16 Ways to Relieve Gas Immediately

Home remedies and OTC meds can help pain and bloating

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There are a few ways to quickly remove gas from your stomach, such as over-the-counter medications like simethicone, activated charcoal, and herbal remedies made from ginger or anise. 

This article discusses the effectiveness of some of the remedies people turn to to instantly remove gas. It also talks about ways to prevent gas.

Quick Tips for Gas Pain Relief

Verywell / Joshua Seong

Remedies to Relieve Gas

Several natural remedies and over-the-counter medications can help relieve gas quickly. Things that may be helpful include:

In order to relieve gas and bloating, you will need to get yourself to fart or burp. You can try a few different things to help get rid of gas naturally, some of which may work better for you than others.

Don't Hold Gas In

If your symptoms are related to trapped gas, don't worry about modesty. Instead, go to a private place and let out a big burp. Or find a bathroom and relieve yourself. The less gas there is in your system, the less likely it will cause you pain.

Move Your Bowels

If you can have a bowel movement, do it. Don't wait until you are in the comfort of your own home. In the end, having a bowel movement will help in two ways:

  • It gets the muscles in your large intestines moving. This will encourage the gas to make its way out of your system.
  • A ​bowel movement empties the rectum of any stored stool. This frees up the area so that the trapped intestinal gas can move.

Herbal Tea

Spearmint, ginger, and anise teas are all known to help get rid of gas naturally. That said, avoid anise if you have recurring diarrhea since it may have a mild laxative effect. This can, however, be helpful if you think constipation might be adding to your gas pains.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is another natural ingredient used by many people to relieve gas, bloating, and indigestion. Simply add 1 tablespoon of ACV to a cup of tea or warm water. You can drink this mixture regularly or any time you feel gassy.

Fennel Seeds

Fennel seeds are known for relieving intestinal gas naturally. A safe amount is thought to be approximately 1 teaspoon. Try chewing some seeds and see if they are helpful.

There is mixed information regarding the safety of eating extra fennel when pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it may be best to play it safe and choose a different option to get rid of gas.

Peppermint Supplements

Peppermint supplements are often used to treat gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating and gas. Look for peppermint oil in enteric-coated capsules. You can also try eating candies made with real peppermint.

Peppermint may prevent your body from absorbing iron, so don't take it with an iron supplement or if you are anemic.

Ginger 

Ginger helps reduce fermentation in the stomach, which may relieve gas and bloating. You can drink ginger as a tea or take ginger supplements. The best way to consume ginger is in your food. Try adding it to savory dishes, or eat slices of pickled ginger. 

Baking Soda

Baking soda can help neutralize stomach acid, which may relieve painful bloating. Try drinking an 8-ounce glass of water with 1/2 teaspoon of dissolved baking soda.

It is important not to use this remedy for the long term or to take more than 1/2 teaspoon at a time, since dangerous side effects can occur such as dehydration or a ruptured stomach.

Massage

Try gently massaging your abdomen. This can stimulate your digestive system and help gas move down and out of your body.

Press down gently on the painful area and rub in circular motions in the direction of your colon.

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is porous, meaning it contains small spaces that help trap gas. Taking activated charcoal before or after meals may help prevent painful gas.

Activated charcoal may result in constipation, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. Thus, its use is somewhat controversial within the medical community. However, you may be able to reduce these side effects by starting out with small doses.

If you try activated charcoal, you may find that it turns your stool black. However, black stools from charcoal supplements are not concerning.

Clove Oil

Clove oil may help relieve gas, bloating, and indigestion. Try taking a clove oil capsule after meals to increase digestive enzymes and reduce the production of gas. 

Heat

Heat can be very emotionally soothing. In addition, heat helps to relax the muscles in your gut and relieves pain. You can use a heating pad or hot water bottle, or relax in a hot bath to get rid of gas and gas pain.

If you use a heating pad or hot water bottle, put a layer of clothing between your bare skin and the heat to protect your skin from a burn. If you have frequent gas pain, consider taking a heating pad with you to work.

Walking

Gentle exercise can help ease gas pain. Walking is the easiest option since you can do it practically anytime, anywhere.

Walking helps to relax the muscles in your abdomen. These relaxed muscles can help trapped gas escape.

Yoga

Yoga is another great option if you have space and privacy. Several yoga poses, such as child's pose (balasana) and happy baby (ananda balasana), are known for helping trapped gas move through the intestines.

Deep Breathing

Deep breathing may help relieve gas, but you will need to practice before you'll be able to use this technique.

