You can typically manage indigestion with home remedies like peppermint or chamomile tea and ginger. But indigestion that occurs often or with other symptoms may require help from a doctor or dietitian.

Many people will have indigestion at some point. Instead of reaching for over-the-counter antacids to calm your stomach, you might try controlling symptoms with ingredients and herbs in your home.

Peppermint has an antispasmodic effect on the body, making it a great choice for relieving stomach problems like nausea and indigestion.

Drink a cup of peppermint tea after meals to soothe your stomach, or keep a few pieces of peppermint in your pocket to suck on after eating.

You shouldn’t, however, drink or eat peppermint when indigestion is caused by acid reflux. It’s not recommended for people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or stomach ulcers, either.

Because peppermint relaxes the muscle between your stomach and esophagus, drinking or eating it may cause stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus and worsen acid reflux.

Chamomile tea is known to help induce sleep and calm anxiety. This herb may also ease gut discomfort and relieve indigestion by reducing stomach acid in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Chamomile acts as an anti-inflammatory to stop the pain.

To prepare chamomile tea, place 1 or 2 teabags in boiling water for 10 minutes. Pour the tea into a cup and add honey, if desired. Drink the tea as needed to stop indigestion.

Consult a doctor before drinking chamomile tea if you take a blood thinner. Chamomile contains an ingredient that acts as an anticoagulant, so there’s the risk of bleeding when combined with a blood thinner.

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) may help ease indigestion, but more consistent research is needed.

Since too little stomach acid can trigger indigestion, drink ACV to increase your body’s production of stomach acid.

Add 1 to 2 teaspoons (tsp) of raw, unpasteurized ACV to 1 cup of water and drink for fast relief. You can also stop indigestion before it occurs by drinking the mixture 30 minutes before eating.

Although ACV is generally safe, drinking it in excess or undiluted may cause side effects such as:

Ginger may reduce stomach acid. Too little stomach acid causes indigestion, and too much stomach acid has the same effect.

Drink ginger tea as needed to soothe your stomach and indigestion. Other ginger options include:

To make ginger water, boil 1 or 2 pieces of ginger root in 4 cups of water. If desired, add lemon or honey to flavor before drinking.

Limit your ginger consumption to no more than 4 grams (g) daily. Consuming too much ginger may cause side effects such as:

  • gas
  • throat burn
  • heartburn

This antispasmodic herb may help remedy indigestion after a meal and soothe other GI problems such as:

Most research on fennel and digestion, however, is based on animals. More human studies are necessary to verify its effects.

If you want to try fennel for indigestion, add 1/2 tsp of crushed fennel seed in water and boil it for 10 minutes before drinking. Drink fennel tea whenever you experience indigestion.

Another option is to chew fennel seeds after meals if certain foods cause indigestion.

Possible side effects of fennel include:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • sun sensitivity

Baking soda can quickly neutralize stomach acid and relieve indigestion, bloating, and gas after eating. Add 1/2 tsp of baking soda to 4 ounces of warm water and drink.

Baking soda is generally safe and nontoxic. But drinking large amounts may cause some side effects such as:

If you drink a baking soda solution containing 1/2 tsp of baking soda for indigestion, don’t repeat for at least 2 hours. Adults should have no more than seven 1/2 tsp in 24 hours and no more than three 1/2 tsp if over the age of 60 years.

The alkaline effect of lemon water neutralizes stomach acid and improves digestion in studies with mice.

Lemon water is also an excellent source of vitamin C. Too much lemon water, however, may wear down tooth enamel and cause increased urination. To protect your teeth, rinse your mouth with water after drinking lemon water.

Mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice in hot or warm water and drink a few minutes before eating.

Licorice root may calm inflammation in the GI tract, which can trigger indigestion. Chew licorice root for relief, or add it to boiling water and drink the mixture.

Licorice root may cause sodium and potassium imbalances and high blood pressure in large doses. Researchers recommend consuming no more than 100 milligrams (mg) of glycyrrhizin, the primary active compound in licorice root, daily.

You can reach this amount by consuming 60 to 70 g of licorice. Other studies recommend 0.015 to 0.229 mg per kilogram of body weight daily.

Though indigestion is common, frequent indigestion is often a symptom of a chronic digestive problem, such as acid reflux or gastritis.

See a doctor if indigestion continues for more than two weeks or if you experience severe pain or other symptoms such as:

What is the best thing to drink for indigestion?

Depending on the cause of your indigestion, drinking a bit of clear broth or a drink containing ginger may help.

Does drinking water help with indigestion?

Drinking water may help dilute the acid in your stomach and reduce symptoms of indigestion.

What helps indigestion quickly?

Options for quick relief from indigestion include treatments like over-the-counter antacids and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) in water.

Stomach discomfort can disrupt your life, but home remedies, such as chamomile or peppermint teas and ginger, may help relieve or prevent indigestion. If you have any worrisome or frequent symptoms, speak with a doctor or dietitian.

The FDA doesn’t monitor herbs and remedies for quality, so research your brand choices.

The sooner you see a doctor for frequent indigestion, the sooner you can feel better and enjoy a higher quality of life.