While it might not be the most pleasant topic, it’s completely normal for people to pass gas, averaging around 14 times a day, as reported by John Hopkins University.
Although occasional gas is usually not a cause for concern, excessive amounts of trapped gas in the digestive system can lead to discomfort.
This can result in symptoms like bloating, abdominal discomfort, belching, and flatulence.
To better understand trapped gas, it occurs when gas accumulates in the stomach or intestines, causing discomfort, bloating, and even pain, according to Dr. Laura Purdy, a board-certified family physician in Nashville.
The symptoms of trapped gas include belching, flatulence, and stomach gurgling, as noted by Dr. Purdy. Additional signs may include burping, bloating, and abdominal swelling.
So what actually works fast when your belly feels like it’s been pumped full of air?
This guide walks you through 10 gas relief remedies that get the job done, some natural, some from the pharmacy aisle, all handpicked because they actually help when your stomach is staging a protest.
Quick Relief from Trapped Gas: Home Remedies
1. Simethicone: Pop the Bubble, Pop the Relief
Best for: Sudden, intense bloating after meals
Try this: Gas-X Extra Strength Softgels on Amazon
Let’s start with the over-the-counter go-to that doesn’t mess around.
Simethicone is that friend who shows up, breaks up the gas bubbles in your gut, and quietly disappears, no drama, no mess.
Gas-X softgels or chewables are fast-acting, easy to take, and safe even for pregnant women (but always double-check with your doctor).
If you’ve ever felt pressure building in your chest or belly after eating too fast or indulging in something greasy, simethicone kicks in within minutes.
It’s not solving your gut health, but it is solving your immediate problem, and sometimes that’s all you want.
Heads-up: It works best when the bloating is from swallowed air or fizzy drinks. If your gut issues are more food-related or recurring, this isn’t a long-term fix.
2. Peppermint Oil Capsules: The Cool-Headed Gut Soother
Best for: Cramping, IBS-related bloating
Try this: Now Foods Peppermint Gels with Ginger
You know what? Peppermint isn’t just for breath mints and candy canes.
When it comes to calming your intestines, peppermint oil is like a spa day for your stomach lining.
These capsules are coated so they don’t dissolve until they hit your intestines (important, otherwise you’ll just burp mint).
Once there, peppermint oil acts as a natural muscle relaxant. It soothes spasms and helps gas trapped in your intestines move along.
People with IBS often swear by it. Just don’t take it if you have reflux issues—it can loosen the muscle that keeps acid in your stomach where it belongs.
Pro tip: Take it before meals on an empty stomach, and don’t mix with antacids (they can break down the coating too early).
3. Activated Charcoal: Gas’s Worst Enemy (Sometimes)
Best for: Trapped gas, occasional digestive overload
Try this: Source Naturals Activated Charcoal Capsules
Charcoal for your stomach? Yep—just not the kind you toss on a grill. Activated charcoal has millions of microscopic pores that trap gas and toxins before they can cause trouble.
It’s especially useful after eating something you probably shouldn’t have, like gas-triggering fast food or sugar alcohols.
That said, this remedy is a little controversial. Some doctors love it; others say it’s hit or miss.
Just be careful: It can interfere with medications and vitamins. So don’t take it daily, and definitely don’t take it within two hours of other meds.
And yes, it may turn your poop gray. Totally normal. Slightly alarming.
4. Fennel Seeds: Tiny, Crunchy Gas-Fighters
Best for: Mild bloating after meals
Try this: Starwest Botanicals Organic Fennel Seed
Ask any South Asian grandma, and she’ll tell you: fennel seeds after a meal keep the bloat away.
Chewing fennel or steeping it into tea can help relax your digestive tract and prevent fermentation in your gut aka the bubbling cauldron of gas waiting to erupt.
You’ll often see fennel seed at Indian restaurants in colorful sugar-coated form (called mukhwas).
That’s not just for flavor it’s been a traditional digestive aid for centuries.
Try it this way: Brew a teaspoon in hot water for 10 minutes, then sip slowly after eating. Or chew half a teaspoon raw post-meal.
You may smell like licorice but your gut will thank you.
5. Ginger: The Root That Knows What It’s Doing
Best for: Gas from slow digestion or nausea
Try this: Traditional Medicinals Organic Ginger Tea
Ginger doesn’t just warm your throat it gets things moving in your gut too.
It boosts digestive speed, reduces inflammation, and helps your body absorb nutrients more efficiently so food doesn’t linger and ferment.