  1. Start by lying down and closing your eyes.
  2. Put one hand on your chest and the other one on your abdomen.
  3. Inhale through your nose for four seconds, hold your breath for two seconds, then exhale for six seconds.
  4. Your abdomen should expand when you breathe in. Try to make the hand on your abdomen rise while the hand on your chest remains still.
  5. Keep doing this for five to 15 minutes, or until you begin to feel relief.

Since deep breathing from the diaphragm is so effective for reducing stress, it's worth taking the time to learn how to do it. You can then use this breathing technique as needed for future gas attacks. With practice, you will be able to do it wherever you are, in any position.

Why Is Trapped Gas So Painful?

Trapped gas is painful because it creates pressure in your digestive tract. Gas that builds up in your stomach or in the left side of your colon (large intestine) can feel like chest pain. Gas that builds up on the right side of your colon can feel like gallstone or appendicitis pain.

OTC Gas Medication

Some people find that over-the-counter (OTC) products, such as simethicone and Beano are helpful for relieving gas.

Brand names for simethicone include:

  • Maalox Anti-Gas
  • Mylanta Gas
  • Gas-X
  • Phazyme

Beano contains the digestive enzyme alpha-galactosidase, which may help if you are prone to developing gas after you eat beans or certain kinds of vegetables. If you get gas after drinking milk or eating dairy products, try taking Lactaid, which contains a digestive enzyme called lactase.

As with any OTC product, check with your healthcare provider before use. Beano breaks down indigestible sugars into simpler sugars, which may be a concern if you have diabetes. Additionally, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid many OTC products.


Prevention

Once you find a way to relieve your gas pain, try to identify what might have been the cause. That way, you can avoid future problems.

The most common culprit of gas is swallowing too much air. To prevent excessive air swallowing, avoid these things:

  • Chewing gum
  • Drinking soda and other fizzy drinks
  • Eating or drinking too quickly
  • Talking while eating
  • Drinking through a straw
  • Smoking

Diet

Changing your diet can also help prevent gas problems. Since high-fiber foods can contribute to gas, you may be tempted to cut them out of your diet. However, your gut needs fiber to function well, and high-fiber foods contain essential vitamins and minerals. So moderation is your best bet.

Some examples of high-fiber foods include:

  • Vegetables (especially asparagus, artichokes, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, corn, and potatoes)
  • Lentils
  • Kidneys beans
  • Peas
  • Certain fruits (for example, apples, peaches, pears, bananas, raspberries, and strawberries)
  • Whole grains

Dairy products such as milk, cheese, ice cream, and yogurt may also contribute to extra gas for some people. So can fruit juices and sugar-free candies that contain sorbitol, mannitol, or xylitol.

It's a good idea to keep a food diary since everyone is different. What may cause gas in one person won't in another.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If your gas makes you uncomfortable, working with your healthcare provider to find out the cause is key to relief.

If weight loss, constipation, or diarrhea accompany your gas pain, be sure to contact your healthcare provider.

Summary

For milder gas, there are some things you can do to relieve your symptoms at home. Relieving yourself as soon as you need to pass gas or have a bowel movement, walking, applying heat, and taking deep breaths can all help relieve gas pain.

You may also find OTC remedies and supplements helpful. But talk to your healthcare provider before taking them to be sure they are safe for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can certain foods help get rid of gas?

    Drinking tea and chewing fennel seeds might provide relief from uncomfortable gas. However, avoiding certain foods may help you avoid gas if you are sensitive to sugars known as FODMAPs. These are foods that quickly ferment in the colon, such as dairy, fructose, and high-fiber foods.

  • Are there herbal treatments that help with bloating?

    Yes. Herbal treatments such as peppermint, chamomile tea, anise, caraway, coriander, fennel, and turmeric may help relieve bloating.

  • How long does gas pain last?

    Gas pain shouldn't last more than a few hours. Contact your healthcare provider if your pain does not improve within 24 to 48 hours, or if you have bloating for more than two days.

12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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  5. Johns Hopkins Medicine. How to get rid of gas pain.

  6. University of Michigan Medicine. Diaphragmatic breathing for GI patients.

  7. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Gas in the digestive tract.

  8. UCLA Health. Does activated charcoal help with gas and bloating?

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  10. NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms & causes of gas in the digestive tract.

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Additional Reading

By Barbara Bolen, PhD
Barbara Bolen, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and health coach. She has written multiple books focused on living with irritable bowel syndrome.