Belching, colloquially also called “burping”, refers to the rising of air from the digestive tract or the respiratory organs. It is a natural process that was still considered a sign of satiety after a tasty meal in the Middle Ages. In today’s society, however, belching is usually frowned upon.
What helps against belching?
Adding a teaspoon of healing clay to a cup of tea can help against belching. The most common cause is excessive accumulation of air in the stomach. This is caused by eating too quickly, with the sufferer swallowing a lot of air with each bite. In extreme cases, this is called aerophagia. To get the problems under control, particular attention should be paid to eating slowly with only small bites. Good chewing is also recommended. Meals should be taken in a calm, relaxed atmosphere, as stress is an often underestimated factor. Furthermore, the intake of carbonated drinks and flatulent foods should be reduced or stopped completely. These include, for example, all types of cabbage, legumes, unripe fruit, garlic or cola. Rich, fatty meals generally promote a feeling of fullness and thus encourage belching. Sweeteners such as xylitol or sorbitol should also be avoided. Another option is to avoid drinking straws, as they cause air to be absorbed as if by magic. Sometimes the complaints also occur after a change in the diet of the affected person. Changing too quickly to a high-fiber diet can promote belching in conjunction with a bloated belly. Since the digestive system needs some time to get used to the changed diet, the change should be gradual. In addition to an excessive accumulation of air in the digestive system, the cause of belching can also be caused by an excess of gastric acid. In this case, the affected person experiences a sour taste in the mouth and a burning sensation in the esophagus. Here, the use of home remedies should not be an option, but medical treatment should be sought.
Quick help
Quick help against belching brings the consumption of chamomile tea. Bilabolol, which is found in the essential oil of chamomile, has a soothing effect on the stomach. Those who do not like chamomile tea can also try fennel, anise or caraway tea. These produce the same effect and can also be taken in seed form. Widely used advice such as holding one’s breath and distracting oneself aims to divert one’s concentration to other things. Gentle abdominal massage also helps remove excess air from the digestive tract. The same goes for exercise. A walk in the fresh air can work wonders, as can a session of yoga, which is particularly relaxing for the stomach.
Alternative remedies
To combat the causes of belching in the long term, alternative measures outside of conventional medicine are also available. Thus, the regular consumption of tea preparations already mentioned above can provide relief from the symptoms. Caraway, fennel and anise have been known as phytotherapeutic remedies for digestive complaints for quite some time. Another option is to take warm water with some healing clay. For even better effect, the healing clay can also be added to one of the teas mentioned (one teaspoon per cup). Ginger should also be used in the treatment. As an ancient medicinal plant in Asian medicine, it contains a stomach-strengthening and digestive mix of different ingredients. These include, for example, cineole or borneol. In addition, the “miracle tuber” is said to have other benefits such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Ginger can be used in various forms: as a spice in the kitchen, as a tea or even as a pickled vegetable (so-called “ginger plums”). Yogurts containing probiotic bacteria such as bifido or acidophilus bacteria also have a beneficial effect on the digestive tract. Last but not least, homeopathic measures can also be considered. Remedies such as Anacardium, Carbo vegetabilis or Asa foetida are used against belching. If this form of therapy is to be used on one’s own, sound knowledge is required. Otherwise, it is advisable to seek out appropriately trained specialists.
