Home remedies for heartburn (acid reflux) offer a natural and inexpensive option heartburn relief. Many of these revolve around behavior and lifestyle changes as well as herbs and other natural ingredients. Read on to learn some home remedies for heartburn relief.
Home Remedies for Heartburn Relief
A few common home remedies for heartburn include the following:
Elevate the head of the patient's bed. This is one of the home remedies for heartburn proposed by the Mayo Clinic (see resources below). Elevating the head of the bed six to nine inches will put gravity to work when the patient lies down to sleep. This serves to let gravity keep the stomach acids from traveling up into the esophagus. The bed can be elevated by placing blocks of bricks or cement under the feet of the head of the bed.
Change eating habits. Heartburn can be controlled by eating smaller portions, eating frequently throughout the day and eating dinner early. The patient should also avoid foods that trigger heartburn such as fatty, fried foods, alcohol, caffeine and carbonated beverages.
Chew gum after a meal or as soon as the heartburn starts to stimulate the secretion of saliva. The burning sensation caused by heartburn occurs when stomach acid travels up the esophagus. Saliva is slightly alkaline, and can stop the burning from the acid coming up. Chewing gum is one if the home remedies for heartburn that the patient can use on the go.
Stir half a teaspoon of baking soda into a cup of water and drink this quickly. This is one of the most widely renown home remedies for heartburn.
Suck on a tablespoon of honey before bed or when symptoms start to soothe the heartburn. Honey is used widely for its soothing effect on sore throats, and wound healing properties. A coat of honey may also sooth the esophagus.
Put a few thin slices of fresh ginger into a cup of water. Microwave for one to two minutes. Let it stand for a while. Add honey and sip while it is warm to sooth the burning sensation caused by heartburn.
Sip a cup of chamomile tea if the heartburn symptoms worsen with stress. Chamomile tea not only calms nerves and helps with getting some good sleep, it also relaxes the muscles in the digestive tract, relieving some heartburn symptoms. The tea can be sweetened with honey if desired
See a doctor if heartburn occurs more than twice a week or gets so uncomfortable that it interferes with one's lifestyle. This may indicate a more serious condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is characterized by persistent heartburn can lead to serious complications , including serious damage of the esophagus and esophageal cancer.
Join the Conversation