Essential Home Remedies for Quick Relief from Heartburn
In the case of heartburn, the stomach acids are pushed back into the esophagus. This leads to a burning sensation in the chest.
One of the most important natural heartburn cures is calcium. It is also an essential ingredient in most antacids. It is best to consult the doctor if such acid reflux occurs frequently. Frequent heartburn can also lead to other issues such as inflammation.
Changes in diet
One of the best home remedies for heartburn is following a proper diet. Avoid processed foods and foods with excess sugar. These worsen acid reflux and create an imbalance of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Instead, eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Certain probiotic supplements can also be taken to aid in digestion.
Apple cider vinegar
The acid levels in the stomach are to be enhanced to help in digestion. One of the ways to do this is to have apple cider vinegar. For proper digestion, the pH in your stomach should be around 1-2. Vinegar is an acid with a pH of around 5. So, it helps reduce the heartburn by lowering the pH of the stomach contents. The vinegar makes the stomach contents more acidic, and so it aids in improving digestion. It also reduces the buildup of pressure that may lead to an acid reflux. The level of acidity of the stomach contents is high so as to prevent the food from fermenting in the stomach.
Apple cider vinegar is a great choice of vinegar. With certain brands, you also get the added benefits of probiotics. To use this, you can add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to one-fourth cup of water and have it. You need to repeat this every five minutes until the heartburn reduces. Alternatively, you can take a shot of this before meals to prevent an acid reflux.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice is one of the easiest home remedies for heartburn as it simple to make. With a pH of around 2, lemon juice is more acidic than vinegar. It also has a lot of nutrients, in particular, vitamin C. And so, besides helping with heartburn it also provides a host of other nutrients. It is even more beneficial than apple cider vinegar and is a recommended cure for heartburn.
You need to have both lemon juice and apple cider vinegar, several times for it to be effective. Using it once may not be sufficient. You will have to consume more than two glasses of lemon juice. For this cure to work, you need to have lemon juice directly for it be effective instantly. Alternatively, it can be diluted in one-fourth cup of water and consumed.
Since lemon juice is highly acidic, people tend to worry about its impact of the enamel of the teeth. However, unless the consumption is frequent or on a daily basis, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Betaine HCl
The main component of stomach acid is Hydrochloric acid or HCl. Once you eat or drink, the parietal cells in the stomach walls secrete HCl into the stomach. However, as you age and the level of stress, deficiency of nutrients, and other factors, the stomach may cease to produce sufficient HCl. Lack of sufficient HCl for digestion may lead to fermentation of the food and pain leading to heartburn.
Betaine HCl can be used even before a situation of heartburn arises as an effort to prevent it in the first place.
Supplements for digestive enzymes
Maintaining an appropriate level of enzymes is essential so as to help digestion. You can ensure this by taking supplements for digestive enzymes.
Baking soda
This is one of the simplest home remedies for heartburn. You can have baking soda mixed in a glass of water. If you have high blood pressure, you should consult your doctor before having the solution.
Herbal remedies for heartburn
A more natural cure to heartburn is through a combination of herbs. There is a solution called Iberogast which is a combination of 9 different herbs. These include caraway, angelica, German chamomile, lemon balm, clown’s mustard plant, greater celandine, milk thistle, peppermint, and licorice. Studies have shown that Iberogast can relieve heartburn if administered in the right combination and appropriate amounts.
Milk
Drinking milk can also help the stomach produce acids, and so evidently relieve heartburn. However, you should not have excess milk or drink more of it when your stomach is full. This may tend to exacerbate the situation.
A change in the lifestyle can help avoid and relieve heartburn. Avoid caffeine, soft drinks, processed and fried foods. Regular exercise also helps in digestion. Also, you should eat food at intervals instead of having large meals at a time. Over eating should be avoided. Do not eat right before you go to bed. Adhere to a healthy diet in general, and have lots of fiber-rich foods. On doing so and following some home remedies for heartburn, you can keep the gastrointestinal tract healthy and prevent heart burns.