We just can’t help ourselves, can we? We overeat during the holidays. So many parties, so many celebrations it’s just hard to say no or enough. Don’t worry, I’ve got some of the best home remedies for upset stomach to help you through.

Apple Cider Vinegar

This would be my go to among home remedies for upset stomach, not just because I wrote a book about it, but because I know from years of personal experience, it works. So we’ll be on the same page, when I say ACV, I’m referring to raw, organic Apple Cider Vinegar.

The mother in organic, raw ACV, the stuff floating around in it or settled on the bottom of the bottle, is the most important part of ACV in maintaining and restoring balance to the digestive system.

Put 1/3 teaspoon ACV in your mouth and swish for 1 minute before swallowing. This promotes the secretion of enzymes and saliva which get the digestive juices flowing.

Speeding up digestion will bring you fast relief from an overeating tummy ache. If you’re feeling nauseous, take one Tablespoon of ACV. If it’s just too strong for you to handle, add it to four ounces of water along with a teaspoon of raw honey and sip it slowly.

Chamomile Tea

The benefits of the chamomile plant make it a reliable choice among home remedies for upset stomach. The tea can help ease the pain of a stomach ache, headache, or insomnia. It acts by relaxing smooth muscle fibers which make up the upper digestive tract.

To make chamomile tea, you’ll need

• One chamomile teabag or one to two teaspoons dried chamomile flowers (I prefer the dried flowers.)
• Tea strainer or brewing basket (if you use loose flowers)
• Four to six ounces of hot water

Bring the water to a boil and pour over the tea bag or brewing basket with chamomile flowers in it. Cover cup and steep for five to 10 minutes depending on how strong you like it. Add raw honey if you just need a little sweetener. Sip slowly.

Peppermint

Peppermint is easy to grow and dry at home. The list of peppermint plant uses is extensive. It’s on the list of home remedies for upset stomach because of the soothing effects it has on the digestive system.

Peppermint tea and therapeutic grade peppermint essential oil relieve nausea, gas and bloating, as well as headaches. It relaxes smooth muscles, increases bile production, opens sinus passages increasing blood flow, and generally relaxes the nervous system.

To make peppermint tea you’ll need

• One peppermint tea bag or one to two teaspoons dried peppermint (We use dried peppermint) or four to five fresh peppermint leaves.
• Brewing basket for loose peppermint.
• Your favorite mug.
• Four to six ounces of boiling water.

Bring the water to boil and pour over the peppermint tea bag or brewing basket of dried peppermint. Cover the cup and let steep five to 10 minutes depending on your taste. You can add a little raw honey if you want to, but it does take away from the crisp flavor of the tea.

Tips: If you use dried peppermint or fresh peppermint, you can chew them for a little extra benefit.

If you make your tea with fresh peppermint leaves, let it steep 15-20 minutes to receive full benefits.

Sip it while it’s warm.

For essential oils, inhale straight from the bottle or add to the diffuser. If you have a headache, you can place a few drops on your temples and base of your neck and rub in for relief.

Lemon Water

Lemon water is made with warm or boiling water. It’s on the list of home remedies for upset stomach because it increases the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Increased hydrochloric acid speeds up the digestion of food in the stomach.

To make hot lemon water you’ll need:

• One fresh lemon
• Six to eight ounces of water
• Mug or cup

Boil the water, pour over the lemon – cut into wedges. Cover the cup and let it steep for 10-15 minutes. Squeeze the lemon pieces into the boiling water and drink warm.

Be sure you use organic lemons and wash them well before pouring the boiling water over the wedges.

Ginger Tea

Ginger tea benefits go far beyond home remedies for upset stomach. It’s great for aches and pains of joints and muscles, sinus and cold symptoms, stomach cramps, gas, nausea, and more. It can be made from fresh ginger root, dehydrated ginger root, chopped ginger root, and ginger root powder.

To make ginger tea you’ll need:

• One inch fresh ginger root cut into small pieces, a couple pieces of dehydrated ginger, or one teaspoon ginger root powder.
• Eight ounces of water.
• Favorite mug.

Wash and peel the ginger root, if you’re using fresh ginger root. Boil the water and add the ginger root. Let it boil for three minutes then simmer for another two minutes. Strain ginger from the water and add a little honey if you like. Sip slowly.

If you use ginger root powder (I use it a lot for tea), boil the water, add the powder, cover the cup and let it sit for five minutes. Add honey if you like and sip slowly while hot.

For aches and pains, sinus and cold symptoms, and headaches I add one teaspoon turmeric powder or root, one teaspoon cinnamon – true cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper powder to my cup along with the ginger powder before adding the hot water.

An Old Switchel Recipe

Switchel is an ancient drink for upset stomach and general digestive health. Unlike most fermented beverages, it can be mixed and drank readily because it starts with raw, organic, apple cider vinegar.

To make your own switchel, you’ll need:

• 1/4 cup ACV
• One to two teaspoons raw honey (more to taste).
• One tablespoon fresh ginger, minced or grated or two teaspoons ginger root powder.
• One teaspoon fresh lemon juice.

Put all of these ingredients into a quart sized glass jar with a lid. Add water to just below the rim. Stir it well. You can let it sit on the counter overnight if you use fresh ginger root so you can enjoy more of the benefits of ginger. I like to use ginger root powder so I can sip this right away.

You can drink it warm or chilled. We like it either way.

Rice Tea

Rice tea has been used as one of the home remedies for upset stomach for centuries. It’s easy to make and has no offensive flavor.

To make rice tea, bring six cups water to boil, add 1/2 cup of white rice and boil for 15 minutes. Strain the water from the rice. You can add honey if you like, I like to add a dash of healthy salt. Sip four to six ounces at a time. You can reheat the rice tea as you need it.

Prevention is the best way to avoid a belly ache and not need any of these effective home remedies for upset stomach. I hope you don’t need them, but if you do, you have a list of effective options for fast relief.

Do you have another to add to our list of home remedies for upset stomach? Please share with us in the comments below.

Safe and Happy Journey this holiday season,

Rhonda and The Pack