Natural Heartburn Treatments

Natural Heartburn Treatments

Natural heartburn treatments are reputedly the best treatment methods for heartburns, gerd and acid reflux. There are probably dozens of over-the-counter (OTC) and prescribed medications and drugs such as:

1. Acid suppressing medicines

2. Ulcer healing drugs

3. Antispasmodic drugs

4. Antacids

5. H2 blockers

6. Foaming agents

7. Proton pump inhibitors

8. Prokinetics

9. Alginates

These OTC medications and drugs neutralize the stomach acids, reduce acid production or prevent the flow of acids to the esophagus. While they are effective, they are likely to be palliative, ie does not deal with the root cause of heartburn to prevent recurrence and you have to constantly depend on them to suppress your heartburn condition. There have been reported side effects such as allergies when using the medications.

Natural heartburn treatments tend to be curative in nature. Other than relieving you of the symptoms, they also treat the root causes, hence bringing you long term healing. That said, not all can completely treat heartburn without you making appropriate changes to your lifestyle and dietary habits. Both have to complement each other.

1. Natural Heartburn Treatments – Diet

a. Avoid foods like have relaxing effect on the sphincter muscle that stands between the stomach and the esophagus. Foods like nuts, caffeine, greasy foods, peppermint and chocolate have that effect.

b. Avoid carbonated beverages like sodas and other gassy drinks as they induce belching which forces the acid juices up the esophagus.

c. Avoid eating 2 – 3 hours before sleeping time. Allow the food to be digested long before you sleep so that the acid juices do not have a chance to flow upwards.

d. Consuming fibrous foods like breads and cereals and vegetables like celery, potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce and peas would improve absorption of digestive juices and gas.

2. Natural Heartburn Treatments – Sleeping Posture

Tilt the head of your bed such that it is inclined. When we are sleeping, it is easier for the digestive juices to escape to the esophagus so by adjusting the bed, it prevents acid reflux.

3. Natural Heartburn Treatments – Lifestyle Habits

a. Smoking triggers heartburns especially after a heavy meal. So avoid that.

b. Wear loose clothing and belts. Tight clothing adds unnecessary pressure on our stomachs and forcibly pushes the digestive juices up.

c. Losing weight for obese folks would relieve the pressure on the stomach exerted by the organs. This reduces any chance of the acidic juices from surging upwards.

4. Natural Heartburn Treatments – Home Remedies

a. Ginger

Ginger is one age old ingredient used in natural heartburn treatments. It can be cooked and consumed together with your food. Grind it and mix with lukewarm water and drink the refreshing juice.

b. Water

Drinking lots of water help to dilute the stomach juices and also aids discharge of toxins naturally and quickly from our bodies.

c. Green Tea and Other Herbal Teas

Drinking green tea is helpful as it aids digestion. Herbal teas like chamomile, ginger and peppermint tea have been found to be useful in stomach tissue repair. Drinking tea after dinner can effectively prevent heartburns.

d. Licorice Extract

Licorice extract is an ingredient used in natural heartburn treatments. It is extremely effective in protecting your gastrointestinal tract against acid reflux or GERD.

There are many other natural heartburn treatments. Some are not documented and not widely tested and are therefore not reported here. Find out about secret natural heartburn treatments that would completely cure you of your heartburn problems in a totally natural and safe way.