When the belly feels uncomfortable and full, we call it bloating. Bloating is more common than we think and though it’s unpleasant, there are plenty of methods we can use to relieve this uncomfortable problem.
In case the bloating is ongoing and doesn’t go away, it’s best to consult your physician. Some of the common signs of short-term bloating are a bigger and fuller belly, discomfort, a rumbling sensation, and increased gas passing.
Some of the most common causes of bloating is a lot of gas in the gut. This may be triggered by certain foods and drinks like some veggies and fizzy drinks or by swallowing a lot of air while eating.
Sometimes, it may be a symptom of a digestive issue like food intolerance, celiac disease, constipation, IBS, etc.
Bloating may also increase or be more common around the time of the menstrual period.
How to Relieve Bloating?
There are a lot of tips offered to reduce bloating and one increasingly popular, i.e., essential oils, is definitely worth trying.
Used since ancient times, essential oils are a popular alternative healing treatment for a long list of health issues. Modern science today is uncovering all of the healing properties that essential oils have to offer, including their benefits for digestion.
Certain essential oils are praised as one of the best ways to flush away bloating. Thanks to their potent compounds, flavonoids, and amino acids, essential oils possess anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic characteristics.
They can be consumed or applied topically to reduce irritated and inflamed digestive tract and further relieve bloating.
Which Essential Oils Should You Try to Relieve Bloating & Gas?
Before you decide on an essential oil, you need to consider if you want to consume it orally, apply it topically, or breathe it in via steam. This is because some oils are only used for oral consumption while others are used for topical application and inhalation.
Always pick a food-grade essential oil from a qualified manufacturer. The non-food grade ones should not be taken internally and they’re made for topical application and diffusing.
Before application of any essential oil on your skin, don’t forget to dilute it with a carrier oil like almond, olive, or jojoba oil.
This is done because of the high concentration of essential oils and to decrease the risk of skin irritation. A good rule of thumb for diluting the oil is 12 drops of the essential oil per two tablespoons of carrier oil.
4 Great Essential Oils for Less Bloating & Gas
- Peppermint oil
This essential oil has a soothing effect on digestion.
In a study, 75 percent of patients who took peppermint oil had a 50 percent reduction in the symptoms of IBS, including bloating, discomfort, gas, constipation, and diarrhea.
The soothing effects of peppermint come from the menthol that it contains which alleviates inflammation and soothes the intestinal lining.
To use it, combine a drop of peppermint oil with an 8-ounce glass of water and consume it prior to meals.
- Ginger essential oil
This oil can be as potent as ginger tea to soothe your belly discomfort. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory characteristics, ginger is a great natural remedy for belly discomfort.
Moreover, studies have found ginger helpful in elevating the rate at which foods leave the belly.
This is particularly beneficial when you’re bloated after a meal. To use it, add two to three drops of the oil in bath water or a teaspoon in one glass of water.
- Lemongrass
Fragrant lemongrass has long been used to relieve numerous gastrointestinal problems, particularly in Brazilian folk medicine.
Studies today have proven its gastroprotective properties, i.e., using it will keep your intestinal tract’s risk of inflammation and ulcers lower.
What’s more, it will help you alleviate bloating caused by bacteria because it possesses antimicrobial characteristics.
To use it, combine three drops of lemongrass oil and one tablespoon of carrier oil and massage the content into the belly area.
- Chamomile
One of the oldest herbs known to mankind, chamomile is a popular folk remedy that’s praised for its ability to help with a variety of problems, from ulcers and inflammation to diaper rashes and anxiety.
And, chamomile seems to be a powerful tool in improving digestion.
Namely, studies have found chamomile’s antispasmodic properties to be beneficial in relieving irritated belly, and gas, and relaxing the intestinal muscles to allow food to pass easily through it.
To use it, apply two to four drops of chamomile previously diluted with a carrier oil, to the belly.
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