Home Remedies for Heartburn

Many people suffer from heartburn, including me. I had it so bad that I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with acid reflux disease. The doctor first put me on Prevacid and it helped for a while but after taking it for so long my body got used to it and it seemed as though I got immuned to it. So he put me on Prilosec OTC and it seems to be working great.

Of course there are ways to prevent heartburn by not eating foods such as pasta, chocolate, drinking soda, and spicy foods like chili. However, most of us do not want to quit eating these foods, I refused to quit eating them so I take Prilosec OTC every day to keep the heartburn away.

There are other ways of treating heartburn such as home remedies. For example, did you know you can sooth your heartburn with your very own saliva? I did not know this and it surprises me. It is said to be one of the cheapest and most effective ways of treating heartburn. Research has shown that residual acid is neutralized by swallowed saliva. Not only does your spit buffer acid but swallowing also increases the muscular contractions of your esophagus, which moves acid back into your stomach where it belongs.

By simply chewing gum, you can increase your saliva. In addition, British researchers discovered that chewing gum can double the flow of saliva and shorten the amount of time the esophagus is bathed in acid. So next time you have heartburn, try chewing a piece of gum. It can not only help relieve heartburn but also indigestion as well. I have always wondered why my mom used to tell me to chew a piece of gum when I had a stomachache. Now I know why it works!

Herbal Tea

Anything that washes stomach acids out of the esophagus is beneficial. Sipping tea slowly might be just the trick, especially if it is herbal tea that has a calming effect. People have been using many things for indigestion such as caraway seeds, catnip, lemon balm, licorice, and sage but the two favorite herbs are chamomile and ginger.

Ginger

Ginger tea is another excellent source for treating heartburn. Ginger has a long history of easing nausea and upset stomach. You can make your own brew by getting fresh ginger root and shaving off 1 inch of the skin. Then grate the shaved ginger into a mug and pour boiling water over it. Let it steep for a few minutes, strain and remove the grated ginger. Add whatever you want for taste and sip it slowly. This will increase saliva production and help wash down any residual acid in the esophagus. An important note to remember, however, is for those who are taking blood thinners may be more vulnerable to bleeding.

Chamomile

Chamomile is renowned for easing digestive distress and when sipped slowly can help rinse away stomach acid and relieve heartburn. It is important to know, however, that an allergic reaction is uncommon but could lead to rash, stomach cramps, or difficulty breathing. Also, if you are allergic to ragweed or chrysanthemums you should not use chamomile because it is from the same family.

Mustard

This might come to a surprise to you but some people have tried a teaspoon of mustard when suffering from heartburn and have found it to be very helpful. I would assume mustard would only make it worse since it is spicy but one reader of the book, Best Choices from the People's Pharmacy, says it works for her and her husband. Well I guess we learn something new everyday.

Other strange heartburn remedies include vinegar and hot peppers. Very strange indeed considering vinegar is acidy and hot peppers are so hot they cause heartburn, but some people have been told by their doctors that vinegar helps relieve heartburn. It is recommended to dilute the vinegar before trying this remedy. Some people say to try 2 teaspoons of diluted apple cider vinegar, and they say it worked for them so if nothing else works try vinegar!

Hot peppers are usually a no-no for heartburn sufferers but some people have tried it and say the burn is beneficial for treating heartburn. According to some research, they may be right. Apparently, capsaicin, the hot stuff in hot chili peppers can protect the stomach lining.

Baking Soda

One of the oldest, cheapest and fastest treatments for heartburn is good old-fashioned baking soda. It is recommended to dissolve ½ teaspoon of baking soda in a ½ glass of water and take every 2 hours or as directed by your doctor. However, it is important to know that if you are age 60 or over, you should not take more than 3 ½ teaspoons in 24 hours and do not use the maximum dosage for more than 2 weeks. Baking soda is high in sodium and it is not safe for those with high blood pressure, congestive heart failure or for anyone on a sodium-restricted diet.

Another big warning is to not use this remedy after you eat too much. There are several reports of spontaneous rupture of the stomach. Please use this remedy with caution.

Try these home remedies and find the right one that works best for you. The chewing gum remedy to build up saliva seems the safest bet to me.