Heartburn is a condition in which the stomach acids move back up into the oesophagus and cause an unpleasant and burning sensation in the stomach. It can be indicative of something more serious like GERD (Gastro oesophageal reflux disease). It can occur due to a faulty diet, poor lifestyle or even have a genetic component to it.
While antacids go a long way in giving relief from heartburn, there are some natural cures and alternative remedies, which may help to give comfort to an ailing patient.
Natural Ways to Cure Heartburn
Eat Smaller Meals
The best way to tackle heartburn is to eat smaller, evenly spaced out meals throughout the day. This prevents the stomach from being overloaded with food. The more the food, the more the acids produced in the stomach. This will eventually lead to a greater severity of heartburn.
Stay Up on your Feet
Try to remain active most of the day. It is also important to not hit the bed soon after a meal as this can push the stomach juices back up in the oesophagus and cause a severe heartburn. Gravity will ensure that your stomach juices stay where they are.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is known to be an effective natural cure for treating heartburn. Chamomile tea contains properties, which help to soothe and calm the stomach lining and reduce gastric irritation, which is caused by heartburn.
Milk
It has been said that milk is an effective natural cure for the treatment of heartburn. Milk contains tryptophan, which induces sleep and prevents the excess secretion of bile and other stomach acids. Drink no more than 8 ounces of milk in between meals.
Chewing Gum
Chewing on some sugarless gum helps to alleviate heartburn by increasing the production of saliva, which in turn dilutes the stomach acids. In addition to this, the repeated swallowing you do with gum allows the nasty acids to be pushed back into the stomach without coming back to the surface.
Drink Enough Water
Water is one of the best natural cures for almost all ailments. Drinking enough water promotes easy digestion and helps the stomach acids to be well diluted.
Lose the Excess Flab
Make sure you lose the excess flab that may have accumulated around your waist. Excess abdominal fat seen around the waist can put undue pressure on the intestines and the stomach and this can cause the stomach acids to flow back up into the oesophagus.
Exercise
Keep your digestive juices flowing optimally by engaging in moderate physical activity daily. Exercise speeds up digestion, makes the digestive process smooth and prevents stomach acids from causing undue discomfort.
Toss the Cigarettes
If you are a smoker, you are asking for serious trouble. Smoking can aggravate heartburn and lead to very severe bouts. The nicotine found in cigarettes destroys the stomach lining and triggers production of stomach acids. Ban smoking if you are suffering from heartburn.
Probiotics
Probiotics are the active cultures of good bacteria found in dairy like yoghurt. These days companies are coming out with probiotic enriched dairy like yoghurt.
Eat plenty of this yoghurt every day. Getting your daily dose of probiotics ensures that your gut remains healthy and the digestive processes remain smooth at all times.
Vitamin D
Try to get 20 minutes of the sun daily. Exposing the skin to the sun enhances the production of Vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D increases the production of 200 different types of peptides found in the body that help to remove any infection found in the stomach that could be causing the severe heartburn that you are experiencing.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a divine cure for a number of ailments and has been rightly christened as the king of home remedies. Take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar dissolved in one glass of water before each meal. This will help to calm the stomach and reduce the severity of the raging stomach acids. Repeat this treatment until you start to feel much better.
Baking Soda
Baking soda can be used to treat heartburn. However, it should be used judiciously as it can lead to elevated sodium levels in high blood pressure patients.
Speak to a doctor first before you decide to take baking soda. Just dissolve a small teaspoon of baking soda in water and drink this up.
Also Read
Natural Cure For Acid Reflux
Home Remedies For Stomach Pain
Natural Foods That Cure Heartburn
Natural Cure For Gas
Best Foods To Treat Heartburn
Aloe Vera Juice
The juice of the aloe Vera plant is said to ease heartburn and give relief from digestive ailments. It reduces the secretion of stomach acids and cures many digestive problems like colitis, diarrhea and bowel diseases. Take one ounce of pure aloe Vera juice and mix it well in 2 ounces of water. This should give you the much-needed relief from heartburn.
Liquorice
Liquorice has been used for centuries for giving relief from digestive ills. Take the herbal root liquorice, which is easily available at most herbal stores in the form of a tea or a tincture. It helps to coat the stomach lining and acts as a protective gel thus reducing the severity of the acids.
Slippery Elm
Slippery elm has been used as a natural and herbal remedy for centuries to treat symptoms of heartburn. The extract found from this tree helps to thicken the mucous lining in the stomach, thus preventing the corrosive effects of the acid and also not allowing the acids to move back up into the chest.
Have a couple of tablespoons of this herb dissolved in water before you hit the bed. Continue with this treatment for as long as possible.
Avoid the Triggers
If you are smart, you will know the foods and the offending culprits that trigger heartburn. These can be easily avoided and their intake kept to the bare minimum. These include foods like chocolates, cheese, wine, sweets and certain breads. Avoid the intake of spicy foods, oily foods and foods loaded in fats as they trigger the production of acids in the stomach. Consume fibrous foods like apples and pears, which keep the stomach healthy and rid you of symptoms of heartburn.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.