Heartburn Remedies available at Home for Natural Cure

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Heartburn is a common stomach discomfort which affects an estimated 20 percent of people at least once a week. It can be an aggravating experience, if you suffer from chronic heartburn. Heartburn is a burning sensation and severe pain in the stomach and chest, due to acid that flows up into the esophagus producing a burning sensation and discomfort. A person’s body requires stomach acid for digestion. Normally, stomach acid is kept in the stomach, where it belongs, by the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). In the body, LES functions as a doorway to the stomach opening to allow food enter. However, it keeps stomach acid in at the same time. Heartburn takes place when the LES fails to keep the acid in. Here are some natural home remedies for heartburn.

Sometimes, heartburn is referred to as acid reflux, also called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). GERD is a different condition though similar to heartburn. Heartburn is also known by different names such as indigestion, bloating, borborygmus and dyspepsia, results from excessive acid in stomach. Normally, blood is 20% acid and 80% alkali. When the proportion of acid in the blood increases, it affects the digestive system in the body causing acidity and heartburn.

Causes of heartburn:

Sleep disorder
Alcohol intake
Rich and spicy foods
Improper chewing of food, having large meals, and eating hurriedly
Stress
Certain antidepressants and sedatives
Improper gaps between meals and eating right before going to bed
Force exerted by uterus on the digestive area and hormone imbalance during pregnancy
Constipation, irritable bowel movement
Smoking
Having disproportionate amounts of carbonated beverages such as cold drinks and soda
Certain diseases that weaken the esophageal muscle, such as scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disease, or hiatal hernias
Unnecessary pressure on digestive tract of overweight people

Symptoms of heartburn:

Burning sensation and pain in the upper-abdomen, it moves up into the chest and then to the neck and back of the throat
Bitter gastric juices regurgitate and there is belching
Generally, they take place when you are lying down or after you eat
When you lie down discomfort usually worsens
Nausea in some cases

Home remedies for heartburn:

Chamomile Tea:

Chamomile tea helps to neutralize stomach acid. Also, it has stress relieving property.

Apple Cider Vinegar:

Many people have reported that natural apple cider vinegar works to relieve acidity. Apple cider vinegar can be taken in tablet, capsule, or liquid form.

Ginger:

To treat heartburn, fresh ginger is used as one of the oldest home remedies. Fresh ginger is also used to help treat nausea. You can also consume ginger as ginger tea, or by adding it to food when it’s cooked.

Aloe Vera Juice:

The aloe vera juice has been used to soothe an irritated esophagus. To relive heartburn, aloe vera juice has a long history of use in Europe as a natural home remedy. Remember that you should only use aloe vera juice that has been specifically prepared for internal use.

Turmeric:

Turmeric helps to stimulate digestion and stop acid build-up. It is mostly used in curried foods. If you don’t want to use turmeric in your cooking, you can consume it in capsule form before meals.

Milk:

Milk helps to coat your stomach lining and brings pain relief to the burning sensation you feel with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Some people are lactose intolerant, so if you are, consider using one of these other methods.

Baking Soda:

It is one of the great natural heartburn remedies due to its alkalinity. This alkaline water helps to offset the excess acid that is working overtime helping to create your heartburn. If you dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in 8 ounces of water, it can neutralize acid and temporarily alleviate heartburn caused by acid reflux.

Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL):

DGL is available in chewable tablets or capsules that you can take by dissolving in water or by chewing. Don’t use DGL if you have been diagnosed with hypertension and/or are getting medicine for hypertension.

Cut on Sugar and carbohydrates:

Take lesser carbohydrates and low sugar index fruits only. When more sugar is consumed, it forms more of acid so be careful with the fruits you eat. Avocado, apples, banana, melon, walnuts, almonds, tofu, sweet potato, fish, grilled chicken etc. are easier on your stomach. Particularly, bananas have defensive action against acidity and heart burn.

Some other home remedies:

Coconut water and fruit pulp of coconut works well on gastric irritation. Consume this to deal with heartburn.
Take fresh juice of amla and add some sugar (for taste) to it. Drink it on empty stomach for amazingly better results.
Vinegar is famous home remedy for heartburn. Take ½ teaspoon of vinegar when you feel heartburn.
Take Ginger powder, hing, black pepper, anise seeds, cumin, fenel, coriander seeds and common salt in equal amount. Mix these and have 2 times daily to fight against heartburn.
By elevating the head of the bed, you can protect your esophagus. Sleeping in this position helps in keeping the stomach contents in their relevant position.
Take a glass of water and add 5gm Sandal to it. Mix well and boil till 15 minutes. For instant relief, have decoction of sandal three times daily.
Don’t lie down immediately after having a meal. It invites many troubles. Have your meals at least an hour before going to bed. Stay upright during this time.
Drink plenty of water because it helps in counteracting the side effects of excessive intake of fiber.
Basil leaves are good for fighting against heartburn. Chew fresh basil leaves to fight against heartburn.
Make a juice using raw potatoes. Wash the potato very well do not peel it, just place it in the juicer, mix it with some other juice for taste and drink immediately after juicing.
Drink a 1 tsp juice of chebulic myrobalan (haritika) mixed with 1 tsp of Emblica Officinalis (amla) juice daily.

Diet for Hyperacidity problem:

For people with hyperacidity problem, apple, watermelon and banana fruits are recommended.
Don’t skip any meals and take your meals regularly on time.
Avoid garlic, onion, pepper, radish and cabbage.
Avoid fried food, pickle, hot and spicy food.
Drink plenty of water.
Avoid unripe fruits.
Include plenty of green and leafy vegetables in your diet.
Do not haste while eating, always chew your food properly.

Prevention of heartburn:

Don’t eat large meals before going to sleep. After eating stay upright for several hours.
Alcohol intake should be kept to a minimum and smoking should be avoided.
If you get heartburn every time you lie down, raise your bed by 6 inches in the head region.
After a hearty meal, loosen your belt to prevent squeezing of the stomach.
Fatty and acidic foods like grapes, oranges, tomatoes, red wine, peppermints, chocolates and greasy or fried meat, should be avoided.
Asthma medications, antihistamines, antihypertensives, birth control pills and sedatives may aggravate heartburn.
Lose weight if you are obese.
Heartburn due to stress can be reduced by regular exercise, relaxation techniques and through professional techniques.
Eat frequent smaller meals, so that acid production is kept under control.
Avoid constipation, because straining during bowel movements can increase abdominal pressure and encourage heartburn.
Caffeine in chocolate, coffee, tea and soda can increase the production of stomach acid.
Milk is not an antidote to heartburn, because it lacks buffering action and eventually will produce more acid.