Best 12 Natural Remedies for Heartburn
12 effective home remedies for treating heartburn and providing you quick relief
There might’ve been days when you stuff your stomach with plenty of food or binge on extreme spicy foods nonstop. Consequently, you might feel a burning sensation in your heart which would definitely make you feel very uncomfortable, led by pain and nausea.
You might end up thinking that you’re having a heart attack but let me assure you that the problem that you’re experiencing is actually heartburn, heart attack is very different from heartburn so, you don’t really need to worry because we’ve gathered the best and quick 12 natural remedies for heartburn.
Before we proceed forward to the 12 natural remedies for heartburn, let’s talk about what heartburn actually is.
What is heartburn? Heartburn is the burning feeling in your chest, followed by excruciating pain. It may last for a few minutes but sometimes even hours.
It is a symptom that you experience due to various conditions such as acid reflux, pregnancy or a chronic disease known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Heartburn is really common; oftentimes people experience it occasionally.
According to a survey of 2021, conducted in Poland, 12% of respondents from a total of over 3 million suffer from heartburn several times a month. However, if this condition persists for a long period and quite frequently, visit a doctor as you’d most likely be suffering from GERD.
Below we’ve shared the causes of heartburn during pregnancy or due to acid reflux, the symptoms of heartburn due to both conditions and the most effective 12 natural remedies for heartburn during pregnancy and acid reflux.
Heartburn Causes
Heartburn causes due to pregnancy:
Pregnant women would occasionally experience heartburn as its one of the major symptoms of pregnancy. Here are the reasons or causes why pregnant women suffer from heartburn;
- Heartburn due to changes in hormones.
The hormone “progesterone” causes heartburn to happen. When progesterone levels increase, the lower esophageal valve loosens causing the acid in the stomach to move towards your chest, causing heartburn.
- Heartburn due to growth of baby:
As the baby continues to grow, the uterus dilates causing the stomach to compress and resulting in heartburn.
Heartburn causes due to acid reflux:
Heartburn takes place when the acid in the stomach moves back up to the esophagus tube towards the chest. This could happen if the lower esophageal muscle acts irregularly or becomes weak. The possible causes for such a reaction could be:
- Heartburn due to certain foods:
Foods like onions, citrus fruits, caffeinated or carbonated beverages and spicy food.
- Heartburn due to obesity:
When you’ve a habit of eating in huge amounts, the excessive weight and food in the stomach causes the acid of the stomach to backflow.
- Heartburn due to stress and anxeity:
Stress and anxiety trigger the acids in your brain, following the impact to the acids in the stomach and causing heartburn.
Heartburn Symptoms
Heartburn symptoms during pregnancy:
- Feeling pain and burning sensation in your chest.
- Burping many times.
- Your stomach will look bloated or you’d feel satiety in your tummy.
- Nausea
Heartburn symptoms due to acid reflux:
- Pain and burning in the chest
- A bitter aftertaste in your mouth or throat, it’s because of the stomach acids.
- Bloating
- Nauseous feeling followed by vomiting
- Burping frequently
- Dry cough
12 Natural Remedies for Heartburn
Below are the 12 natural remedies for heartburn, experienced due to pregnancy or most likely acid reflux.
- Heartburn relief with ginger:
The first most effective natural remedy for heartburn is ginger. It’s anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce any gastrointestinal irritation, cuts down the stomach acids to backflow to the chest, providing an instant relief of heartburn.
How to use ginger for heartburn:
- Cut a small square of ginger and peel it. Chew the ginger raw with some honey to cut down its spicy aroma in the mouth.
- You can also peel some ginger and make ginger tea with it! Crush the ginger and add it in boiling water. Let it boil for 15 minutes then consume while hot.
2. Apple cider vinegar for heartburn:
ACV has great properties for improving digestion and fighting against inflammation.
However it should be noted that it should be intaken in a very small amount, else huge amounts could in some cases worsen the acid reflux.
How to have ACV for heartburn:
Take a gss of water and add a teaspoon of ACV in it and half tsp of honey.
