Many people are plagued by stomach cramps at some point in their lives. Not infrequently, harmless causes are behind them, such as a meal that is too rich in fat and taken too late or food intolerances. In order to achieve a quick improvement of the symptoms, especially when a visit to the doctor is not possible, a few simple household remedies can be tried. However, if the pain is persistent, severe or very severe, a doctor should be consulted, as serious causes of the complaints must be clarified before self-treatment.
Heat
Cramps can often be easily relieved with heat. A hot-water bottle or a cherry stone cushion are suitable. However, care should be taken to ensure that the hot-water bottle or pillow is not too hot. It is best to wrap it in a towel. Otherwise it can cause burns.
Herbal Tea
In the field of naturopathy there are some preparations that can have a soothing effect on stomach cramps. For example, teas made from camomile, peppermint or liquorice root are suitable for relieving cramps. The ingredients of the teas have anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects.
Liquorice root in particular has an additional mucous membrane protecting effect, as it promotes the production of mucus in the stomach mucous membrane cells. It is best to use medicinal teas from the pharmacy or fresh chamomile, peppermint or liquorice root. Then pour boiling water directly over them, let them steep for a few minutes and drink the tea warm.
Up to three cups of the herbal tea should be drunk per day. Other teas that have proven to be effective in the treatment of stomach cramps include fennel tea, yarrow tea, thyme tea and nettle tea. Caution: The menthol contained in peppermint also has an antispasmodic effect on the muscles that close the esophagus. This can cause heartburn and belching more easily. If you are prone to heartburn, peppermint is therefore not recommended for stomach cramps.