What are Some Home Remedies for Gas?

It may be a little embarrassing to admit, but we all get gas, every day. Most people on average pass gas about 14 times a day, and this is well within the normal range. However, the passing of gas is looked upon by our society as an unpleasant thing, and downright rude when it is done in public. Often, too, we may be afflicted with excessive gas, which can cause the stomach to feel bloated, or to even be painful.

You’re probably not going to be able to do much to completely eliminate gas, but when it is excessive, there are many home remedies for gas that you can try. First and foremost is avoiding gas-producing foods, especially in large amounts. Pay attention to what you eat and figure out which foods tend to trigger a gassy response. Beans are known offenders, and any carbonated drinks can also cause excessive flatulence. Frequently, high fiber and high carbohydrate foods take longer to digest and can produce more gas. If you have a few “known offenders” on your list you can try to avoid these foods. But a number of the really nutritious foods are more gas producing.

Some people recommend trying to consume certain herbs called carminatives (stomach soothing) with those foods most likely to produce gas. These remedies for gas that are herbs include rosemary, anise, basil, fennel, thyme, allspice and oregano. If you’d like to still enjoy your foods on the known offenders list, try adding some extra seasonings as a way of providing home remedies for gas that may stop it before it starts.

Many people also recommend taking Beano® before eating high fiber foods. Beano® is an enzyme called Alpha-D-Galactosidase that has been shown effective when taken before consuming many gas causing foods. This enzyme is actually a mold that is considered “food-grade,” and for most people it is safe to take. Children under the age of 12 should not use it, unless a physician authorizes its use, and there is some anecdotal suggestion that people allergic to penicillin may have an allergic response to the product. This is considered very rare, and there have been few reported cases.

Another of the home remedies for gas is not to take anything, but instead to position your body to more quickly release excess gas. There are several suggested methods. If you’re really in pain, try lying on your left side. This is the recommended position after colonoscopies, which tend to create gassy response because of air injected into the colon. If you’re just slightly uncomfortable, there are other methods to try. You can take a walk, or lie on the floor on your back and bicycle with your legs. Activity is good when you can manage it, and one of the best home remedies for gas since it will help to stimulate the digestive tract.

Lastly, consider the yoga position called child’s pose. In child’s pose, you place your hips over your heels, and you face your body downward, with the arms extended out, and the forehead resting on the floor. If the hips don’t sit directly on the heels, you can place a pillow between the hips and the legs for more comfort. Many people swear by this position as one of the best home remedies for gas, since it helps to compress the air and also helps to expel it.