Home Remedies For Heartburn

Heartburn is the burning sensation or abdominal discomfort one feels after a meal. This is more so after a large meal, particularly if one lies down. Symptoms include mild nausea, excessive gas, a burning sensation behind the breastbone, fullness in the upper abdomen, acidity and belching. It is generally caused by eating, drinking, excessive smoking, and even emotional upsets.

Symptoms can be combated with the following home remedies:

Keep a food dairy to see which foods give you heartburn and avoid eating them as far as possible.

Avoid fatty, fried and spicy foods - these have been known to cause heartburn. Stay away from chocolate or at least reduce the amount you eat. Go for a short walk after your meals as this aids digestion and also stimulates the digestive system. Some people find that a glass of cold milk provides lasting relief. If this does not work, try diluting the milk so that it is half-strength as this will be easier to digest. Munching on a handful of almonds after your meals is one of the most effective home remedies to prevent heartburn. Steer clear from onion, pepper, garlic and radish. Include plenty of green leafy vegetables in your diet and make sure that you chew your food well as this aids digestion. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day. This will help to keep excess stomach acids diluted which will help to alleviate acidity and heartburn. Bananas are a natural antacid that help with heartburn. Boil a few peppermint leaves in water for 4-6 minutes. Add honey to this and sip it slowly. Sweet lemon juice before a meal can help prevent heartburn. Avoid foods that increase production of stomach acid, namely citrus fruits, tomatoes, coffee, caffeinated drinks. Avoid smoking as nicotine irritates the stomach lining and gives rise to heartburn.

Alcohol can irritate the stomach too. Limit or avoid it altogether. Fresh papaya or fresh papaya juice is very effective for treating heartburn. Never lie down or go to sleep immediately after a meal. Your posture has an effect on your digestive system and so you need to make sure that you sit up straight when having your meals. You should avoid skipping meals and try to follow a regular schedule when it comes to your meal timings. Green tea assists in digestion and soothes the stomach lining as well. Eat foods that are rich in fiber as these absorb excess acid and gas. Eating ginger along with a meal has proved to be beneficial too. You can also have ginger tea or mix 500 mg of ginger with water. Apples also help to cool the burning sensation as they are acid neutralizers. Make sure you eat them with the skin on. Add turmeric to your food as it helps in digestion and prevents acid from building up. Medication will provide temporary relief. It is best to follow these home remedies for heartburn on a daily basis in order to deal with this problem.

Submitted on January 16, 2014