Home Remedies for Flatulence

Most flatulence settles with small changes in how you eat and move. Home care is usually enough when there are no warning signs.

What helps

• Eat slowly and chew well. Do not talk while eating.
• Avoid chewing gum, hard sweets, straws and fizzy drinks, which add swallowed air.
• Walk for 10 to 15 minutes after meals to help gas move through the bowel.
• Sip warm water through the day.
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of heavy ones.
• Keep a food diary to spot triggers such as beans, onions or dairy, and reduce those.
• Gentle abdominal massage in clockwise circles may ease trapped gas.
• Lie on your left side or draw your knees to your chest to help release gas.
• Warm compress on the belly for cramps.
• Treat constipation with fibre, water and regular toilet habits.

Spices and teas

Fennel (saunf), ginger, ajwain or cumin in food or as a warm tea are traditional comforts. Evidence is limited, but they are safe for most adults in food amounts.

What not to do

• Do not take strong laxatives or home purgatives regularly.
• Do not cut out whole food groups without advice.
• Do not give infants gripe water, herbal drops or steam unless a doctor advises it.
• Do not ignore blood in stool, weight loss, vomiting or severe pain.

Introducing fibre

Increase fibre gradually over a few weeks. A sudden jump can raise gas for a while.

See a doctor if

Gas is severe, persistent, or comes with the warning signs above.

Chest pain is not gas. Call 112 or 102 for severe chest pain.