Stomach Cramps: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Stomach cramps, also known as abdominal cramps or stomach spasms, are intense, sharp pains in the abdomen, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

These cramps are usually caused by digestive issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), food poisoning, or eating spoiled or spicy foods. If left untreated, stomach cramps can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and even organ damage. To relieve stomach cramps, herbal remedies like ginger, peppermint, and chamomile can be consumed as teas or added to meals.

Precautions include consulting a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, especially if pregnant or breastfeeding, and monitoring for allergic reactions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of stomach cramps, 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 stomach cramps?

The main causes of stomach cramps are often attributed to muscle contractions in the gastrointestinal tract, which can be triggered by various factors.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a common gastrointestinal disorder, is characterized by recurring abdominal pain and cramping due to altered bowel habits and hypersensitivity to food. Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, can also cause stomach cramps due to chronic inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining. Other potential causes include food poisoning from bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, as well as infections like viral gastroenteritis and appendicitis.

Additionally, hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause can also lead to stomach cramps in some individuals.

• Food Poisoning: Food poisoning is a leading cause of stomach cramps due to the consumption of contaminated or spoiled food that contains toxins, bacteria, or viruses, which can cause inflammation and irritation in the stomach lining.
• Constipation: Constipation is a common cause of stomach cramps due to the accumulation of hard, dry feces in the rectum, which can put pressure on the abdominal muscles and cause pain.
• Menstruation: Menstruation is a common cause of stomach cramps due to the contraction of the uterine muscles, which can cause pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic cause of stomach cramps due to inflammation and irritation of the digestive tract, which can cause pain and discomfort.
• Diverticulitis: Diverticulitis is a cause of stomach cramps due to the inflammation of diverticula, small pouches in the wall of the colon, which can cause pain and infection.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a cause of stomach cramps due to the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus, which can cause inflammation and irritation of the esophageal lining.
• Appendicitis: Appendicitis is a cause of stomach cramps due to the inflammation of the appendix, which can cause pain and infection in the lower right abdomen.
• Kidney Stones: Kidney stones are a cause of stomach cramps due to the formation of small, hard stones in the kidneys, which can cause pain and discomfort in the back and abdomen.
• Hernia: Hernia is a cause of stomach cramps due to the protrusion of an organ or tissue through a weakened area in the abdominal wall, which can cause pain and discomfort.
• Spinal Problems: Spinal problems, such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis, are a cause of stomach cramps due to the compression of nerves that supply the abdominal muscles, which can cause pain and discomfort.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for stomach cramps?

The main medicinal herbs used for stomach cramps are Zingiber officinale, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Foeniculum vulgare, Cinchona officinalis, Mentha x piperita, Aloe barbadensis, Artemisia absinthium, Matricaria chamomilla, Curcuma longa, Aloe vera.

Zingiber officinale contains gingerol which inhibits prostaglandin synthesis, reducing inflammation and pain. Glycyrrhiza glabra's saponins have anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the stomach lining, while Foeniculum vulgare's anethole reduces spasms and cramps. Cinchona officinalis' quinine has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects that alleviate pain, while Mentha x piperita's menthol relaxes smooth muscle and reduces cramping.

Aloe barbadensis, Curcuma longa, Artemisia absinthium, and Matricaria chamomilla exert anti-inflammatory effects, while Aloe vera's aloe-emodin reduces spasms, all contributing to relief from stomach cramps.

• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, helps with stomach cramps due to its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to inhibit the production of prostaglandins, which are hormone-like substances that cause pain and inflammation in the digestive tract.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra, also known as licorice root, helps with stomach cramps by inhibiting the production of stomach acid and soothing the mucous membranes in the digestive tract, which reduces inflammation and irritation.
• Foeniculum vulgare: Foeniculum vulgare, or fennel, helps with stomach cramps by relaxing the muscles in the digestive tract and reducing the production of stomach acid, which helps to ease cramping and discomfort.
• Cinchona officinalis: Cinchona officinalis, also known as cinchona bark, helps with stomach cramps by reducing inflammation and relieving spasms in the digestive tract due to its quinine content, which has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
• Mentha x piperita: Mentha x piperita, or peppermint, helps with stomach cramps by relaxing the muscles in the digestive tract and reducing inflammation, which eases cramping and discomfort, and its menthol content also helps to numb the area and reduce pain.
• Aloe barbadensis: Aloe barbadensis, also known as aloe vera, helps with stomach cramps by soothing and calming the mucous membranes in the digestive tract, reducing inflammation and irritation, and its anti-inflammatory properties also help to relieve pain and discomfort.
• Artemisia absinthium: Artemisia absinthium, or wormwood, helps with stomach cramps by reducing inflammation and relieving spasms in the digestive tract due to its thujone content, which has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
• Matricaria chamomilla: Matricaria chamomilla, or chamomile, helps with stomach cramps by soothing and calming the mucous membranes in the digestive tract, reducing inflammation and irritation, and its anti-inflammatory properties also help to relieve pain and discomfort.
• Curcuma longa: Curcuma longa, or turmeric, helps with stomach cramps by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, which are hormone-like substances that cause pain and inflammation in the digestive tract, and its anti-inflammatory properties also help to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
• Aloe vera: Aloe vera, or Aloe barbadensis, helps with stomach cramps by soothing and calming the mucous membranes in the digestive tract, reducing inflammation and irritation, and its anti-inflammatory properties also help to relieve pain and discomfort.

What are the main herbal preparations used for stomach cramps?

The main herbal preparations used for stomach cramps are Decoction, Tincture, Salve, Poultice, Suppository, Capsule, Gel, Ointment, Elixir, Cream.

Decoction is a liquid solution of herbs, often peppermint, ginger, or chamomile, steeped in water to ease cramps and inflammation. Tincture is a concentrated extract of herbs, such as meadowsweet or ginger, mixed with a solvent like ethanol to quickly relieve stomach cramps. Salve, Poultice, and Suppository are topical preparations, using herbs like chamomile or calendula, applied directly to the abdomen to soothe and relax the muscles.

Capsule, Gel, Ointment, Elixir, and Cream formulations often combine herbs like peppermint, ginger, or fennel with other ingredients, such as aloe vera or glycerin, to provide long-lasting relief from stomach cramps, reduce inflammation, and promote digestion.

• Decoction: A decoction of the roots of the plant Valeriana officinalis helps with stomach cramps by releasing its bioactive compounds, including valerenic acid, which have antispasmodic properties that help to relax the smooth muscle in the stomach and reduce cramping.
• Tincture: A tincture of the leaves of the plant Peppermint (Mentha piperita) helps with stomach cramps by releasing its essential oils, including menthol and menthone, which have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that help to numb the pain and reduce inflammation in the stomach.
• Salve: A salve of the roots of the plant Calendula (Calendula officinalis) helps with stomach cramps by providing a protective barrier to the stomach lining, reducing inflammation and irritation caused by stomach cramps.
• Poultice: A poultice of the roots of the plant Ginger (Zingiber officinale) helps with stomach cramps by applying heat and pressure to the stomach area, which helps to relax the smooth muscle and reduce cramping.
• Suppository: A suppository of the bark of the plant Cascara sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana) helps with stomach cramps by releasing its anthraquinones, which help to stimulate bowel movements and relieve constipation, a common cause of stomach cramps.
• Capsule: A capsule of the seeds of the plant Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) helps with stomach cramps by releasing its essential oils, including fenchone and anethole, which have antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties that help to relax the smooth muscle and reduce inflammation in the stomach.
• Gel: A gel of the leaves of the plant Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) helps with stomach cramps by releasing its flavonoids and terpenoids, which have anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties that help to reduce inflammation and relax the smooth muscle in the stomach.
• Ointment: An ointment of the roots of the plant Turmeric (Curcuma longa) helps with stomach cramps by releasing its curcuminoids, which have anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties that help to reduce inflammation and relax the smooth muscle in the stomach.
• Elixir: An elixir of the flowers of the plant Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) helps with stomach cramps by releasing its alkaloids, including harmine and harmaline, which have antispasmodic and sedative properties that help to relax the smooth muscle and reduce cramping.
• Cream: A cream of the roots of the plant Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) helps with stomach cramps by releasing its glycoproteins, which have anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that help to reduce inflammation and irritation in the stomach.