Stomachaches can be triggered by a number of sources, including overindulgence, food poisoning or viral infection, but relief is not always at hand. Standard medications may address one of the underlying causes, but not necessarily all of them. Many people also prefer to use organic or home remedies to address stomachaches instead of depending on strong or harshly flavored commercial medicines.
Some home remedy enthusiasts suggest using a popular carbonated soft drink for its original purpose. Many pharmacies still carry coca cola syrup as an over-the-counter remedy for stomach problems. Pouring a small amount of the cola syrup over ice or drinking it straight is said to cure an upset stomach. If the syrup form is not available, you could also allow the carbonated version to become flat and drink the contents warm. Other carbonated beverages such as ginger ale and lemon-lime are also recommended as home remedies.
Raw ginger is also a popular remedy for stomachaches, whether it is in a crystalline form or squeezed out of a piece of ginger root. Carbonated ginger ale, especially organic brands derived from actual ginger, is a popular treatment for nausea as well.
Another spice associated with stomach problems is cinnamon. One home remedy is to brew a form of tea using only cinnamon sticks and boiling water. The results of the brewing can be sweetened with sugar or honey, but delivering the cinnamon to the stomach is the key to a cure. If the thought of drinking cinnamon tea sounds too daunting, capsules containing ground cinnamon can be found at many health food stores. Cinnamon can also be added to toasted bread to make it easier to ingest.
Toasted bread can also be used as a home remedy for stomachaches, especially those caused by food poisoning or stomach viruses. The bread is toasted until it becomes completely charred black. Honey is often added to make the burnt toast easier to eat, but it is believed the toast acts as a form of activated charcoal to absorb the offending substance in the patient's stomach.
Another home remedy for this condition mirrors many of the effects created by commercial antacids or Alka Seltzer®. The sufferer squeezes the juice of two lemons into a glass, then adds a small amount of sugar as a sweetener. The next step is to add a half teaspoon of baking soda to the juice and consume it quickly as it foams. This remedy helps release trapped gases through carbonation, and also provides some adjustment to the acid level of a sour stomach. A solution of baking soda and water alone can also be used to provide relief for certain stomach problems.
