored variety.

Food First Dietitians know that altering the diet using medical nutrition therapy and eating specific foods can help treat the symptoms of transient digestive discomfort and chronic disease. The following are a couple of additional foods dietitians can recommend to clients to treat common digestive disorders:.

In fact, Rogers recommends it and reports success with her clients who suffer from GERD. The fat in milk may cause additional discomfort, but clients can avoid this by drinking fat-free or low-fat varieties.

Anecdotal reports support the use of milk to treat GERD but not much clinical evidence exists. There appears to be no significant support for this in the literature, yet the combination of milk and honey to treat heartburn remains popular.

In addition, RDs should rule out more severe disease by taking an interdisciplinary health care team approach to helping clients with chronic digestive discomfort. Lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity and stopping smoking also are essential since obesity, smoking, and stress are known to increase GI distress.

Helping a client develop a nutrient-rich diet and overall healthful lifestyle are important tasks for the dietitian, despite other therapies the patient may be using. According to Patsy Catsos, MS, RDN, LD, a consultant dietitian at Nutrition Works and the author of IBS — Free at Last!

Research supports efficacy as anti-inflammatory, but questions remain about its bioavailability; not safe for those with gallbladder disease; stop taking two weeks before surgery. Diaphragmatic breathing for GI patients. Liu Y, Tran DQ, Rhoads JM. Probiotics in disease prevention and treatment.

J Clin Pharmacol. Wilkins T, Sequoia J. Probiotics for gastrointestinal conditions: a summary of the evidence. American Academy of Family Physicians: FamilyDoctor. Anti-diarrheal medicines: OTC relief for diarrhea.

Antiemetic medicines: OTC relief for nausea and vomiting. Sleep Foundation. Side sleeping: Which side is best and how to do it. Feagan BG, Kahrilas PJ, Jalan R, McDonald JWD. Gans SL, Pols MA, Stoker J, Boermeester MA. Guideline for the diagnostic pathway in patients with acute abdominal pain.

Dig Surg. Cervellin G, Mora R, Ticinesi A, et al. Epidemiology and outcomes of acute abdominal pain in a large urban emergency department: retrospective analysis of 5, cases. Ann Transl Med. Fashner J, Gitu AC. Diagnosis and treatment of peptic ulcer disease and H.

Saha L. Irritable bowel syndrome: pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and evidence-based medicine. Barcikowska Z, Rajkowska-Labon E, Grzybowska ME, Hansdorfer-Korzon R, Zorena K.

Inflammatory markers in dysmenorrhea and therapeutic options. Int J Environ Res Public Health. By Molly Burford Molly Burford is a mental health advocate and wellness book author with almost 10 years of experience in digital media. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising.

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Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content. List of Partners vendors. Digestive Health. Daily Care. By Molly Burford. Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Natural Remedies. OTC Treatments. When to See a Provider.

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Vomiting and diarrhea with upset stomach can cause dehydration. Sports drinks with electrolytes are the best way to prevent dehydration.

If you're having trouble keeping liquids down, try sucking on ice chips and taking small sips of water. You can also drink noncaffeinated sodas, such as Sprite, 7UP or ginger ale.

Take care to avoid caffeinated sodas, since caffeine can make your upset stomach worse. The carbonation from sodas inflates the stomach while increasing its internal pressure.

Combining higher pressure and caffeine's effects makes acid reflux more likely. People with irritable bowel syndrome may want to avoid certain foods that increase flatulence , especially beans, legumes, onions, celery, asparagus, cauliflower, raisins, apricots, prunes, Brussels sprouts, wheat, pretzels and bagels.

Stomach pain comes in various forms and might range from intermittent pain to dull abdominal aching, stabbing pains that remain constant. People who experience frequent stomach issues may have something more going on than just sensitivity. The best thing is to come in for screening, so your health care provider can rule out conditions such as peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome.

Call Skip to main content. Nebraska University Health Center 4 home remedies for an upset stomach plus 6 things to avoid.