If you eat or drink too much too quickly, you are also likely to be swallowing large amounts of air without realizing it. The same thing happens when you chew gum. To relieve the resulting uncomfortable feeling of fullness, you belch.

Early Americans treated this discomfiting problem with the use of herbal digestive aids. Some doctors still recommend the Native American practice of drinking wild bergamot tea to alleviate gas.

To prevent belching, make mealtime as relaxing as possible. Try to eat and drink slowly, which will give your digestive system time to work; some doctors recommend waiting a minute between bites. Cut down on or eliminate beer, soda, sparkling wine, and hard cider, and do not chew gum. In some cases, excessive belching is caused by an enzyme deficiency--usually of lactase (the enzyme that metabolizes lactose); the problem can be corrected with enzyme-replacement drops, sold at pharmacies.

Chronic belching can sometimes signal a stomach ulcer or gallbladder disease. If belching is excessive or you have abdominal pain, consult a doctor.

Herbal Remedies

Ginger Ginger is a traditional tonic for the intestinal muscles. Stir a few slices of fresh ginger into a cup of boiling water and add honey if desired. Drink after meals to relieve gas. Or, for a delicious and often effective treat, you can eat candied or crystallized ginger. But people with gallstones should always avoid using ginger, and it should be used only for short periods during pregnancy.

Anise In folk tradition, anise was used as protection against the evil eye. Today its widest uses are as a flavoring and a carminative, or gas reliever. To control belching, drink a cup of anise tea after a meal. To prepare it, steep 1 teaspoon of ground aniseed in 1 cup of boiling water. Let steep for a few minutes, then strain. Drink the tea slowly.

Chamomile Here is an old folk standby for treating digestive problems. If you grow chamomile in your herb garden, use the just-picked flowers to prepare a tea. Mince a few flowers, place 1 to 2 teaspoons in a cup, and add 1 cup boiling water. Let steep for 5 to 10 minutes, then strain. Alternatively, use store-bought chamomile tea bags.

Cinnamon This spice is a common and flavorful folk remedy for indigestion. To make a tea, steep 1 teaspoon or less of the ground inner bark in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 minutes, then strain. Drink with meals. Cinnamon preparations should not be used in large amounts by pregnant women or people with stomach ulcers.

Tip: Mother Was Right

The ginger ale that your mother gave you to quell nausea may have provided more than a comforting sense of loving care. In the 1980s scientists reported that ginger prevented motion sickness.