10 Home Remedies for Heartburn

Heartburn is a frequent problem that many individuals suffer from. It is a burning sensation in the chest that usually occurs after eating, drinking, or lying down. Before we dig into some of the most famous heartburn remedies, it is important to have a look at how heartburn happens.

Acid is present in our stomachs to break down food particles and aid digestion. Acid reflux occurs whenever any amount of acid rises up to the esophagus, resulting in heartburn.

Whenever we eat, there is a band of muscles present at the end of an esophagus called the sphincter. Now, this sphincter temporarily opens up to pave a way for the food to get inside the stomach for further digestion. So whenever this sphincter has loosened up, it leads to acid making its way from the sphincter opening, back to the esophagus, and causing heartburn.

It can be caused by overeating, eating spicy foods, or drinking alcohol. It can also be caused by an intolerance to certain foods, such as chocolate and tomato-based products.

Symptoms of Heartburn

Heartburn manifests itself in a variety of ways. For starters, you may have a searing discomfort in your chest. This generally occurs shortly after eating. Some people may feel this at night.

Furthermore, you have an acidic or bitter sensation on your tongue. Finally, when you bend or lie down in bed, the agony intensifies.

If you are having significant chest discomfort, you should contact a doctor right away. Some people may also have jaw and arm discomfort. Others may experience respiratory difficulties. If the problem is not addressed, these symptoms may lead to a heart attack.

If you are having any of the following symptoms, take immediate action.

• More than twice a week of heartburn
• Burning pain in the chest despite taking over-the-counter drugs
• Painful experience when swallowing
• Vomiting or nausea
• Difficulty while eating
• Poor appetite or extreme weight loss
• Inflammation in the throat
• Tightness in the chest
• Discomfort in stomach

While there are medications that can help, there are also some home remedies that can provide relief in a natural way. In this article, we'll take a look at 10 home remedies for heartburn that you can try in the comfort of your home.

  
What Can You Do About It? 

1. Water

Water is the most important element in life. Drinking water can help cure heartburn. The first thing you should do is to drink more water. Water is the best medicine for heartburn and it can also help you feel better by reducing your thirst.

The water will also help you to digest your food better and it will prevent constipation which is a common cause of heartburn. It is a natural remedy that has no side effects and can be easily found in any household.

People with heartburn often experience symptoms like a burning sensation in the chest, stomach pain, and nausea. Drinking water can help to reduce these symptoms and make them go away faster. Drink a glass of water before you eat your food to help dilute stomach acid and prevent it from rising up into your esophagus.
 

2. Baking Soda

Since the root cause of heartburn is acid, an alkaline substance is something that we can look for in our remedy to nullify acid’s effect.

When you have heartburn symptoms, try this simple home remedy: fill a glass with water, add a teaspoon of baking soda (also known as sodium bicarbonate), stir well, and drink it to relieve the burning sensation.

Although this remedy can provide immediate relief, it is not recommended to use it frequently or in large quantities.
 

3. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a natural herbal remedy that has been used for centuries to cure many ailments, including heartburn. Aloe vera is a plant that grows in the dry climates of Africa and the Middle East. The plant contains enzymes called aloins and minerals that are believed to promote healthy digestion by breaking down food and removing toxins from the body.

In addition, Aloe Vera contains minerals such as potassium which help balance out acid levels in the stomach.

Aloe Vera juice can help soothe the stomach and alleviate heartburn symptoms. It aids in the reduction of esophageal inflammation caused by excess acid. Before eating, drink half a cup of Aloe Vera juice. This will help to eliminate unnecessary heartburn symptoms.
 

4. Chewing Gum

  The first stage of digestion is chewing. It aids digestion by producing saliva, which is known to aid in the preliminary breakdown of food. So, the more saliva there is, the less effort the stomach has to exert in breaking down the food for digestion, implying that the stomach will secrete less acid.

   After meals, chewing gum can help prevent acid reflux and heartburn symptoms in addition to improving breath. According to a recent study, chewing gum after a large meal can lower the amount of acid in the esophagus and may help avoid gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

   Gum chewing may cause more frequent swallows, which would improve the esophageal clearance of reflux. It may help keep your stomach acid level low, preventing acid from reverting to the esophagus.
 

5. Bananas

Bananas are another natural remedy for heartburn. There are several ways you can use bananas to treat heartburn. One of the most popular methods is to eat a banana. Bananas have a high water content, which will help cool your body temperature down.

It is known that bananas have a low acid content. Water has a pH of 7, indicating that it is neutral. Anything with a lower pH value is acidic, whereas anything with a higher pH value is alkaline. A pH value lower by one on the pH scale implies the acidity is 10 times stronger, therefore even little pH decreases can result in a large increase in acidity.

The pH of the stomach should be between 1 and 4. It's already slightly acidic. The pH of the stomach is decreased when it secretes gastric acid, which is essential for food digestion.

Bananas are a good home remedy for heartburn for a few reasons. First, they are low in acidity, so they won’t aggravate your heartburn. Second, they contain natural antacids that can help to neutralize stomach acid. Moreover, potassium, which is found in bananas, aids in controlling your body's electrolytes and reducing inflammation, thereby reducing acidity.

