Natural Home Heartburn Remedies

It seems that everyone is talking about the need to use natural acid reflux heartburn remedies but you seldom see actual recipes for these cures. Many of these time tested cures are rooted in folklore or oriental medicine. Conventional medical practice is to use either standard ant- acids or one of new prescription medications to control acid reflux and heartburn. Many natural medicine advocates and herbalists warn that taking a steady diet of ant-acids will lead to aluminum toxicity. However most credible research indicates there is no danger from taking ant-acids that contain aluminum unless you have other chronic illness. Never the less many people plain do not want to put anything unnatural into their bodies and natural remedies will give relief to these heartburn sufferers.

We researched a good many different home and natural remedies that are still in frequent use. We have listed these below for your use. We make no claim as to their effectiveness only that the people who provided the remedies claimed that they were very effective for relieving their acid reflux heartburn. All used ingredients that are found in the home or in the local health food store. It should be more or less obvious that if you are not eating or drinking properly, chewing tobacco or smoking, ingesting lots of caffeine or citrus, abusing alcohol or any other activity that will exacerbate your heartburn symptoms, it less likely that these remedies will be effective. In addition if you are suffering from GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, LES (lower esophageal sphincter) muscles problems, ulcer, chronic heartburn or any advanced form of Gastro Reflux Disease you need to see a physician that specializes in treating acid reflux disease. Delaying treatment can lead to a more serious condition.

  • Almonds: Eating almonds have reduced heartburns symptoms when taken prior to meals and an hour before bedtime.
  • Bananas: Bananas have a natural ant-acid in them that provide heartburn relief. Dried and powder bananas are available and at time more convenient to use.
  • Pineapples are a storehouse of enzymes and contain bromelain, an enzymes that breaks down proteins. Pineapples facilitated digestion, reduce inflammation, and supports wound healing. The fresh juice has a high level of enzymes that will help you stop your acid reflux. It is reported that using fresh pineapple provides better results.
  • Pineapples are a storehouse of enzymes and contain bromelain, an enzymes that breaks down proteins. Pineapples facilitated digestion, reduce inflammation, and supports wound healing. The fresh juice has a high level of enzymes that will help you stop your acid reflux. It is reported that using fresh pineapple provides better results.
  • Raw fruits and vegetables in particular diced apples, carrots and white potatoes are reported to give relief to heartburn pain. Several people have used this remedy for many years with reported success.
  • Vinegar is an acid in itself but it is the number one natural home remedy reported to us. That includes Apple, Japanese and white formulas. Most report that it burns going down the esophagus but once it reaches the stomach the pain and discomfort of acid reflux ends immediately.
  • Chamomile can be found in most health food stores. It is commonly used to make a tea by simmering 1 teaspoon of licorice root powder in a cup of water for about 15 minutes then add 1 tablespoon of chamomile to the pot and cover and let brew for another 10 minutes. Use a tea strainer to remove grounds and then drink while warm. It is reported that this works well as a daily therapy for acid reflux heartburn.
  • Licorice as mentioned above has long been used to treat the symptoms of heartburn. Sold in health food stores as DGL deglycyrhizinated licorice) it comes in the form of gum, chewable tablets or powder. The powder or tablets are usually dissolved in warm water, and then this composition is drunk. Again this remedy is usually most effective when taken as a preventative on a daily basis. As with all licorice it can temporarily raise your blood pressure.
  • Anise, Peppermint and lavender tea has been a popular home remedy for many ailments including reducing the symptoms of acid reflux. It reportedly reduces that amount of acid in your stomach. Boil two cups of water and pour over a tea strain filled with equal amounts of aniseed, peppermint and lavender. Let it steep for about 5 minutes then further strain out the grounds ad a few drops of honey. The prescription calls for drinking this tea with breakfast and again in the evening prior to retiring for the night.
  • Anise is considered a powerful herb that is used for many ailments including heartburn. Apparently there are many types of anise and it is recommended that you use sweet, European, or green anise and avoid star and caraway varieties. Some people have reported that using a couple of drops of anise oil in their morning green tea has help reduce acid reflux symptoms.
  • Peppermint was the second most common home remedy given to us in our search. Many heartburn suffers carry peppermint candies in their pocket and use these to sooth the burning sensation of heartburn. Health food stores have a number of peppermint products that provide an increase dosage of this herb. These in clued drops. Gum and tablets. Reported benefits include reduction of gas, bloating, cramps while improving digestion.
  • Lavender, also an herb is known to increase proper digestion while healing the damage that comes with acid reflux. It is most commonly used in teas.
  • Chicory is a bitter herb that contains the compounds of endive and escarole. Used to make teas it is best taken twice a day, once in the morning and again in the evening to reduce the effects and discomfort of acid reflux heartburn. Chicory can also be added to fresh salads as well.
  • Papaya is a fruit of the tropics but also is grown in south Florida. It can be found in some grocery stores. The enzymes in this fruit have been used for hundreds of years for stomach disorders. The best result come from eating the fresh fruit with breakfast. Jellies made from papaya are also reported to give relief to the symptoms of heartburn. Some health food stores carry papaya related products including papaya enzyme that may be affective as well.
  • Turmeric is found in most curried foods. Someone suffering from heartburn would naturally tend to avoid spicy foods, however turmeric is known to aid in digestion and reduce stomach acid levels. It most commonly used in cooking but it is available in capsules. Taken prior to each meal it has been reported to stop or reduce the symptoms of acid reflux.