You can grate it fresh into tea, suck on ginger chews, or pop a tea bag into hot water. It’s especially useful if your gas comes with queasiness or cramping.
And if you’ve ever been pregnant or car sick, you already know how magical ginger can be.
Pro tip: Add a squeeze of lemon or a little honey to round out the flavor. Or keep ginger chews in your bag for post-lunch emergencies.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar: Love It or Hate It, It Works for Some
Best for: Low-stomach-acid-related bloating
Try this: FarmHaven Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules
Let’s be real apple cider vinegar tastes like a dare.
But if your gas is caused by slow digestion or too little stomach acid, a tablespoon diluted in water before meals can work surprisingly well.
ACV helps preemptively kickstart digestion, so food doesn’t sit in your stomach fermenting. Some people find it life-changing. Others? Can’t stand the smell, let alone the taste.
Important: Always dilute it in water straight vinegar can damage your tooth enamel and burn your throat. And don’t go overboard. Start with 1 tsp in 8 oz of water before your heaviest meal.
7. Digestive Enzymes: Cheat Codes for Hard-to-Digest Foods
Best for: Big meals, food intolerances
Try this: Eat Anything RX Digestive Enzymes
Let’s say you love mac and cheese, but mac and cheese doesn’t love you back. Digestive enzymes can help you meet in the middle.
These supplements provide your body with what it might be lacking—like lactase (for lactose), protease (for protein), and lipase (for fat).
If your body can’t break something down efficiently, it ferments. That’s where the gas comes from.
Take enzymes right before you eat, especially if it’s a heavy or complex meal. You’ll be shocked at how much of a difference it makes with gassy foods like beans, dairy, or anything fried.
Note: This isn’t a fix for chronic digestive issues, but for occasional relief? Solid choice.
8. Probiotics: Build a Better Gut Over Time
Best for: Recurring bloating, imbalance-related gas
Try this: Culturelle Daily Digestive Health Probiotic
Probiotics are like the gardeners of your gut planting good bacteria to crowd out the bad. If your gut microbiome is off, even healthy foods can trigger gas.
Some probiotic strains are better than others for bloating: look for Bifidobacterium infantis or Lactobacillus plantarum.
While these aren’t fast in the same way as, say, simethicone, they work steadily over days or weeks to reduce your gas overall.
Helpful tip: Start slow. Your gut may get gassier before it gets better while adjusting.
9. Gentle Movement: Your Gut Loves a Little Wiggle
Best for: Trapped gas that needs encouragement
Try this: A 10-minute walk or the yoga “wind-relieving pose” (yes, it’s a thing)
Sometimes you don’t need a pill or a potion just movement. Gas often gets stuck in your intestines, and a short walk or stretch can physically help move it along.
Ever noticed how babies get gas relief after tummy time or gentle leg bicycles? The same concept applies.
Try lying on your back and hugging one knee to your chest at a time. It’s not glamorous, but it’s weirdly effective.
Bonus: Walking after meals also improves blood sugar and reduces bloating.
10. Heating Pads: Warm It Up, Let It Go
Best for: Painful gas or cramping
Try this: Pure Enrichment PureRelief XL Heating Pad PEHPAD24
There’s something about heat that calms everything down.
A warm compress relaxes your abdominal muscles and can help trapped gas escape, especially if your bloating is painful.
Use a microwaveable heating pad or even a warm water bottle and place it over your lower belly while you lay on your side.
Combine with tea or light movement for a gentle combo that feels like care instead of desperation.
Tip: If you’re bloated at bedtime, this is one of the most comforting ways to relax into sleep.
When It’s More Than Just Gas…
Most of the time, gas is annoying but harmless. Still, if it’s paired with persistent pain, nausea, sudden weight loss, or blood in your stooldon’t mess around.
Talk to a doctor. There could be something deeper going on, like SIBO, celiac disease, or a food allergy.
If you’re bloated every day, try a food journal. You might discover sneaky triggers like sugar alcohols, dairy, onions, or carbonated drinks.
The Wrap-Up: You’ve Got More Than One Option
Some people swear by tea and yoga. Others need the quick-fire relief of a Gas-X. The trick is figuring out what works best for your body.
Mix and match. Keep a few of these options on hand so you’re not caught off guard.
And don’t be embarrassed literally everyone deals with gas. It’s just that most of us wait until it’s unbearable to do something about it.
Consider this your gentle permission slip to get ahead of the bloat before your stomach turns into a hot air balloon.