3. Almonds:
Almonds have rich oils which are good to soothe the burning in your chest and absorb the stomach acids providing relief for heartburn.
How to have almonds:
Consume them raw or have almond milk.
4. Bananas for acid reflux:
Bananas being low-acid fruit, it helps to combat acid reflux producing a covering for the irritated intestine. Due to rich fiber content, it helps to digest food and puts indigestion off bay therefore resulting in heartburn relief.
How to have bananas for acid reflux:
Eat one ripe banana. Make sure it’s ripe as unripe bananas could worsen the acid reflux.
5. Buttermilk:
Buttermilk is the quickest way to cure acid reflux and heartburn. The lactic acid and its detoxing properties help to fight against the stomach acids and normalise them.
How to have buttermilk for heartburn:
Simply take milk, preferably almond milk and put a tablespoon of lemon juice in it. Keep it aside for 5 minutes and then consume it.
6. Jaggery for heartburn:
Due to its high magnesium content, I added jaggery in the 12 natural remedies for heartburn list. This property helps to boost the strength of intestines. It provides a cool effect in your stomach, and aids indigestion quite instantly.
How to have jaggery for heartburn:
Take a small cube of jaggery and suck on it when you feel the symptoms of heartburn.
7. Yoghurt for heartburn:
Yoghurt has probiotics that help to normalize the intestinal function. It leaves off a cooling sensation because it has proteins which soothes the uneasiness in the stomach and heart.
How to have yoghurt for heartburn:
Simply have a bowl of fresh yoghurt. You can add some jaggery in it to sweeten the taste.
8. Peppermint chewing gum:
Peppermint has relaxing properties that can help to soothe the discomfort. Consuming chewing gum will produce more saliva which according to research cuts down acidity in the stomach.
You can buy peppermint chewing gum from any local store near you and allow it to do its magic for your heartburn.
9. Milk with honey:
The American Pregnancy Association declared that milk with honey helps to normalise heartburn. Honey itself is a great source of relieving acidity due to its antioxidant properties. Milk with honey can lower down the inflammation in the esophagus.
How to have milk with honey for heartburn:
Take a glass of milk and add a tbsp of honey in it. Mix it and devour the warm glass of milk with honey.
10. Watermelon for acid reflux:
Watermelon is a low-acid fruit which proves to cater to indigestion. It reduces the heartburn sensation and puts you out of discomfort. It is a great way of treating acidity and relief for heartburn due to its cooling properties.
How to have watermelon for heartburn:
Cut a watermelon slice and have it or consume watermelon juice.
11. Mint leaves for heartburn:
Mint leaves are the best source of cooling properties. It can reduce the content of acid in your body and improve the digestion process. Hence, it works great for relief for heartburn.
How to have mint leaves for heartburn:
Make a mint drink by blending mint leaves, some lemon and pepper and a glass of water together. Add ice cubes and consume it.
12. Coconut water for heartburn:
Coconut water can help with acid reflux and control the pH levels in the body. It is rich in fiber which helps with providing a cooling sensation.
How to have it for heartburn:
You can get a coconut and take out fresh coconut water from it or it is easily available at stores.
7 Tips To Avoid Heartburn
- Avoid having carbonated beverages as the carbon dioxide gas present in them gives rise to acid reflux and heartburn.
- Avoid eating raw onions as it may increase irritability in your bowel and cause heartburn.
- Avoid eating before sleeping or laying right after eating as the food needs time to digest and this may raise the symptoms of heartburn.
- Avoid having foods that promote acid reflux and even caffeinated drinks.
- Eat meals in smaller portions so that our stomach can quickly digest the food before our next meal.
- Exercise as this lowers the chances of heartburns and acid refluxes.
- Eat more fiber and protein foods.
Takeaway:
Heartburn is something that can be controlled and avoided, if we practice the above mentioned tips closely and lead a healthy lifestyle.
However, every once in a while we might experience a heartburn especially due to overeating and for such instances we’ve given you the most effective and quick 12 natural remedies for heartburn, so do try them out!