Burping: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Burping, also known as belching, is the release of gas from the stomach through the mouth, often accompanied by a sour or unpleasant odor.

This occurs when air or gas is swallowed during eating or drinking, or when the body digests food too quickly, causing gas buildup. Frequent burping can lead to discomfort, bloating, and even acid reflux. To alleviate burping, herbal remedies like ginger, fennel, and peppermint can be used to soothe the digestive system.

However, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, especially for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and individuals with underlying health conditions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of burping, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of burping?

The main causes of burping are swallowing air, eating or drinking too quickly, consuming carbonated beverages, having a large meal, and swallowing air when eating certain foods such as beans, cabbage, and broccoli, which contain raffinose, a complex sugar that can be difficult for the body to digest, leading to gas production in the gut.

The main causes of burping are swallowing air, eating or drinking too quickly, consuming carbonated beverages, having a large meal, and swallowing air when eating certain foods such as beans, cabbage, and broccoli, which contain raffinose, a complex sugar that can be difficult for the body to digest, leading to gas production in the gut.

• Swallowed Air: Swallowed air, often referred to as swallowed gas or swallowed air bubbles, is the most common cause of burping, as it enters the stomach and is released back up through the esophagus as a belch.
• Food Swallowing: Food swallowing, particularly the swallowing of carbonated drinks or foods, is a common cause of burping, as the carbon dioxide in these substances is released as the food is digested in the stomach.
• Eating Habits: Poor eating habits, such as eating too quickly, not chewing food properly, or consuming large amounts of food at one time, can lead to swallowing air and eating too much, both of which are common causes of burping.
• Gastrointestinal Disorders: Gastrointestinal disorders, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), can cause burping due to the abnormal movement of food through the digestive system and the release of gas in the stomach.
• Dietary Factors: Dietary factors, such as eating foods that are high in sugar, fat, and spices, can cause burping due to the release of gas in the stomach as these substances are digested.
• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes, such as those experienced during pregnancy, can cause burping due to the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter and the increased production of hormones that stimulate digestion.
• Medications: Certain medications, such as antacids and acid reducers, can cause burping due to their effects on the stomach and digestive system.
• Anatomical Abnormalities: Anatomical abnormalities, such as a hiatal hernia, can cause burping due to the abnormal movement of food through the digestive system and the release of gas in the stomach.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for burping?

The main medicinal herbs used for burping are Zingiber officinale, Foeniculum vulgare, Cinnamomum verum, Cuminum cyminum, Coriandrum sativum, Piper nigrum, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Curcuma longa, Syzygium aromaticum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum.

Zingiber officinale contains gingerols and shogaols that have anti-inflammatory properties and can help alleviate bloating and gas. Foeniculum vulgare, or fennel, has anise oil which is a natural carminative that helps to expel gas from the digestive system. Cinnamomum verum, Cuminum cyminum, Coriandrum sativum, Piper nigrum, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Curcuma longa, Syzygium aromaticum, and Cinnamomum zeylanicum also have carminative properties that help to reduce bloating and gas.

These herbs work by relaxing the muscles in the digestive tract and reducing inflammation, making them effective remedies for burping and other digestive issues.

• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, helps with burping due to its carminative properties, which aid in reducing flatulence by relaxing the muscles in the digestive tract and reducing inflammation.
• Foeniculum vulgare: Foeniculum vulgare, or fennel, helps with burping by releasing its volatile oils, which have a natural anise-like flavor and aroma, and act as a carminative to ease digestion and reduce gas.
• Cinnamomum verum: Cinnamomum verum, also known as Ceylon cinnamon, helps with burping due to its warm and aromatic properties, which stimulate digestion and relieve gas by relaxing the muscles in the digestive tract.
• Cuminum cyminum: Cuminum cyminum, or cumin, helps with burping by its carminative properties, which reduce gas and alleviate digestive discomfort due to its ability to relax the muscles in the digestive tract.
• Coriandrum sativum: Coriandrum sativum, or coriander, helps with burping by its carminative properties, which ease digestion and reduce gas due to its ability to relax the muscles in the digestive tract.
• Piper nigrum: Piper nigrum, or black pepper, helps with burping due to its bioactive compound piperine, which acts as a carminative to stimulate digestion and relieve gas by relaxing the muscles in the digestive tract.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra, or licorice root, helps with burping due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which soothe the digestive tract and reduce inflammation, thereby alleviating gas and digestive discomfort.
• Curcuma longa: Curcuma longa, or turmeric, helps with burping due to its bioactive compound curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which reduce inflammation and alleviate gas in the digestive tract.
• Syzygium aromaticum: Syzygium aromaticum, or clove, helps with burping by its carminative properties, which reduce gas and alleviate digestive discomfort due to its ability to relax the muscles in the digestive tract.
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum: Cinnamomum zeylanicum, or Ceylon cinnamon, helps with burping due to its warm and aromatic properties, which stimulate digestion and relieve gas by relaxing the muscles in the digestive tract.

What are the main herbal preparations used for burping?

The main herbal preparations used for burping are Decoction, Tincture, Capsule, Lozenges, Salve, Suppository, Capsules, Gummies, Pills, Tea.

Decoction of herbs such as Gentian, Dandelion, and Meadowsweet is used to alleviate digestive issues and reduce burping due to their carminative properties, which help to eliminate gas from the stomach and intestines. Tinctures made from herbs like Iberis and Angelica are also used to treat burping and indigestion by reducing inflammation and relaxing the digestive tract muscles. Capsules, Lozenges, Gummies, Pills, and Tea of herbs like Ginger, Fennel, and Chamomile are used to relieve burping and indigestion due to their anti-inflammatory and spasmolytic properties, which help to soothe the digestive system and reduce gas and bloating.

Salves and Suppositories of herbs like Peppermint and Licorice root are used to treat burping and indigestion by reducing inflammation and relaxing the muscles in the digestive tract.

• Decoction: A decoction made from the dried roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice root) helps with burping by soothing the mucous membranes in the digestive tract and reducing inflammation, which in turn reduces the frequency and discomfort of belching.
• Tincture: A tincture made from the leaves of Plantago major (plantain) helps with burping by acting as a demulcent, coating the mucous membranes in the digestive tract and protecting them from irritation, thereby reducing belching.
• Capsule: A capsule containing the dried seeds of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) helps with burping by releasing carminative compounds that help to expel gas from the digestive tract, reducing the frequency and discomfort of belching.
• Lozenges: Lozenges made from the dried roots of Zingiber officinale (ginger) help with burping by releasing compounds that help to relax the muscles in the digestive tract, reducing spasms and the resulting belching.
• Salve: A salve made from the leaves of Mentha piperita (peppermint) helps with burping by releasing menthol, which helps to relax the muscles in the digestive tract and reduce spasms, thereby reducing belching.
• Suppository: A suppository made from the dried roots of Valeriana officinalis (valerian) helps with burping by releasing compounds that help to relax the muscles in the digestive tract, reducing spasms and the resulting belching.
• Capsules: Capsules containing the dried seeds of Coriandrum sativum (coriander) help with burping by releasing carminative compounds that help to expel gas from the digestive tract, reducing the frequency and discomfort of belching.
• Gummies: Gummies made from the dried roots of Zingiber officinale (ginger) help with burping by releasing compounds that help to relax the muscles in the digestive tract, reducing spasms and the resulting belching.
• Pills: Pills made from the dried seeds of Carum carvi (caraway) help with burping by releasing carminative compounds that help to expel gas from the digestive tract, reducing the frequency and discomfort of belching.
• Tea: A tea made from the leaves of Mentha piperita (peppermint) helps with burping by releasing menthol, which helps to relax the muscles in the digestive tract and reduce spasms, thereby reducing belching.