In this article, we bring you best home remedy for heartburn. Heartburn is a tender, burning sensation in the chest or throat. It occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. It is a tube which carries food from the mouth to stomach. The burning is mostly in the upper and central part of the chest, behind the sternum. The burning can increase or can trigger on by lying flat or on the right side. If you are suffering from heartburn more than a week or two, you may have the gastroesophageal reflux disease. But you can suffer from GERD without having heartburn.
Causes of Heartburn:
Some common foods we eat and drink, instigate increased stomach acid discharge setting the stage for heartburn. Medications can also precipitate heartburn. Here is the list of a few of these irritants:
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Ibuprofen
- Chocolate
- Aspirin
- Acidic foods and juices.
- Carbonated beverages.
- Naproxen
Smoking and the intake of high-fat saturated foods tend to influence the function of the lower esophageal sphincter, creating it to ease from the stomach and allow acid to reflux into the esophagus.
A hiatal hernia is a portion of the stomach, which lies within the chest instead of the abdomen can affect the way the lower esophageal sphincter works and is a threat element for reflux. Hiatal hernias by themselves have no symptoms. It is only when the lower esophageal sphincter fails that heartburn arises.
Pregnancy can cause increased pressure within the abdominal cavity and affect the lower esophageal sphincter function and predispose it to reflux.
Obesity may also cause extended pressure in the abdomen, and thus reflux in the same way.
Primary diseases like scleroderma and sarcoidosis of the esophagus can also present with heartburn as a symptom.
Symptoms of Heartburn:
- Difficult swallowing.
- A chronic cough.
- Stomach pain in the upper abdomen.
- A persistent sore throat.
- Regurgitation of foods in the throat.
- Persistent hoarseness or laryngitis.
- Diet and few lifestyle changes can trigger heartburn for many people.
- Heartburn is very common during pregnancy.
Home Remedy for Heartburn
Contents
- Home Remedy for Heartburn
- 1. Baking Soda as a Home Remedy for Heartburn
- 2. Sip Aloe Juice Home Remedy for Heartburn
- 3. Chew Gum as a Home Remedy for Heartburn
- 4. Eat Carefully to Avoid Heartburn
- 5. Get More Acid to Cure Heartburn
- Directions:
- 6. Eat a Banana or an Apple as a Home Remedy for Heartburn
- 7. Make Ginger Root Tea as a Home Remedy for Heartburn
- 8. Mint as a Home Remedy for Heartburn
- 9. Milk as a Home Remedy for Heartburn
- 10. Retain a Healthy Weight to Avoid Heartburn
1. Baking Soda as a Home Remedy for Heartburn
A 1-2 spoonful of sodium bicarbonate can help put an end to the pain, burning, the sensation of heartburn due to acid reflux. Baking soda can help your reflux and can help in prevent or cure heartburn because of its base properties. It neutralizes the stomach acid as it has a pH higher than 7.0.
You will Need:
- 1/2 or 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- A glass of water
Directions:
- Mix a 1 teaspoon of baking soda into a glass of water, not more than 8 ounces.
- Stir it and drink all of the mixtures.
- Don’t use this remedy for more than a week, because of the high quantity of salt in it and which can have side effects such as swelling or nausea.
2. Sip Aloe Juice Home Remedy for Heartburn
Aloe is a remedy which is used to soothe burns. It can also be able to help with heartburn too because it reduces inflammation. That means when your tummy starts getting irritated and inflamed, or your esophagus is getting eaten away at, a glass of aloe juice may be just the solution for heartburn.
You will Need:
- 1/2 cup aloe juice
Directions:
- Drink a ½ cup of aloe juice before meals.
3. Chew Gum as a Home Remedy for Heartburn
A study showed that the people with symptoms of GERD or chronic heartburn have experienced relief when from chewing a piece of sugar-free gum for at least 30 minutes after a meal. This is because chewing gum helps neutralize the acid. It activates the salivary glands, and increase the flow of saliva. Hence soothes the heartburn sensation.
You will Need:
- 1 piece of sugar-free gum
Directions:
- After a meal, pop in a piece of sugar-free gum and chew for 30 minutes to help area off heartburn.
4. Eat Carefully to Avoid Heartburn
See How You Eat: Don’t gasp mouthfuls of food. Take smaller bites and chew slowly, give time to digest stomach and without giving an excuse to pump out extra acid.
See What You Eat: You must be aware of that specific food which triggers heartburn, usually foods high in acid or spicy foods. Avoid these as best you can.
See when you eat: Don’t eat 3-4 hours before going to bed. Lying down creates more pressure on your LES and increases the acid sneaking through.
5. Get More Acid to Cure Heartburn
Although, acid reflux is caused by not having enough acid in the stomach. It is the acid that helps the lower esophageal sphincter to tighten itself and close it off. If your stomach doesn’t produce enough acid, your lower esophageal sphincter is going to think it’s no big thing to loosen up for a little bit. Then, you get a reflux of acid into your esophagus. If you suffer from heartburn, try drinking some pure, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to prevent your reflux, or cuts it off.
You will Need:
- 3 teaspoons or 1 tablespoon of unfiltered apple cider vinegar
- 6 to 8 ounces of water
Directions:
- Mix 3 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar into 6-8 ounces of fresh water.
- Drink the solution.
- You can drink this before each meal (might be the most effective.
6. Eat a Banana or an Apple as a Home Remedy for Heartburn
Bananas carry natural antacids which can work as a shield against acid reflux. If you want to try out this simplest home remedy for heartburn, try letting a few bananas ripen up nicely and eating a banana every day. Banana is an effective home remedy for heartburn.
Another choice is to try an apple a day. Slice an apple up and eat it a couple of hours before jumping on your bed to relieve or prevent discomfort due to acid reflux or heartburn.
7. Make Ginger Root Tea as a Home Remedy for Heartburn
Ginger root tea is a perfect home remedy for heartburn. Ginger root can help soothe up a number of stomach problems, from nausea to heartburn. Drinking a cup of tea about 20 minutes before a meal can help cool down your tummy and act as an acid shield.
You will Need:
- 3 quarter sized slices of ginger root
- 2 cups of water
Directions:
- Slice up 3 quarter sized pieces of ginger root
- Stew gently in 2 cups of water for 30 minutes.
- Remove the ginger pieces, or leave them, pour into a glass, and drink it all about 20 minutes before a meal.
8. Mint as a Home Remedy for Heartburn
Mint is an effective remedy for treating indigestion and heartburn. As it aids digestion and has calming properties.
Directions:
- Add one tablespoon of crushed mint leaves to a cup of water.
- Leave it for about 30 minutes.
- Drink it at least three times a day.
- You can also chew fresh mint leaves to prevent heartburn. But, do not take it if you are suffering from acid reflux.
9. Milk as a Home Remedy for Heartburn
Taking a glass of cold milk can be a simple home remedy for heartburn symptoms. Milk soothes the valve between the stomach and esophagus. If you don’t like milk, you can try other dairy products. This home remedy is very effective for people who experience heartburn on rare occasions.
10. Retain a Healthy Weight to Avoid Heartburn
Healthy weight decreases the risk of GERD. Being overweight can create many health issues like heartburn or acid reflux etc. An overweight person suffers from heartburn because extra pounds will put pressure on your LES. It will be more likely to loosen, and over time it may simply weaken.