To use bananas as a heartburn remedy, eat one or two ripe bananas per day. You can eat them by themselves or add them to a smoothie or yogurt. If you find that ripe bananas don’t help your heartburn, you can try eating green bananas instead. Green bananas have a higher concentration of antacids than ripe bananas.
 

6. Ginger

Ginger is another effective home remedy for heartburn. Ginger helps to improve digestion and can also help to reduce inflammation in the digestive system. You can take ginger in the form of capsules, powder, or tea. You can also add ginger slices to your food or drink it in the form of juice.

Ginger is a well-known spice that has been used for centuries to treat heartburn and other stomach problems. It is also used in a variety of Asian recipes. Ginger is an herbaceous plant with yellow flowers and red stems. It has a pungent smell and taste that comes from essential oils called gingerols. Gingerols are found in the roots, stems, leaves, flower buds, and fruit of the ginger plant.

Gingerols are known for their anti-inflammatory properties which make them helpful in treating gastrointestinal problems like heartburn or ulcers.

To get the most benefits out of using ginger as a natural treatment against heartburn, it should be taken before or after eating food or drinking alcohol to reduce bloating and gas buildup.

Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory agent that helps soothe the lining of the stomach and intestines. You can make ginger tea by adding fresh ginger to boiling water or you can chew on fresh ginger slices. You should drink this tea at least twice a day for the best results.
 

7. Calcium salt of citric acid

   Calcium citrate is usually added to food items to preserve them for a longer period. Acid reflux generally occurs after a night meal. You can stir 150gm of calcium citrate in a glass full of water and drink it. Drinking this liquid after meals, especially at night time has been proven effective.

   Calcium citrate absorbs just like calcium carbonate but does not require much stomach acid to break it down as compared to calcium carbonate. You can take this either with food or on an empty stomach. It is best suited for people who are advised to take acid-reducing medicines for heartburn.
 

8. Chamomile tea

Another home remedy for heartburn is chamomile tea. A hot cup of chamomile tea may be an excellent beverage choice if you suffer from acid reflux because it helps to lessen the amount of acid in your stomach, which calms down your tense stomach muscles. Chamomile has soothing properties that can help to reduce stomach acid and ease heartburn symptoms.

The benefits of chamomile tea are now well-known and popular. It is a great way to reduce stress too as it consists of bioflavonoids or phytonutrients, giving the tea strong antioxidants that work to counteract the effects of stress on the body and prevent acid reflux.

Chamomile also assists in keeping the food flowing through your digestive system without upsetting it by preventing your stomach from pushing acid back up your throat. Additionally, chamomile tea lessens anxiety and can stop acid reflux attacks brought on by it.

Chamomile tea is among the world's most popular herbal teas. It has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for many ailments as it has great anti-inflammatory properties.

Along with treating colic and diarrhea, the tea also helps with digestive problems like irritable bowel syndrome. Studies show that the consumption of chamomile tea prevents secondary hyperacidity more effectively than antacids.

It is made from the dried flowers of chamomile plants and has been shown to be effective in treating some of the most common ailments, including heartburn. The plant’s Latin name is Matricaria recutita, which means “may it cure again” or “mother against inflammation”.

The leaves and flowers are harvested when they are in full bloom and then dried in order to make the tea. Chamomile contains a number of active ingredients, such as flavonoids, coumarins, terpenes, and phenolic acids that have been found to have healing properties.

The medicinal properties of the chamomile plant are well-documented in the scientific literature and have been used for centuries to treat various ailments.

The therapeutic effects of chamomile are attributed to its high content of apigenin, an anti-inflammatory compound. Chamomile also contains flavonoids, which have been shown to reduce inflammation in the gut lining. Additionally, it has been shown to increase the production of mucus in the gut which can act as a protective barrier against unwanted substances entering through the GI tract.

In addition to these benefits, chamomile has antispasmodic effects on smooth muscle tissue and may help relieve some symptoms. Chamomile tea is a popular home remedy for heartburn.

It is thought to work by calming the smooth muscles of the digestive tract. This can help to reduce the symptoms of heartburn, such as pain and burning. Chamomile tea is available in most grocery stores. It can also be made at home by steeping chamomile flowers in hot water for several minutes.

9. Fennel tea

Fennel tea is a natural remedy for heartburn. It can be consumed in many different ways, such as the following:

• Brew fennel seeds in hot water and drink it
• Add fennel to your food
• Drink fennel tea
• Mix crushed fennel seeds with honey and eat it

It has been shown to be effective in relieving symptoms of heartburn, such as acid reflux, heartburn and indigestion.

In order to make fennel tea, add one teaspoon of the dried herb to a cup of boiling water and let it steep for five minutes before drinking. Drink this tea two or three times per day to help relieve heartburn symptoms.

This tea is made from the seeds of the fennel plant. It has a licorice - like taste and is rich in antioxidants.

Fennel tea is also used for indigestion, colic, and morning sickness. It is often used as an antacid, and it can also be taken as a preventative measure to avoid heartburn. The fennel plant has long been known for its medicinal properties, and has been used in herbal remedies since the Middle Ages.

