Homemade Heartburn Remedies

According to WebMD.com, approximately 10% of Americans are affected by heartburn, or acid reflux, on a weekly basis. Heartburn occurs when stomach acid slips upward out of the stomach through the lower esophageal sphincter and, consequently, produces a burning sensation in the esophagus itself. Left untreated, this condition can lead to esophageal damage and other complications, so it's important for heartburn sufferers to seek relief.

While changes to diet and other lifestyle factors can alleviate heartburn for many people, such changes are not always possible or effective. As such, acid reflux is usually treated with a variety of over-the-counter and prescription drugs, and while most of these medications DO generally halt the symptoms of heartburn, they have their health drawbacks and can be expensive. For those suffers who want to avoid the chemical treatment route, several homeopathic options exist.

Below are some of the best of these do-it-yourself reflux treatments, but remember that acid reflux can be a serious condition (or an indicator of one), and you should consult your physician to determine your best options before treating yourself. web site, ginger can be used to help prevent or treat acute reflux by relaxing the walls of the gastrointestinal organs. And, since it seems to be effective in many of its forms (powdered, candied, liquid, capsules), ginger is readily available in your kitchen cabinet or at your local grocery store.

Ginger

Of all homemade heartburn remedies, ginger is one of the most convenient. According to the eHow.com web site, ginger can be used to help prevent or treat acute reflux by relaxing the walls of the gastrointestinal organs. And, since it seems to be effective in many of its forms (powdered, candied, liquid, capsules), ginger is readily available in your kitchen cabinet or at your local grocery store.

Water

Even more convenient than ginger, water can sometimes provide quick relief for mild cases or heartburn. Drinking a glass or two of water when you feel the familiar burn of reflux can help wash the acid back into your stomach.

Goldenseal

Goldenseal lists among its many health benefits some specific effects which can alleviate acid reflux, according to the Nutra Legacy web site. Like ginger, goldenseal can help to calm the entire digestive track and may help to lower gastrointestinal acid levels. Nutra Legacy reports that goldenseal and its extracts may be useful for prevention AND acute treatment of heartburn.

Papaya

The Health Journal at bodyandfitness.com reports that papaya contains copious amounts of digestive enzymes that might help prevent the indigestion that can lead to acute bouts of reflux. Eating papaya before or with certain foods that give you trouble (which you should avoid anyway!) may save you some discomfort. Other fruits that fall into this category are pineapples and kiwis.

Potato Juice

This one may sound a little odd, or even a bit gross, but the Natural Healing Guide web site suggests drinking potato juice for heartburn relief and overall gastrointestinal health. What is potato juice, you ask? The Natural Healing Guide recipe entails soaking a potato in salt water overnight and then drinking the strained liquid in the morning. The theory here is that the alkalinity of the potato will help to neutralize stomach acid and reduce heartburn effects.

Chamomile

Chamomile can soothe and calm the digestive track, and its calcium content can help to reduce stomach acid, according RefluxAcidHeartburn.com, a web site devoted to homeopathic heartburn treatments. Chamomile is also known for its overall calming effects, so it might be a good before-bedtime choice for the heartburn sufferer.

Other traditional heartburn remedies such as peppermint, aloe vera, and licorice are shrouded in a bit of controversy, as some observers report that they either exacerbate reflux symptoms or induce side effects that may be unacceptable for some people. You can research these and other potential treatments at a web site like WebMD.com, and, as with all cases of self-treatment, you need to talk to your doctor before you head down any particular nutritional path.

Resources:

WebMD.com

eHow.com

BodyAndFitness.com

RefluxAcidHeartburn

Natural Healing Guide

Nutra Legacy