These are just some of the many natural home remedies that were reported to us during our research. Again all these remedies were reported to us as effective in reducing or stopping acid reflux heartburn symptoms. Each of us is an individual and as such will find that what remedy works well for one individual will not for another. As a result you will most likely have to try several of the above outlined remedies that will work for you.

As we stated in the beginning, if you are suffering from severe acid reflux disease in the form of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, LES muscle problems or chronic heartburn you need to contact your physician for a proper diagnosis. Failure to do so made lead to a more serious condition like esophageal cancer. According to the many people who contacted us, these time tested natural remedies do indeed work for many people with ordinary acid reflux heartburn disorders.

James Kesel, MS

http://www.heartburnscures.com/

Acid Reflux Heartburn Information

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Non acidic alcohol drinks – wine story

Having heartburn sucks, but what sucks even more is not being able to relax with friends having a pint of beer or shot of vodka.

All web sites recommend completely avoiding alcohol when having heartburn. But at the same time they claim that heartburn is a life long condition. Well does it mean you will have to avoid alcohol for the rest of your life? No way!!!

We already know that wine in moderation is good for your health. But wine is the most acidic liquid you probably can find around except vinegar. And it will definitely cause heartburn in 3-5 minutes after consuming.

Many wine lovers with heartburn just try to stand the pain and take tiny pieces of pleasure before heartburn starts. But I doubt that it is really fun experience. So if you love wines you can try following.

For one month switch from usual red wines to sweet wines. Right, you probably never heard what the heck is that. No – it is not only ports (even though ports are nice ;) ). There are lots of sweet and semi-sweet wines which are very very popular in certain parts of Europe. And yes, it is not that hard to find them in US.

If you think that these wines taste like grape donut – you’re wrong! I personally respect such wines much much more than any sour ones. Good sweet wines taste better than lots of dry wines.

So if you want to get full list of such wines please go to “wine list page” where I have a list of wines which are very tasty and won’t hurt your stomach.

Please note that an alcohol is still an alcohol – so drink it in moderation. Even too much of sweet or semi-sweet wine could put your stomach on fire.

But just imagine – drinking glass of wine and not having heartburn. And if you won’t have it for a month – there is a very good chance you can start drinking dry wines in moderation too. Just don’t drink too much.

Check out more remedies from heartburn and heartburn safe food at my remedy database and food database

Chocolate, heartburn and your esophagus

I recently found quite an interesting paper on chocolate and esophagus. It looks like chocolate does decrease LES (lower esophagus sphincter) pressure :( … The way they propose to deal with it is to either take some antacids together with chocolate or bethanechol

I don’t like this solution. I just want to eat chocolate, just a chocolate alone!

Here is an abstract for your reference:

The adverse effect of chocolate on lower esophageal sphincter pressure

Lewis E. Wright and Donald O. Castell

Abstract: Decreased lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure after ingestion of chocolate has been previously noted. We have further evaluated the effect of chocolate on the known ability of gastric alkalinization or bethanechol to increase LES tone. 9 normal subjects were studied using an infused open-tip recording system. Pressure was monitored for a 15-min basal period, and for 60 min after ingestion of 120 ml of chocolate syrup either alone or with the concurrent administration of commercial antacid, oral bethanechol, or subcutaneous bethanechol. After chocolate ingestion, mean basal LES pressure of 14.6±1.1 (±SEM) mm Hg decreased significantly (P<0.01) to 7.9±1.3 mm Hg. An identical LES response occurred when antacid was given with the chocolate dose. Oral bethanechol (25 mg) and chocolate together resulted in lesser decreases in LES pressure. Subcutaneous bethanechol (5 mg) and chocolate produced significant increases (P<0.05) in sphincter pressure, although of lesser magnitude than reported with bethanechol alone. These results indicate that the adverse effect of chocolate on the LES is not reversed by gastric alkalinization and suggest that bethanechol in sufficient dose may overcome chocolate-induced decreases in LES pressure.
Check out more remedies from heartburn at my remedy database

Natural remedies for gerd / Heart burn cures

Here is a list of what I think are the best out of home remedies for heart burn.

1) Slippery elm – it rocks! Make a tea out of slippery elm powder and it will coat your stomach with protective mucilage. I always have this powder with me and if I feel that heart burn is about to begin I take one cup before going to sleep. Note: take it warm – NOT hot, otherwise you can get opposite effect (hot liquid relaxes LES).

2) Oatmeal cereal – yeah it helps a lot too. If you have heart burn for a while try switching to cereal for a while. It may help. Just don’t forget to eat something else because oatmeal is not very nutritious.

3) Some warm water. Not such good effect as from slippery elm tea – but can be good enough if you don’t have anything else.

Read more about slippery elm in other sections of this site.

Check out more remedies from heart burn at my remedy database

Baking soda for heartburn?

Will baking soda work for heartburn or not? Yeah it will but only for a very short time. In response to alkaline environment created by baking soda your stomach will try to produce more acid which will then cause even more pain.

So use it only when it really hurts badly. Otherwise try some warm water to dilute acid. It is a longer term solution.