You can also take fennel supplements if you prefer. These are available in capsule or tablet form at most health food stores.
 

10. Peppermint tea

Peppermint tea is a perfect cure for heartburn. The peppermint essential oil in the tea helps to soothe the digestive tract, relaxes the stomach muscles and also reduces inflammation.

The peppermint essential oil in the tea helps to soothe the digestive tract, relaxes the stomach muscles and also reduces inflammation. Peppermint tea is a perfect cure for heartburn.

Peppermint oil has been shown to relax the smooth muscle that lines the digestive tract. This can assist to alleviate heartburn problems.

Peppermint tea is also thought to have antispasmodic properties, which can help to relieve stomach cramps. Add one teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves to a cup of boiling water to make peppermint tea. After five minutes, filter and drink.

Peppermint has historically been used to treat non-ulcer and functional dyspepsia, sometimes known as indigestion. It has been demonstrated in multiple clinical trials to alleviate the symptoms of indigestion and discomfort produced by it without causing any negative effects.

However, no research has been undertaken to determine how it helps to alleviate indigestion. Several other peppermint benefits mentioned later can be linked to its overall capacity to treat indigestion, but the fundamental digestive action has yet to be established.

Peppermint oil combined with caraway oil has been shown to be the most efficient in treating indigestion when compared to all other peppermint treatments.

Conclusion

“Prevention is better than cure” - Always try to eliminate heartburn from the root itself by taking some preventive measures followed by some corrective measures. There are a few simple things that you can do to avoid heartburn in the first place. These are as simple as wearing loose clothes at night after dinner. Any sort of extra pressure near the stomach area may lead to acid reflux which is the root cause of heartburn.

The conclusion for preventing heartburn using home remedies is that one should not consume spicy foods or have a heavy meal before bed.

A variety of causes can contribute to heartburn, including:

• Eating too much food
• Eating at night
• Smoking
• Drinking alcohol
• Taking certain medications
• Being overweight or pregnant
• Certain foods (spicy foods, fatty foods, citrus fruits)

There are many other home remedies for heartburn that you can try. These include eating smaller meals, avoiding spicy and fatty foods, avoiding caffeine, chewing gum and taking probiotics. The best way is to avoid the triggers that are known to cause this problem. If you cannot avoid them, then try some of the home remedies.

These remedies are natural and safe for everyone to use. Some people find that these remedies work better than over-the-counter medications because they have fewer side effects.

Some home remedies are as simple as drinking water and others are a little more complex, but they all have the potential to be effective.

Other than the above mentioned remedies, there are some more things that you can try. If you feel heartburn, just warm a spoon of honey and swallow it slowly or mix a spoonful of honey into chamomile tea and drink it. This will provide relief.

Almonds are also a great way to get relief from symptoms of heartburn. Just grab some almonds and eat them. You will notice the pain fading after some time. You can also have some almonds after every meal of the day to avoid recurring heartburn.

It is truly said, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Eating apples can save you from the burning sensation caused by heartburn. It helps to neutralize the excessive acid present in your stomach which is causing heartburn.

Buttermilk is proven to be effective against painful symptoms of heartburn. Drink chilled, refrigerated buttermilk when you feel any discomfort or burning sensation. It will instantly provide you relief from the pain or burning sensation.

Chewing a few basil leaves can actually help you get some relief from the burning sensation in the chest area.

Cinnamon has also medicinal values proven effective to cure symptoms of heartburn. You can add crushed one tablespoon of cinnamon into a cup of hot boiling water and drink it. This is supposed to provide relief.

Chewing garlic can help you provide instant relief in case of emergency. Garlic is one such item which is easily found in every household and does not require any preparation before its intake. You can directly chew them without much effort.

Acid reflux can be cured by a tablespoon of mustard with a glass of water.

To prevent recurring heartburn, pineapple juice after every meal is here to save you from a painful moment.

Milk has the tendency to lower down the burning sensation. Drink chilled milk in order to get rid of burning sensation in either chest or stomach immediately.

Do not take the symptoms lightly, even after adopting these home remedies in your lifestyle, you do not feel a change in your situation then taking a doctor’s advice is the best remedy. Although these home remedies do not have any side effects which medications might have, natural products are a little slower in showing their effectiveness.

Regularly adopting them in your life may lead you to a healthy and a balanced lifestyle.

Try to use natural antacids or over the counter medicines to relieve symptoms. Heartburn is a common problem but it doesn’t have to be a part of your life.
 

References

Khresheh, R., 2011. Strategies used by Jordanian women to alleviate heartburn during pregnancy. Midwifery, 27(5), pp.603-606.

Oliveria, S.A., Christos, P.J., Talley, N.J. and Dannenberg, A.J., 1999. Heartburn risk factors, knowledge, and prevention strategies: a population-based survey of individuals with heartburn. Archives of Internal Medicine, 159(14), pp.1592-1598.

Sinclair, A., 1994. Remedies for common family ailments: 1. Indigestion and heartburn. Professional Care of Mother and Child, 4(1), pp.23-24.

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