Six herbs for bloating and swollen belly

 Six herbs for bloating and swollen belly

No one likes to feel bloated. It is uncomfortable, painful, and often embarrassing. Bloating can be caused by a number of things. Some causes can be corrected with a lifestyle change, such as a change in diet, while others are a little more complicated. If you suffer from excessive bloating, it could be a sign of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth or SIBO. Too much bacteria moving through your small intestine can end up fermenting the traveling foods, causing gas and stomach bloating. In mild cases, SIBO causes stomach bloating only after eating. But in moderate to severe cases, SIBO can cause constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome. Severe SIBO can lead to chronic diarrhea, unwanted weight loss, and anemia.

SIBO can be caused by several different factors. If you constantly have stomach bloating, consider talking to your doctor about some of the following causes:

Low stomach acid

Stomach acid helps you digest your food. It also acts as a disinfectant to prevent harmful bacteria from entering your gut. Low levels can eventually cause SIBO.

Antacids

Antacids can help relieve heartburn, but they also weaken your body's ability to digest food. Constant or long-term use of antacids or proton pump inhibitors, including Nexium and Prilosec, can cause SIBO.

Previous surgeries

Previous surgeries in the abdominal area may increase your chances of developing SIBO. The healing process from surgery can lead to small adhesion formations as the scars heal, which can eventually affect normal bowel function.

Slow transit time

Some people develop SIBO because of a short transit time. This means that food takes longer than usual to move through the gastrointestinal tract. When food is left sitting in the small intestine for long periods of time, bacteria can feed and ferment in undigested food, causing gas and bloating.

Environmental factors

Diet often plays a big role in stomach bloating. If you regularly eat meat that contains antibiotic residue, too much bacteria may build up in your gut, causing SIBO.

Herbs That Help Reverse Bloating

Peppermint leaf

Peppermint works wonders for relieving stomach bloating, thanks to its natural muscle relaxation properties. Simply make peppermint tea with fresh peppermint leaves and drink to help relieve the painful and itchy symptoms of bloating.

Horse chestnut

Horse chestnut contains a natural antibacterial known as saponin, which helps reduce gas production. To use horse chestnut for bloating, look for it in supplement form. The raw form contains a toxic compound.

Ginger

Ginger is known for its ability to soothe an upset stomach. It has the ability to calm bowel activity while pushing gas out of the digestive tract. Make ginger tea with fresh ginger root and lemon to reduce symptoms of bloat.

Garlic

Garlic helps stimulate digestion, which helps the body pass gas and cleanse the digestive system. If you use fresh garlic to relieve bloating, consider pairing it with fresh parsley to freshen your breath!