Natural Remedies for Indigestion
Understanding Indigestion
Indigestion, also referred to as functional dyspepsia, is a disorder affecting the upper digestive tract, which can significantly diminish one’s quality of life. While not life-threatening, research has indicated that indigestion can reduce work productivity and lead to increased healthcare costs. Various factors contributing to indigestion include diet, lifestyle, stress, infections, medication side effects, and the stomach’s inability to process food.
Symptoms of Indigestion
Symptoms can differ from person to person, but they typically encompass a “burning” sensation in the upper digestive tract, feelings of fullness, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms usually persist for about a month and may resolve independently. Diagnosing indigestion can be challenging, necessitating a physician’s evaluation to exclude other digestive disorders such as acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcer disease, or delayed gastric emptying. Physicians generally gather comprehensive medical histories before determining if additional tests are necessary.
Management of Indigestion
Lifestyle and dietary modifications can effectively alleviate indigestion symptoms. Recommended lifestyle changes include stress reduction, elevating the head during sleep, and weight loss. Dietary adjustments may involve consuming smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding foods and beverages high in acidity and fat that may trigger symptoms.
Medications and Psychotherapy
According to a 2017 joint clinical guideline from American and Canadian health authorities, certain medications—including proton-pump inhibitors (like omeprazole), tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline), and prokinetic agents (like domperidone)—are not indicated for indigestion, despite being studied for its treatment. If patients do not respond to these medications, psychotherapy is suggested as a conditional option based on the patient’s motivation and circumstances. However, the guideline does not endorse alternative treatments for indigestion due to insufficient evidence.
Natural Remedies Explored
A 2019 review examined several natural remedies for indigestion, including peppermint and caraway oil, ginger, Rikkunshito, and Iberogast.
Peppermint and Caraway Oil Combination
Research indicates that peppermint oil can relax the digestive tract, while caraway oil enhances peppermint’s effects. Four studies involving 383 patients demonstrated that a combination of 90 mg peppermint oil and 50 mg caraway oil taken twice daily for four weeks reduced pain intensity and improved overall pain scores. Patients reported good tolerance to this combination compared to placebo and prokinetic agents.
Ginger
Ginger has been shown to expedite stomach emptying for better digestion. However, only one study with 11 indigestion patients provided data on its effectiveness, revealing no significant improvements despite good tolerance compared to a placebo.
Rikkunshito
Rikkunshito is a traditional Japanese herbal remedy composed of several ingredients, marketed to enhance indigestion relief after two weeks of use. A review of four studies involving 516 patients showed that those taking Rikkunshito for eight weeks experienced better symptom improvement, although further safety data is necessary.
Iberogast
Iberogast, also known as STW5, is formulated from nine herbal extracts that work together to regulate and relax the digestive tract. Two studies involving 435 patients indicated that Iberogast improved indigestion symptoms and was well-tolerated compared to a placebo.
Conclusion
As there is no standardized therapy for treating indigestion, exploring natural remedies may be an alternative approach. It is crucial to consult a healthcare professional before considering these remedies. While the natural treatments discussed have shown promise in alleviating indigestion symptoms, further research is needed to confirm their efficacy and safety.
References
Moayyedi P, Lacy BE, Andrews CN, Enns RA, Howden CW, Vakil N. ACG and CAG Clinical Guideline: Management of Dyspepsia. Am J Gastroenterol. 2017;112(7):988-1013. doi:10.1038/ajg.2017.154
Masuy I, Van Oudenhove L, Tack J. Review article: treatment options for functional dyspepsia. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2019;49(9):1134-1172. doi:10.1111/apt.15191
Written by Manuel Bangsil, PharmD, MBA, BCMAS.